Harrison School is partnering with Yondr to be a phone-free space.
We understand that phones serve a valuable purpose in our society. However, mobile phone use has increasingly become a source of distraction, antisocial behaviour and conflict both at home and at school. Our school aims to maintain a safe, inclusive and effective educational environment for all students.
From Term 2 2023, Harrison School will be phone-free!
Research shows that the presence of phones in the classroom can be detrimental to learner wellbeing, school and social connection and academic achievement. According to a survey and report from Common Sense Media that involved 1,240 interviews with parents and their 12 to 18-year-old children, 50% of teens feel attached to their mobile devices, and 59% of their parents agree that their kids have a problem putting their devices down (U.S. News & World Report).
Our own survey data in late 2022 reflected overwhelming support from teachers and parents for restrictions on the use of phones at school. 38% of negative incidents in years 7-10 in 2022 related to phones and their applications, even with policies and practices in place to regulate them.
The data from our family survey in 2022 yielded the following results:
- 81.6% of respondents did not see phone use as necessary to support student learning and engagement
- 99.5% of respondents believed there are negative consequences with phone use at school
- 91.3% of respondents believe students are spending too much time on mobile phones and that this can have a negative impact on concentration and behaviour.
Yondr is currently used across the world in hundreds of classrooms and schools, at concerts, comedy shows, weddings and special events of all kinds. The goal of these spaces is to encourage people to engage with each other and their surroundings.
The Yondr program employs a simple, easy-to-use case that stores a mobile and requires an unlocking base to open. When students enter school grounds they will place their phone in a Yondr case which is then locked. Students maintain possession of their phones but will not be able to use them until they are unlocked at the end of the day.
We believe that this will allow our learners to be:
- Engaged in classroom activities and assignments
- Less reliant on electronics to do classwork
- Less likely to engage in bullying conversations and activities
- Less likely to be distracted and procrastinate on assignments in class
In an effort to best serve your child, we will need your full support of the Yondr program at Harrison School.
We want to assure our families that you can reach your child through the main office on 6142 2200.
Unlocking stations will be available at all the main entry gates to the school, and also available if requested in our main administration offices, the 7-10 Wellbeing Hub and in the offices of our two Deputy Principals.
We thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment here at Harrison School. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school via email or phone.
Yondr - How it Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Has this happened in other similar schools? Yondr has been implemented in over 130 schools across Australia and over 1000 schools across 21 countries.
What if I want to reach my child during the school day? We want our learners to be engaged in their schooling. Please contact our main office on 6142 2200 to reach your child.
What if there is an emergency and I need to contact my child? We would still ask that contact is made through the school, so we can support and manage the situation with you. Under emergency circumstances, senior staff can also authorise and unlock pouches for students to make contact with parents.
Will my child’s phone be safe? Yes, learners are in possession of their phone in the Yondr case and should keep the case stored away in their school bags.
What if the case gets damaged or lost? The Yondr case is the property of Harrison School. The school will provide a replacement at the cost of $20.
What if my child has a medical condition requiring the use of a phone? (for example blood sugar monitoring) This will be considered by the school on a case-by-case basis. Parents can notify the school and request an exemption via a form that will require principal approval. Supporting evidence will be required, and students will only be allowed to use the phone for that purpose whilst at school.
What if my child 's pouch locks with the phone in it, outside of school hours? Our Main Administration is staffed until 4:30pm on weekdays, pouches can be unlocked by those staff. Once the policy has been firmly established in our school there will be permanent un-locking stations positions at key points outside the school gates that can be accessed after hours. Students and parents can also elect not to bring phones to school.
Are phones necessary for school work? No. Chromebooks and other computers are used and are well supported in our school. In some cases phones may be unlocked for specific use in learning, for example using the camera for media projects. This will be strictly managed by teachers.