BYOD – Bring Your Own Device
As part of our strong and ongoing commitment to teaching and learning excellence, HSPA has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program for Years 3-12. BYOD refers to students bringing a personally owned and school-approved device to school for the purpose of learning which can connect to the DoE wireless network.
More information about BYOD, including free software downloads, is available on the HSPA website. Information regarding Frequently Asked Questions that may assist you when considering devices can also be found in this link.
Purchasing a device can be difficult and parents are reminded that the most important requirements regarding what device is suitable can be found on our school website using the above link. Importantly, we take NO responsibility for Bring Your Own Device, including damage or theft.
Technical support will be provided at the beginning of each year to assist with connecting to our network, and ongoing tech support is provided to students to assist with any issues that may arise.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts Mobile Phone Procedure
In alignment with the Department of Education 'Student Use of Mobile Phones' Policy and specific procedures set by our school, this policy has been established to support our students' education and well-being.
At HSPA, students can't use their mobile phones, smartwatches, or headphones during school hours unless a teacher says it's okay. This includes when you're at recess or lunch. If a teacher sees you using any of these without permission, they'll put it in a special locked pouch. If this happens during break, you need to take the pouch to the office and then show a note to the teacher to confirm you did that. If it's during class, the teacher might send you to the office right away or wait until the end of the lesson. The first time this happens, you can get your phone back at 3:12pm. If it happens again, you will need to see the DP each morning to lock your phone away for the day, until the DP considers that you are able to follow school expectations without the pouch. For third and subsequent instances your parents may need to come and get it for you and disciplinary procedures will follow. Remember, when you're buying food from the school canteen, you can't use your phone to pay - only cash or a card. When you go on school trips, keep your phone in your bag unless the teacher says differently. The only electronic devices you can use for schoolwork are laptops with keyboards. Tablets without keyboards are not considered appropriate learning devices for schoolwork, and they're treated just like phones. Substitute teachers will follow these rules also.
1. Policy Statement
1.1 As per the Department of Education's policy, students are not allowed to use mobile phones during the school day, including recess and lunch times.
1.2 Requests for exemptions to this policy will be considered by the principal on an individual basis, taking into account the request's rationale.
1.3 The Principal may permit students to use mobile phones under certain circumstances, for educational purposes, to promote student health and wellbeing, or as a reasonable adjustment for students with specific needs.
2. Context
2.1 Our aim is to cultivate a learning environment that helps students develop their technological, social, and emotional competencies. We strive to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of digital environments, preparing students for life beyond school.
3. Policy Implementation
In adherence with the 'Student Use of Mobile Phones' policy, the following procedures are set in place at Hunter School of the Performing Arts:
3.1 Devices which require explicit permission to use during school time - Mobile phones, smart watches or headphones/earbuds are not allowed in classrooms or bathrooms and should not be used during the school day without explicit permission from a teacher, including break times. Smart watches and headphones fall under the regulations of this policy and are considered equivalent to mobile phones. The same procedures apply to students using these without explicit staff permission. See section 4 for examples of situations in which teachers may allow student use of phones.
3.2 Acceptable digital learning devices - The only acceptable digital devices are laptops with a keyboard, which must be used strictly for educational purposes. Tablets without a keyboard are not considered acceptable learning devices and will be treated as mobile phones under this policy.
3.3 When can mobile devices be used?
a. Mobile phones may only be used for educational purposes, at the discretion of teachers.
b. Mobile phones can be used before school starts and after it ends by students in Years 7-12. This means that, unless you have an early class (extension subject, or ‘Maths and Milo’ etc), you can use your phone until 8:55am. You can also use your phone after school finishes. This means that, unless you have an after-school session (marching band, extension class etc), you can use your phone from 3:10pm onwards and on school grounds while you wait for the bus. Primary students cannot use their phone on school grounds.
c. Mobile phones can also be used to pay for a lunch order before 8.55am.
3.4 Unauthorised use of phone consequence - Any student found using their phone without explicit teacher permission will have their device immediately placed in a secure phone pouch, by the supervising teacher, including during breaks.
3.5 Unauthorised use of phone during BREAK time procedure:
d. Teachers on playground duty will carry a PGD kit containing two lockable phone pouches, Phone Pouch slips and Confirmation of Delivery notes, to ensure prompt implementation.
e. If a device is locked during a break, the teacher must complete a ‘phone pouch slip’ (see appendix #3) and student must take the pouch to the office and return to the PGD with a ‘Confirmation of Delivery’ note (see appendix #2). The teacher can then throw the matching Phone Pouch Slip and the Confirmation of Delivery slip in the bin.
f. If at the end of duty, the teacher has a ‘Phone Pouch Slip’ and no matching ‘Confirmation of Delivery Slip’, they must take or send the ‘Phone Pouch Slip’ to the office. The office will then send for the student on behalf of a Deputy Principal. The DP will follow-up in accordance with HSPA behaviour procedures.
3.6 Unauthorised use of phone during LEARNING time procedure:
a. The teacher will lock the phone in a pouch immediately.
b. The phone, in its pouch, will be taken to the front office by the student, where office staff will register the student's name, time, and year group. These details will also be recorded on the pouch and stored with the phone in a safe.
c. The student will be given a ‘Confirmation of Delivery note’. This must be returned to the teacher to avoid follow-up in accordance with HSPA behaviour procedures.
d. The supervising teacher responsible for locking the phone will advise when the phone is to be taken to the office. This may be immediately, or before the end of the lesson. The aim should be to minimise the impact on learning time