Calrossy has become one of the first schools in the region to ban the use of all smartphones during school hours.
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The ban applies to students from year seven through to year ten, and includes the use of devices during recess and lunch breaks, as well as in classrooms.
Principal David Smith said that the change has been in the pipeline for some time, and has been implemented for a variety of reasons.
“There has been a lot of research, but it is also our teachers wanting to maximise learning in the class – we need the kids to be present and focussed,” Mr Smith said.
“We were finding that both students and teachers were getting distracted, and we want them to be present and to relate to people.”
The ban comes in the wake of Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham calling on all schools to implement the ban in order to combat the ever growing presence of cyber bullying.
While Mr Smith confirmed that bullying did play a “small role” in the decision, it had more to do with students “finding that balance to control their devices rather than be controlled by their devices.”
“It is a challenge for all of us – phones and communication devices are part of the world now. We need to prepare the kids to be good digital citizens and to develop habits and skills where they can put these devices to good use.”
While the majority of parents have come out in support of the change, the new rules were met with a mixed reaction from students.
Student Isabella Cameron was shocked to hear the news, but can understand the reasons behind it.
“I didn’t see it coming at all, I just thought phones would always be allowed,” she said.
“It is a good idea in theory and it will let us connect with more people at school, I just hope that they are not too strict on it.”
Meanwhile class mate Tamar Leibenson, who has only had a phone for a month, completely backed the idea.
“People get so caught up in phones and don’t talk face to face anymore,” she said.
“Technology shouldn’t replace humanity.”