Penrhos College student Genevieve Blair.
Camera IconPenrhos College student Genevieve Blair. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

More schools ban mobiles

Emma Clayton, Melville TimesMelville Gazette

For those who have had them in their hands for most of their lives, it is hard to imagine how to socialise without them.

Penrhos College recently banned the use of mobile phones during lunch and recess to encourage students to talk to each other more and Year 11 student Genevieve Blair, from Applecross, can see an improvement already.

‘It has really helped the younger girls who have grown up with technology,’ she said.

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‘They are really starting to talk more and engage with each other.’

Murdoch Secondary College principal Diana McGivern said many students travelled long distances to and from school, and mobile phones gave their parents reassurance of their safety.

‘Students know that it would be disrespectful to their teacher and their classmates if they were to use them for personal purposes during lessons,’ she said. ‘During recess and lunch, they use them at their own discretion.’

All Saints’ College principal Belinda Provis said the school emphasised the importance of face-to-face communication and didn’t allow mobile phones at school during the day.

‘We actively and regularly discuss with our students matters of social etiquette, so that our young people are aware of what society regards as respectful behaviour,’ she said.

‘We talk with students about the timelessness and importance of good manners ” using people’s names, having strong eye contact, opening doors for elders and so on.’

Melville Senior High School principal Phillip White is ready to increase the amount of time students use phones at school, but only as a learning tool.

‘In 2014, we are progressing to a BYO Digital Device policy and will encourage students to bring a suitable digital device, such as an iPhone, to school so the many useful applications available on a mobile phone or tablet can be used in the classroom as part of our learning and teaching program,’ he said.

Santa Maria College principal Ian Elder said the school’s policy was for phones to be used for educational purposes only at school, such as taking photographs as part of course work.

‘While they are not to be used for texting or making phone calls during the day, we are not naive enough to believe this does not occur,’ he said.

‘We will not make rules that cannot be enforced and have been pleased with the way the girls have accepted the challenge and trust that we have given them.’

DetailsThe Melville Times spoke to our localhigh schools to find out what theirmobile phone policies were.All Saints’ CollegeMust be stored in lockers from themoment students arrive in the morninguntil the end of the day.Applecross Senior High SchoolAllowed before and after school, atrecess and at lunchtime, but must beswitched off during lessons.Leeming Senior High SchoolAllowed at recess and lunchtimes.May use phone applications duringclass, but are not to use it as a phone.Melville Senior High School‘Not seen, not heard’ policy in theclassroom, but allow mobile phones tobe used at recess and lunch.Murdoch Secondary CollegeAllowed during recess and lunch, andat the students’ own discretion.Santa Maria CollegeCan be carried, but must be on silent.Not to be used for texting or