The Use of Personal Technology Devices* at School
This policy reflects the importance the school places on student wellbeing and protecting the learning environment.
Personal Technology Device Etiquette
Students are advised not to bring any electronic equipment to school because of the potential for theft, damage and general disruption/distraction associated with them. No responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen personal technology devices is taken by the school. If a student choses to ignore this advice, the following rules apply;
- Mobile Phones, wireless headphones and smart watches are not to be accessed during the school day for any reason from the first bell at 8:55am until 3:00pm, in line with Education Queensland’s away for the day policy.
- Mobile Phones must be switched off and out of sight.
| Where a student uses personal technology devices contrary to this policy; consequences will be strictly applied.
First offence =Student will be Withdrawn from class and phone confiscated for remainder of day. (Parent notified; Phone will be handed back to student at 3:00pm)
Subsequent offence = Parent Conference and 1 week compulsory submission to Engagement Hub* *failure to comply with compulsory submission to Engagement Hub will result in suspension from school
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ExcemptionStudents with a medical condition, such as diabetes, requiring mobile phone access will be eligible for exemption from this policy through the implementation of a school-based support plan. Appropriate medical documentation is required.
Confiscation
Where a student uses personal technology devices contrary to this policy, the student will be required to hand the device in at the student office for the remainder of the day. Repeat offences will result in the requirement for a meeting between the parents, student and Deputy Principal.
Devices potentially containing evidence of criminal offences may be reported to the police. In such cases police may take possession of such devices for investigation purposes and students and parents will be advised to contact Queensland Police Service (QPS) directly.
Recording Voice and Images
Every member of the school community should feel confident about participating fully and frankly in all aspects of school life without concern that their personal privacy is being invaded by persons recording them without their knowledge or consent.
We uphold the value of trust and the right to privacy at PRSHS. Students using personal technology devices to record inappropriate behaviours or incidents (such as vandalism, fighting, bullying, staged fighting or pranks etc.) for the purpose of dissemination among the student body or outside the school, by any means (including distribution by phone or internet posting) build a culture of distrust and disharmony.
Students must not record images anywhere that recording would not reasonably be considered appropriate (e.g. in change rooms, toilets or any other place where a reasonable person would expect to be afforded privacy).
Recording of events in class is not permitted unless express consent is provided by the class teacher.
A student at school who uses a personal technology device to record private conversations, ordinary school activities (apart from social functions like graduation ceremonies) or violent, illegal or embarrassing matter capable of bringing the school into public disrepute is considered to be in breach of this policy.
Even where consent is obtained for such recording, the school will not tolerate images or sound captured by personal technology devices on the school premises or elsewhere being disseminated to others, if it is done for the purpose of causing embarrassment to individuals or the school, for the purpose of bullying[1] or harassment, including racial and sexual harassment, or where without such intent a reasonable person would conclude that such outcomes may have or will occur. Students involved in:
- recording; and/or
- disseminating material (through text messaging, display, internet uploading etc.); and/or,
- knowingly being a subject of a recording
breach this policy and may be subject to discipline (including suspension and recommendation for exclusion).
Students should note that the recording or dissemination of images that are considered indecent (such as nudity or sexual acts involving children), is against the law and if detected by the school will result in a referral to QPS.
Text Communication
The sending of text messages that contain obscene language and/or threats of violence may amount to bullying and/or harassment or even stalking, and will subject the sender to discipline and possible referral to QPS. Students receiving such text messages at school should ensure they keep the message as evidence and bring the matter to the attention of the school office.
Assumption of Cheating
Personal technology devices may not be taken into or used by students at exams or during class assessment unless expressly permitted by staff. Staff will assume students in possession of such devices during exams or assessments are cheating. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student who is caught using a personal technology device to cheat during exams or assessments.
Recording Private Conversations and the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971
It is important that all members of the school community understand that under the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971, 'a person is guilty of an offence against this Act if the person uses a listening device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a private conversation'. It is also an offence under the Act for a person who has overheard, recorded, monitored or listened to a conversation to which s/he is not a party to publish or communicate the substance or meaning of the conversation to others.
Students need to understand that some conversations are private and therefore to overhear, record, monitor or listen to such private conversations may be in breach of this Act, unless consent to the recording is appropriately obtained.
Special Circumstances Arrangement
Students who require the use of a personal technology device in circumstances that would contravene this policy (for example to assist with a medical condition or other disability or for a special project) should negotiate a special circumstances arrangement with the Deputy Principal or Principal.
* Personal Technology Devices includes, but is not limited to, mobile phones, earphones, games devices such as Portable gaming devices, PDAs, Blackberrys®, cameras and/or voice recording devices whether or not integrated with a mobile phone or MP3 player), IPods® and devices of a similar nature.
[1] Education Queensland does not tolerate bullying behaviour at schools. This includes bullying
conducted by electronic means.