JJAMM Week was a tremendous success last week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and students who involved themselves in the variety of College activities, celebrating the values of Mary MacKillop and highlighting community spirit and fellowship within our College community.

Mobile Phone Policy

I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents and carers of the College’s mobile phone policy. This policy has been carefully constructed and is based on contemporary and significant research about the disruption of mobile phones to student learning. Please take the time to read the following extract article taken from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper dated 14 August, 2022, by Lucy Carroll.

High school phone ban ‘more urgent than ever’ amid pressure on teens

A blanket ban on mobile phone use in NSW high schools is “more urgent than ever” after years of academic disruption and soaring screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic, warns the psychologist who led the 2018 review into mobiles in schools. Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg told the Herald that restricting phones in secondary schools is critical to cut distraction, deal with rising cyberbullying and help students catch up academically after months of isolation.

His position on the issue had hardened since the 2018 independent review into phones in NSW schools, he said,  after seeing the “deleterious effects of children being immersed in social media and technology” during remote learning.

“Banning phones in high schools from first bell to last, including recess and lunch, would be an investment in students’ mental health,” he said. “Kids have been saturated in technology and psychological problems have accumulated.”

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder

The purpose of the Mobile Phone Policy is to ensure the safety of students, promote appropriate and safe use of mobile phones within College grounds, and encourage interaction and communication without distractions.

Below are the key elements of the policy:

• All mobile phones are to be out of sight (stored in the student’s locker), switched off or on silent (not vibrate) as soon as the student enters the College front doors of a morning.
• No phones (including in pockets) during exams.
• Mobile phones can only be used on College grounds once students have been dismissed out of their classroom by their teacher after the end-of–school-day bell rings.
• If a mobile phone is sighted on school grounds from the moment the student walks into the College front doors, for any reason, they will have it confiscated immediately by staff.
• Refusal to give a confiscated phone to a staff member will automatically result in a Thursday Afternoon RAP detention.
• Continued abuse of this policy may result in further consequences.
• The school accepts no responsibility for replacing mobile phones that are lost, stolen or damaged whilst on school premises.
• If students need to contact their parents/carers they are to go to Student Services and request to use a phone.
• If parents/carers need to contact their daughters they can call the College reception on 9725-4322 and a message will be passed on to their daughter.

Student learning is a three-way process which involves parents, students and teachers. It is vital that we support one another so that your daughter is learning and achieving her potential. We appreciate the support of parents in having their daughter’s adhere to this policy and ask that you please do not text or call your daughter throughout the day.

Thank you for your continued support. If you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Mrs Christine Harding