04 Nov 2021
In June of 2018, the NSW Minister of Education announced an independent review into the non-educational use of mobile digital devices. In December of 2018, the NSW government announced that in response to the recommendations made by the review the use of mobile devices during school hours will be restricted in NSW public primary schools, and NSW public high schools can also opt into this restriction. Following advice and extensive consultation from many North Coast high schools, Maclean High School has opted into this restriction which will take effect starting Week 6 Term 1 2021. The school will be utilising a system called YONDR, which uses a pouch that is locked with a magnetic device in order to ensure mobile digital devices are not used on school grounds during the day. Each pouch will have its own unique ID number. Students will be given a pouch which then becomes their responsibility.
Normal Operating Procedures
Students are expected to use the unlocking stations each morning as they enter to unlock their pouch, turn their device off and place it inside. The pouch must remain locked throughout the day. At the end of the day, students should proceed to the unlocking stations to unlock their pouches. No unpouched device is permitted on school grounds once a student is on site. Student YONDR pouches should be closed and locked at all times except when adding or removing their devices at the beginning and end of the school day. The attendance office will also have its own unlocking station that can be used for late arrival/early departure unlocking by staff. Unlocking stations will only be available until 9:15am each morning. They will be secured until 3:15pm, when they will again be made available. This includes wireless earphones/headphones. When sighted these devices will be treated in the same manner as other banned electronic devices. Wired earphones/headphones may be used during class times ONLY as per teacher instructions when accessing learning activities with video content.
Recess / Lunch / Breaks
Electronic devices are to remain in locked YONDR pouches on school grounds at all times.
Early Leavers
Students who leave school early will be able to unlock their devices at the Attendance Office when signing out.
Teacher Behaviour
Teachers are asked to not have their devices out during class, including marking rolls. Teachers are in the best placed position to model device free behaviour to students. Teachers may choose to participate in the program and have their devices in YONDR pouches when working with students. If a staff member must access an electronic device, eg a PDHPE teacher marking their roll in the field, that staff member should explain why they are using the device.
Excursions
Phones should not be locked in pouches where students will be off site for a substantial time or unlikely to return to school at the end of the activity. This process will be at the discretion of the staff member supervising each excursion. Phones are not to be used while on excursions except for emergency unless directed by the supervising staff member. Where this instruction is not given, any use of phones will be considered a breach of the policy and actions outlined above may take place. Mobile unlocking stations may be available to use on the day.
When a device is sighted by staff
The teacher must ask for the device to be placed into the pouch. If it is locked, the student will need to visit a Deputy to arrange unlocking. If a student refuses, the teacher will contact the Deputy Principal. Refusal will be regarded as disobedience under the school’s procedures and will be dealt with accordingly.
What happens to confiscated devices?
Devices are considered the property of parents and guardians and are placed securely in the school’s Front Office. Parents and guardians will be contacted by the Deputy Principal when students have breached the Policy and had their phone confiscated. Parents and Guardians will be informed of the consequence (Warning of Suspension letter or Suspension) and told that the phone will be released to the student at the end of the school day. Where contact cannot be made with the parent or guardian, the device will be released to the student at the end of the day and Parent/Guardian contact made as soon as possible thereafter.
Damaged or lost pouches
Students who have lost or damaged their pouch are not to bring their device to school until they have organised a replacement pouch. If a student’s device is seen, staff will follow the procedure outlined above. This also includes pouches defaced with offensive graffiti. Students are required to pay a nominal fee of $15 for the replacement of the damaged or lost pouch. The school will keep a minimum float of reserve pouches. Students who need their device before or after school but have damaged or lost pouches can hand the device to the front office each morning where it will be kept according to the procedures listed above.
Evacuation / Emergency
Additional unlocking stations kept in the front or attendance office will be taken to the assembly point in the event of an evacuation. Students will only be allowed to unlock their devices during a genuine evacuation.
Medical Use
In special circumstances, a student may be required by a physician to have an electronic device available so that they can self-monitor a condition, eg diabetes. Where alternatives are not available, specific medical usage may be facilitated at school. Such need will be determined on an individual basis and will form a part of that student’s individualised Health Care Plan (HCP). Parents/carers need to contact the school in this instance to assist with the formulation of the HCP. However, these students are expected to abide by the school’s expectations regarding phone use otherwise.
YONDR Inspections
At various times during the year all students’ YONDR pouches will be inspected to ensure they are still functional. As the students enter the school grounds in the morning, students may be asked to present their YONDR pouches. Primary focus will be on function and obscene graffiti. Student’s pouches that cannot be quickly unlocked and locked will be either surrendered and billed OR replaced as determined by a nominated staff member. It is the student/parent/carers responsibility to replace the pouch if it is damaged at a cost of $15.
Mr Greg Court
Principal.