Our Policies

Mobile Phones

The increased ownership of mobile phones requires that school administrators, teachers, students and parents take steps to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly.  This Policy is designed to ensure that potential issues, such as adhering to school rules and mobile phone etiquette can be clearly identified and addressed; ensuring the benefits that mobile phones provide (such as increased safety) can continue to be enjoyed by our students.

Rossbourne School has established the following Policy for mobile phones in the school environment that provides teachers, students and parent’s guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of mobile phones.

In order for students to bring a mobile phone to school, students and their parents or guardians must first read and understand the Policy.

The Policy for mobile phones also applies to students during school excursions, camps and extra-curricular activities.

Rational for Parents

Personal safety & security

Rossbourne School accepts that parents provide their child with a mobile phone to protect them from everyday risks involving personal security and safety.  We understand the concern regarding children travelling alone on public transport or commuting long distances to school.  It is acknowledged that providing a child with a mobile phone gives parents reassurance that they can speak with their child quickly, at any time they are travelling to and from school.

Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, the Rossbourne School office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly and assisted in any appropriate way. 

Should an urgent need arise and a student feels he or she must contact a parent/guardian during school hours they are directed to advise their class teacher and in turn, go the school office to be further assisted.

RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones onto school premises to adhere to the guidelines outlined in this document.

The decision to provide a mobile phone to their children should be made by parents or guardians.

Permission to have a mobile phone at school while under the school’s supervision is contingent upon parents/guardians permission in the form of a signed copy of this policy. 

THEFT or DAMAGE

Students are required to mark their mobile phone clearly with their name.

The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones whilst the student is travelling to and from school.

INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT

Students with mobile phones may not engage in personal attacks, harass another person or post private information about another person using SMS messages, taking/sending photos or objectionable images and phone calls.  Students using mobile phones to bully other students will face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the Principal.

It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person.  As such, if action as sanctioned by the Principal is deemed ineffective, as with all such incidents, the school may consider it appropriate to involve the police.

This policy will be reviewed as part of the Rossbourne School policy review cycle.
September 2020

‘STUDENT’ MOBILE PHONE POLICY AGREEMENT STATES

• Students must switch off mobile phones upon entering the campus.

• Students are to pass their phone to their class teacher for safe-keeping, at the commencement of the school day (8.45am).

• It is then the individual student’s responsibility to collect his/her phone from the class teacher at dismissal time (3.30pm) each day.

• Any student in breach of the above protocols will have their phone confiscated and returned at the end of the day.