Mobile Devices Procedures

Mobile devices are an important modern day education and communication tool. Hunter Sports High School understand that students should benefit from the learning opportunities provided to them by mobile devices in what is a safe and respectful learning environment. Digital technology and social media can play a role in productive learning environments. The purpose of this policy is to set standards of behaviour for the use of mobile devices that are consistent with the values and expectations of the Hunter Sports High School community. These procedures apply to our school community, staff, students and parents.

A mobile device is any portable computing device such as a smartphone or tablet computer small enough to hold and operate in the hand. Students are also not permitted to use headphones, air pods or ear buds.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

The school does not require students to bring a mobile phone to school. If a student chooses to bring a mobile device to school then it is at the owner’s risk. The school will not be involved in disputes over damage, loss or theft.
If parents need to urgently contact a student during lesson time, they should follow normal procedure and contact the school office who will then contact and support the student as necessary.
Students who use a mobile phone without prior permission will be subjected to consequences in line with our school’s wellbeing and discipline policy.
Any student who uses a mobile phone or other electronic system or device to harass, bully, threaten or intimidate other students or staff, to incite grievances between students or to engage in any form of cyber bullying will be subjected to the conditions of such use as outlined in the DoE Suspension and Expulsion Guidelines.
Devices that are used in breach of policy guidelines will be confiscated on the authority of the Principal and returned at the end of the school day. Students may also be given a pouch to store their phone and have it unlocked at the end of the day. Students are expected to hand the phone or device over to the teaching staff without argument and to accept that if the code of practice has been compromised the recognised discipline actions will be involved.
Any student who refuses to hand over a phone will be subjected to the school’s discipline and wellbeing policy in line with a refusal to follow a reasonable instruction.
Mobile phones may be used at the canteen to purchase food. Phones must only be used when paying for food at the counter not whilst in the line.

INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES INCLUDES:

using it in a way that disrupts or is likely to disrupt the learning environment or interfere with the operation of the school
bullying, intimidating or otherwise harassing others through SMS or text messaging or through photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the device
recording of conversations, including lessons, without the knowledge and permission of the teacher or those involved in the conversation
downloading or otherwise accessing inappropriate material on the internet such as child abuse or pornographic or other offensive material
filming of fights or other criminal behaviour involving students that occur at school, during school activities or while on the way to or from school
using it in a way that threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person
use that is breach of the law

MOBILE DEVICES IN CLASSROOMS

Individual teachers and or their faculties maintain the authority to determine whether they are permitted to be used in a classroom and under what circumstances. Each teacher has the ultimate professional right to determine what learning conditions are appropriate for their own classroom.
The default rule in every case should be that the device should not be used unless a teacher expressly states that they have given permission. This may be at the start of the year or the start of each individual period.
Study periods will be treated as supervised classes and be subject to exemptions for senior students who may use their device to listen to music whilst actively studying.

Students are expected to use social media responsibly and in a legal manner. Students under the age of 16 must obey the ban on specified social media applications.
Students must NOT use social media to bully, harass, intimidate, insult or belittle any member of the school or wider community.
Students must not use social media to bring Hunter Sports High School into disrepute either by their actions or words.

SEXTING

This involves sending sexually explicit or suggestive pictures to mobile phones or posting them on individual or on social media platforms such as Snapchat or Facebook.
If the image is of a person under the age of 16 engaged in sexual activity or in a sexual context, it is likely to be regarded as child abuse material for the purposes of the Crimes Act. Any person who produces, sends, transmits, disseminates or possesses child abuse material is guilty of an offence and is liable to a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Engaging in this behaviour is also likely to be a breach of the Commonwealth Criminal Code and carries a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment

NON-COMPLIANCE:

It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones to school to comply with this policy. Non-compliance with this policy will result in the student being immediately referred to the Deputy Principal. The student’s mobile phone and/or earbuds/headphones will be confiscated by the Deputy Principal and stored in the office until the end of the day. Non-compliance may include, but is not limited to:

Refusing to hand over a mobile phone / headphones / ear buds when requested by the teacher.
Behaving disrespectfully after being asked to hand a mobile phone to the teacher.
Using a smartwatch as a mobile phone (eg. texting, accessing social media)

Repeated non-compliance may result in:

A request from the school for a parent/carer to collect the phone from the main office

Detention/s
A formal caution of suspension
Placement on a behaviour monitoring card
Withdrawal of privileges such as school representation, excursions and incursions
Suspension

NSW Department of Education:

Mobile Phone policy.
Inclusive Engaging and Respectful Schools
Student Behaviour Policy
Bullying of Students - Prevention and Response Policy
Cyber-bullying of staff
Assault harassment, stalking and intimidation of students and staff at school
Technology misuse in schools

Matters not specifically addressed in this policy will be managed by the principal / delegate in accordance with the relevant school and NSW Department of Education policies and procedures.

Last reviewed: Term 2, 2026