Almost 70 per cent of South Australia’s public high schools will have a formal mobile phone ban in place from the start of term 2 – with many schools bringing the ban forward.

The State Government introduced an ‘off and away’ mobile phone policy to be in place at all public high schools from the start of term 3 to reduce distraction in the classroom, stop some of the bullying that occurs through social media and to encourage exercise during break times.

There are now more than 105 high schools with the mobile phone ban already in place, with the rest of the state’s 158 schools with secondary enrolments to introduce the ban by the start of term 3.

The policy to remove mobile phones during school hours includes personal devices as well as smart watches, tablets and personal laptops.

Many schools that have already introduced the policy ahead of term 3, reported improvements in learning, engagement, wellbeing and a more active schoolyard during break times.

Blackwood High School Principal Chris Brandwood said since banning mobile phones at the school, he’s seen many positive outcomes including undeniable improvements in teaching and learning environments, with a re-culturing of expectation.

“Students are also socially engaging more actively at break times and there is a clear reduction in inappropriate social media related issues during school hours,” Mr Brandwood said.

“The reaction from teachers, students and the school community has been largely positive, and we’ve all been able to get on with doing with what we do best – guiding teaching and learning with our young people.

“Removing the distraction of phones has resulted in improved learner engagement, more active break times and a reduction in inappropriate phone use. Our students and teachers are happier as a result.”

The success of the ban here in South Australia has been watched closely by other states with the new NSW Government recently announcing its own school phone ban.

In SA, all secondary students must switch their devices off or onto flight mode and put them away during school hours, in break times and on school excursions.

Each school also determines the best way to store students’ devices whether that be in their locker, schoolbag, lockable pouch, handed into the teacher or stored in another secure location.

Charles Campbell College R-12 Principal Kevin O’Neil said the school’s chosen to introduce the mobile phone ban early because the feedback from our parent community was overwhelmingly positive and the benefits to student learning were clear.

“After seeing the positive outcomes at other schools, we communicated with our Governing Council and families and decided it would also be beneficial to our students to have mobile devices off and away in their lockers during the school day from the beginning of Term 2,” Mr O’Neil said.

“This approach is an extension our existing policy that expected students to keep their mobile phones in their lockers during lessons.

“It’s exciting to see everyone working together to make this important change at our school, ensuring our students become more engaged learners and responsible digital users, and we look forward to seeing the promising results in the year ahead.”