Wellbeing

Phone-free space

Managing separation from phones during school.

From the start of Term 3, students at public schools in South Australia will not have access to their mobile phones during the school day.

At Mercedes College, our students are required to keep their mobile phone in their locker throughout the school day, unless it is required for an educational purpose (such as filming for an assignment).

We understand that some students find this requirement highly challenging, yet we also know that there are many educational and wellbeing benefits for young people when school is a phone-free place.

Here are some thoughts from our students about mobile phones at school:

• "Phones are a distraction, and they can be used for inappropriate things."
• "I keep my phone in my locker. If I had it on me, I would worry that a notification would go off in class, and that would be embarrassing."
• "You can still call your parents at the end of the school day if you need."
• "I don’t need it, so I don’t bring it with me."
• "Whenever you’re allowed to use your phone, it’s easy to use it for things you’re not supposed to be doing, like SnapChat."

The latest School TV Special Report, Mobile Phone Separation Anxiety, provides families with useful tips to support your child in managing time away from their phone.

Thank you for encouraging your child to minimise distractions during school hours, mindful you can contact them via the Strathspey or McAuley Office.

Andrea Fernandez
College Psychologist R-12