ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY

Electronic devices are a feature of our community. Many parents/caregivers feel they are an essential part of their duty of care.

Whilst students are at school they come under our duty of care. Part of this duty of care is to ensure that electronic devices (mobile
phones, ipods, MP3/MP4 players and gaming devices) are not used inappropriately and therefore do not interfere with teaching
and learning, nor are part of any harassing behaviour.

The following guidelines form the PGHS policy on electronic devices:

Mobile Phones

 The school recommends that mobile phones are left at home.

 If necessary, students are permitted to bring their mobile phone to school. However, phones are strictly not to be switched on
or visible during Home Group, lesson times and the change over between lessons.
 As part of our duty of care, the school needs to be aware of and involved in any parent/caregiver communication with their
children whilst students are at school.
 The school requires that parents/caregivers wishing to contact their children whilst they are at school, phone the School (8258
9855) and not use their children’s mobile phones for contact.
 Students must not contact their parents/caregivers without informing appropriate staff at PGHS (e.g. if they feel ill,
Student Services staff will contact parents).
 For non-urgent matters students can use the phone at Student Services for a small cost after school, at recess and lunch.
 In emergency situations, parents can contact the school and messages will be passed on to students. Similarly, students will be
able to use a school phone in emergency situations for no cost.
 If students are found to be using a mobile phone during Home Group or lesson times, it will be confiscated and locked away in
Student Services. Details will be recorded, a detention issued and phones can then be collected at the end of the day.
 The use of mobile phones for text messages or photos to bully or harass any person in the school is the same as any other type
of bullying or harassment. It will lead to consequences within the school’s behaviour management plan, including possible
suspension.
 Under exceptional circumstances (such as special medical conditions or family emergencies) mobile phones may be permitted,
but this must be negotiated in advance with the principal.
 Internet access through the school’s wireless network will be provided to students free of charge. The student will assume
responsibility for complying with the PGHS “Computer network and Internet acceptable use policy” as published in the Student
Diary.
 Students agree to only view, listen to, or access, school appropriate content on their mobile devices while at school. Due to
copyright, content such as music is not to be transferred to other devices or the schools computer network. The School Principal
retains the right to be the final arbitrator of what is, and is not, appropriate content.

To implement this plan, it is recommended that teaching staff model this policy. Teachers are discouraged to use their personal mobile
phones during lesson time. Leadership staff (with school mobile phones) may – due to a range of circumstances – need to answer their
phones during lessons.

Ipods, mp3/mp4 players and gaming devices

 The school recommends that these electronic devices are left at home.
 These devices are strictly not to be used or visible during care group, lesson times and the change over between lessons.
 If students are found to be using these devices during Home Group or lesson times, it will be confiscated and locked away in
Student Services. Details will be recorded, a detention issued and these devices can then be collected at the end of the day.
 Repeated failure to abide by the school’s policy regarding electronic devices will result in parental contact and internal
suspension/suspension or banning an individual student from bringing their mobile device to school (through negotiation with the
student’s parent/caregiver).

Year 12 students during supervised study time are permitted to use electronic devices (with earphones) while studying ‘silently’ on the
A-Floor. No music should be heard by teaching staff and mobile phone use is only permitted during break times.

As with most non-essential personal items (such as mobile phones, ipods and MP3/MP4 players) our school cannot take responsibility
for the safety of such items and encourages students to leave these electronic devices at home.

Student Signature: _______________________

Parent Signature: ________________________ Date: ____________

T/A South Australian Government Schools

CRICOS PN 00018A