Changed Rules re Mobile Phones at school
As I outlined last week in Behind the Green Gate, we are going to change the rules around the use of mobile phones by students on the school grounds. I did outline the reasons for this last week, but, in summary, we have been concerned over recent times about a much greater increase in the use of mobile phones at school, a seeming increase in students’ dependency on them, and just the plain distractibility of students too. Deep learning and meaningful relationships can’t occur if you are checking your phone every few minutes. And having to make some smaller decisions on your own, to problem solve or demonstrate a sensible approach to life’s little difficulties will help develop maturity, resilience, and independence.
When students arrive at school each day, the girl is to put the phone in their locker or in their school bag. It is to remain in this place throughout the school day, and not checked or used at all.
We do understand that parents and students do communicate with each other about how the student is going to get home, or if sport training is cancelled on an afternoon, etc. Girls can check their phone for messages at 3.10pm at the end of the school day and send a message to parents if arrangements have changed then. Of course, parents can check Twitter if they want to know if Sport training is cancelled due to weather conditions etc. And we would encourage families to have thought through and communicated a “Plan B” with each other if it looks like sport might be cancelled due to wet weather.
If there is some urgent communication needed throughout the day, then the General Office is the way to do this. We will allow girls to ring home from the General Office if necessary, and we will pass on messages to girls from home if this is needed.
We do understand that there are a small number of occasions when teachers would like the girls in the Secondary School to use their phone in class for educational purposes. The girls will be sent from class to get the phone and will be given the time to return the phone to their lockers before the end of that period, so that there is no possibility that the girl has the phone on them at any other time.
We understand that some girls are using their mobile phone or smart watch to purchase items from the School Cafeteria. This will no longer be allowed. There are other ways to pay at the cafeteria – there is another article in this newsletter which outlines this.
From Monday 9 May, if girls are found to have their mobile phone on them between the hours of 8.10am and 3.10pm, it will be confiscated and given to the General Office or Primary Office. This will apply even if they were not actually using it; for example, if it is in their pocket or pencil case, etc. If their phone is confiscated, they will be able to retrieve it at the end of the school day, and they will be given a penalty point. If a girl has their phone confiscated more than once or twice, we will be talking with parents about this, and further action will be taken.
Girls and parents should also understand that filming on the school grounds, on any device at all, including the school laptop, is not to occur without a teacher’s express permission. This includes making TikTok videos using the school device (or indeed any device).
It is also important for each girl to understand some of the activities which we regard as particularly serious. Under no circumstances should mobile phones ever be switched on or used inside toilets or change rooms. No-one is ever to take still or moving images of any person or audio recordings of any person without their express permission beforehand. The school will take swift and strong action against any student not following these clear rules.
Every member of the SCEGGS community (girls, parents and staff) has the right to feel safe and comfortable within the school community. If a student receives any inappropriate communication, this should be kept on the phone and be reported immediately to Class Teachers, Form Teachers or the Year Co-ordinator.
Jenny Allum
Head of School
I am very pleased to announce that Ms Laura Connolly has been appointed to the senior position of Director of Student Wellbeing here at SCEGGS. As part of the School Executive, she will be responsible for providing educational leadership within the school in student wellbeing; overseeing the wellbeing care, guidance, and growth needs of each student. I know she will contribute strongly to all areas of the work of the School. I am looking forward to working with her closely and watching as our student wellbeing and intervention programs evolve and strengthen.
In the heat of lockdown last year, every minute of the day 3 million disposable face masks were thrown away across the world. This sums up to 129 billion face masks disposed of globally, every month into landfill. Although face masks are not as prevalent in our society today, due to the relaxation of restrictions, it is still highly recommended at certain events such theatre performances and other hot spots. The problem with a disposable face mask is that it is not recyclable, and when in landfill, the plastic inside takes 450 years to break down. This is the same length of time for one plastic bottle to break down.
