Mobile Phone Policy
St. Brigid’s National School
Trafalgar Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Introductory Statement
This policy was drawn up in response to the technological advances that have seen a significant increase in the use of mobile phones amongst the school population over recent years.
Rationale
- Mobile phones are intrusive and distracting in a school environment. Strategies need to be in place to reduce the intrusiveness of unauthorized technology in a school setting.
- Mobile phones may be used to conduct bullying campaigns.
Relationship to School Ethos
The use of mobile phones and contravenes the provision of a safe and secure school environment conducive to learning, a provision that is central to the ethos of St. Brigid’s.
Aim: To lessen intrusions on and distractions to children’s learning.
Internal School Procedures
The following are the guidelines for mobile phone and electronic games
Where a pupil brings a mobile phone to school, the phone must be kept in the student’s school bag at all times.
It should be switched off during the school day and should not be used, for any purpose, on school premises, grounds or during off-site school activities (such as school swimming or sports activities).
Children who need to contact home during school hours may do so through the school secretary using the school landline phone.
The only exception to this is in an emergency or with the prior approval of the Principal or a member of the school team.
Pupils are not allowed bring electronic games into school
Breaches of this Policy
- Pupils who ignore this policy and use a mobile phone on the school premises without permission will be required to hand over their phone to the Principal and the parents will be asked to collect it from the Principal after a period of one day.
- If pupils break the rules for a second time the phone will be confiscated for a period of one week and at the end of this period the parents will be asked to collect it from the school principal
- If a teacher has any suspicion that a mobile phone has unsuitable material stored on it, pupils will be required to hand over the phone to a teacher and parents will be asked to collect it from the school.
- Where there is a suspicion that the material on the mobile may provide evidence relating to a criminal offence the phone will be handed over to the gardaí for further investigation. Parents will be informed in such circumstances.
- Pupils using mobile phones to bully other pupils or send offensive messages/calls will face disciplinary actions as per the school Code of Behaviour.
- It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. As with all such incidents, the school may consider it appropriate to involve the gardaí.
- The school will incorporate this policy in the school’s discipline policy and will treat breaches as they would treat any other breach of school discipline.
Lost, stolen or damaged phones
- The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones. The safety and security of mobile phones is wholly a matter for pupils/parents.
- The school accepts no responsibility for pupils who lose or have their mobile phones stolen while travelling to and from school.
- Mobile phones which are found in the school and whose owner cannot be located should be handed to a member of the school team.
- It is strongly advised that pupils use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other pupils, or if stolen).
- Pupils must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phone and/or passwords should not be shared.
- The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged electronic games as they are not allowed on the premises.
Roles and Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all the school team to share in the co-ordination and implementation of this policy.
Evaluation
This policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and amendments added as new technology comes on stream.
Implementation
Ratified by Board of Management and communicated to the school community.
Signed: Tom Sherlock Date: 20/10/2020
Tom Sherlock
Chairperson, BOM
October 20th 2020
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Re: Mobile Phones
The use of mobile phones amongst young children has increased enormously over the last number of years. We understand that parents feel their child may need a mobile if they are travelling to and from school on their own. In saying this, it is absolutely necessary that your child is aware that the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited at school between the hours of 8:50 am and 2:40 pm or until the end of school after school activities.
The Board of Management together with the Parents Association would request that each child and their parents sign the attached code of conduct with regard to the use of mobile phones.
Code of Conduct for Mobile Phones
- I will turn my mobile phone off between the hours of 8:50am and 2:40pm/ 4.00pm.
- I will keep my mobile phone in my school bag during school hours.
- I will not use my phone during any after school activities run by the school.
- I will not use my phone on any school tours.
- If I break any of the above rules I am in agreement to my mobile phone being confiscated for a period of one day and I am aware that my parents will be contacted and will have to collect my phone at the end of this period from the school principal.
- If I break the above rules a second time I am in agreement to my phone being confiscated for a period of one week and I am aware that my parents will be contacted and will have to collect my phone at the end of this period from the school principal.
Child’s signature:_______________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature _____________________________________
Please return signed to your class teacher