Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School

Important: Updated Mobile Device Usage Policy in 2025

Each year we learn more about the impact of mobile phone use on our social and emotional wellbeing. Following a comprehensive review of the growing body of research into mobile phones in schools, we initiated a series of conversations to understand the perspectives of our school community. This included listening to the views of our staff, students and families.

While we recognise the ubiquity of mobile technology in society and its educational potential, we believe that at present the negative impacts of mobile devices outweigh the positives. As educators, we see daily the distraction and addictive behaviour they produce, and appreciate the danger in providing a constantly available channel exposing students to social pressures and bullying, as well as age-inappropriate content including pornography and gambling. Tech companies have developed apps with features designed to maximise user engagement, often leading to addictive behaviours. This makes it challenging for adolescents to resist using these apps during school hours, impacting their focus and academic performance, their developing social skills and their sense of connection to their peers.

Consequently, we have revised the Cranbrook Digital Agreement with regard to mobile devices in the Senior School. Moving forward, the School will be broadly aligned with approaches taken by most schools in NSW.

• Any mobile devices – including mobile phones and smart watches – must be kept switched off and in lockers during the entire school day.

• Students failing to follow this rule will have their mobile device confiscated and will receive a half-hour detention. Devices may be collected at the end of the school day.

• Where a student has their device confiscated more than three times in a term, the device will need to be collected from School Reception by the student’s parents or carers.

• Should families need to contact students, this can be done through their School email, or in case of an emergency, by calling the School.

This week, our students in Y7-Y12 have been informed of the changes to the policy related to mobile devices in advance of the 2025 academic year.

We believe that this approach is aligned with the great majority of our School community, and ask for your support in helping students build positive digital habits.

Should you have any questions about the implementation of this approach, please contact myself or Bob Meakin.

Angelique Sanders
Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School