Mobile Phone Use Policy

At Cannington Community College, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and focused learning environment. To achieve this, our school follows the Department of Education’s Mobile Phone Policy, which restricts student phone use during school hours.

Our approach balances the need for students to stay connected with their families outside school hours, while ensuring that learning, wellbeing and respect remain the priority during the day.

“Off and Away All Day”

Between 8:40am and 2:50pm, all mobile phones and electronic devices must be turned off and away. This includes during class time, recess and lunch. The policy also applies to:

• Smart watches (phone calls and messages disabled)
• Earphones, earbuds and headphones (unless specifically approved for a lesson)
• Other personal devices used for communication or entertainment

Students may use their phones before 8:40am only, after which devices must be switched off and put away.

Use in Classrooms

Mobile phones are not to be used in classrooms unless a teacher gives explicit permission for learning purposes. Examples of permitted use include:

• Accessing web-based materials
• Taking photos of lesson notes or projects
• Recording approved classroom activities

When permission is granted, students must follow teacher instructions carefully.

Exemptions

We understand that in some cases mobile phones are necessary. Exemptions are allowed when:

• A phone is required to monitor a medical condition as part of a health care plan
• A device is used for teacher-directed educational purposes
• A support plan, approved by Student Services, allows access for wellbeing reasons
• Students use phones for tap-and-go payments at the canteen (no account transfers allowed)

All parent–student communication during school hours must go through the school administration office.

Breaches of the Policy

If a student does not follow the Mobile Phone Policy, the following steps will apply:

1. First offence – Phone is handed to the teacher, stored at Student Services, collected at the end of the day.
2. Second offence – Phone is handed to Student Services, and parent/guardian must collect it.
3. Third offence and beyond – Student will be suspended for 1 day.
4. End of Term – All breaches reset.

⚠️ Serious Misuse: Using a phone to film, photograph or record others without permission is considered a serious breach and will result in immediate consequences in line with our Behaviour Management Policy.

Our Vision with Technology

At Cannington Community College, we want students to become responsible digital citizens. By keeping phones off and away all day, we create a learning space free from distractions, where respect, engagement and safety come first.

Our goal is simple: to guide students in making responsible choices about technology use at school and beyond.