Ashburton Courier: November 10, 2022

www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
NEWS
Ashburton Courier, November 10, 2022
3
College prohibits use of cellphones
INDI.ROBERTS
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Ashburton College has made acall on
the use of cellphones within the school,
with principal Ross Preece saying the
new policy will address anumber of
concerns, including bullying.
Anotice was sent out to parents last
week which outlined the new school
policy on the use of cellphones.
‘‘Following due consideration, our
Board of Trustees has made the
following decision effective from the
start of the 2023 school year,’’ Mr Preece
wrote.
‘‘From the beginning of the school day
until the end, the phone is to be turned
off and kept in abag (not in apocket).
This includes interval and lunchtime.
‘‘If aphone is seen by astaff member
it will be confiscated. Refusal to hand
over the phone will become apastoral
matter. Year 13 students will be allowed
discreet use of cell phones.
‘‘College management will provide
more detail on the day­to­day
management of this policy in due
course.’’
Mr Preece outlined the reasoning
behind the decision which included
creating abetter learning environment
for students and reducing the amount of
harmful content distributed through
social media.
‘‘Our aim is to enhance both the social
and academic curriculum,’’ he said. ‘‘We
have gathered evidence over the past
year which shows the impact of cell
phones on student learning and ability
to relate to others.’’
He recognised that cellphones are
distracting and can impact students’
ability to focus which can have a
negative affect on achievement rates.
He also acknowledged cellphones
provided platforms in which students
can access, create and distribute
harmful content which may be used to
bully or harass other students.
Mr Preece said by eliminating the use
of cellphones within school hours, he
hoped to see an improvement in social
interactions between students.
‘‘Currently, we see large numbers of
students sitting at breaks and staring at
their screens,’’ he said.
‘‘Strengthening skill sets such as oral
language requires time spent talking to
other people.
‘‘This is developed through formal
and informal situations, both in class
time and during interval and lunchtime.
‘‘Conversations are required in order to
work together, to connect and
collaborate. The ability to relate and
engage positively with others also plays
an important role in enhancing the
culture of our school.’’
Mr Preece said the board had spent
the last year evaluating the use of
cellphones during school time before
reaching this decision.
He had previously claimed alarge
portion of student bullying occurred on
social media platforms, of which the
school had little jurisdiction due to
privacy laws.
‘‘It’s areal challenge for schools to
deal with the influence of social media,’’
he said. ‘‘Particularly when parents give
their children unfettered access.’’
He said when it comes to bullying, ‘‘If
it happens at school then we can deal
Ashburton College principal Ross Preece
has announced the decision to ban the
use of cellphones within school hours.
with it. But the vast majority of stuff is
online, it’s actually quite rare to have a
physical encounter ... most of the
damage is done via social media.’’
He said the Board of Trustees had
considered changing the policy on
cellphone use last year, but had opted to
give it more consideration.
‘‘Ashburton College is working to
develop learners who are engaged in
learning for life, collaborative,
connected and creative.
‘‘We want to ensure that Ashburton
College is providing an environment
where students are encouraged to
develop these skills, attitudes and
attributes.’’
He said that parents who need to
contact students throughout the day will
still be able to do so through the school’s
office.
The new policy will come into effect at
the start of the 2023 school year.
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