Aquinas College as Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, strives to offer a liberating education, based on gospel spirituality, within an inclusive community committed to justice and solidarity.
In partnership with parents, the College aims through a Christ-centred curriculum, to develop young men of faith, good character, strong intellect and generous spirit, who will be able to move confidently into the world and who will use their and gifts to lead and serve others.
Purpose
The “Personal Smart Devices Policy” outlines the Aquinas’ stance on the ownership and use of personal smart devices, by our students, particularly for those in Year 7 and the Junior School.
Position
Aquinas College believes that personal smart devices, being smartphones and smartwatches, are developmentally inappropriate technology for students in year 7 and below. This position is informed by evidence-based research, collaboration and discussion with Western Australian schools, and consultation with families in the Aquinas Community.
Rationale
1. Evidence based research of current trends in youth mental health. The mental health of young people has emerged as a critical global concern. A growing body of evidence-based research indicates a marked deterioration in mental wellbeing over the past two decades. Furthermore, mental ill health is the foremost health and social challenge impacting the lives and prospects of young people worldwide.
2. Parental Support
In consulting with families in the Aquinas community, there is strong support to a cautious approach to smartphone use among students in Year 7 and below.
Parents have voiced a need for a collective agreement from families across the same year group to work together cooperatively. A strong desire has also been expressed from parents for the school to take the lead in having a position that could be supported collectively in the home.
Policy in Action
Parents and carers of student in Year 7 and Junior School can support this policy by:
• Smartphones and smartwatches not being permitted on the Aquinas campus or at school related events.
• Delaying providing personal smart devices for use outside of school time until they have reached an age to moderate their use.
• In circumstances requiring a phone, that a non-smartphone (retro-phone) is acquired and stored in the student’s locker throughout the school day.
• Use of AirTags as an alternative to tracking movements to and from school.
An exception to the College’s position is when a smart device is used to help manage a medical condition, such as diabetes.
Junior School
1st Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by Office Staff and sent to the JLT.
• Parents are contacted by the classroom teacher and reminded of the College expectations.
2nd Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by office staff and sent to the JLT.
• Parents are contacted by the classroom teacher, reminded of the College expectations and that they will be required to collect it from the School Office.
• Parents are required to collect the device from the School Office and meet with the Assitant Principal or member of the JLT to reinforce expectations.
3rd Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by Office Staff and sent to the JLT.
• Parents are contacted by the JLT, reminded of the College expectations and that they will be required to collect it from the School Office.
• Parents are required to collect the device from the School Office and required to meet with the Head of Junior School to reinforce expectations.
Middle School
1st Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by Office Staff and sent to the Pastoral Team.
• Parents are contacted by the Head of House and reminded of the College expectations.
2nd Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by office staff and sent to the Pastoral Team.
• Parents are contacted by the Head of House, reminded of the College expectations and that they will be required to collect it from the School Office.
• Parents are required to collect the device from the School Office and meet with the Head of School or member of the College Leadership Team to reinforce expectations.
3rd Occasion
• Device will be confiscated by the staff member and handed into the School Office.
• Pastoral Note will be entered by Office Staff and sent to the Pastoral Team.
• Parents are contacted by the Head of House, reminded of the College expectations and that they will be required to collect it from the School Office.
• Parents are required to collect the device from the School Office and required to meet with the Vice Principal.
In circumstances where a personal smart device is taken to a school related event being held off campus, the device will be confiscated by the staff member for the duration of the event. The staff member will enter a pastoral note upon return to campus to notify the Pastoral Team of the breach of policy.
The “Personal Smart Devices Policy” is complimentary to the “Mobile Phone Policy”. Breaches of the “Mobile Phone Policy” will result in the consequences being issued aligned to this policy in addition to the process outlined above.
