Mobile Phone Policy

In alignment with the mobile phone policy of the Northern Territory Department of Education, MacKillop Catholic College requires that student mobile phones and smart watches are not to be used during school hours.

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Eliminate disruptions to learning caused by mobile phone use;
• Increase opportunities for face-to-face interaction and physical activity during break times;
• Reduce risks associated with cyberbullying and online harassment; and,
• Address privacy concerns around photography and audio/video recording.

This policy applies to all students enrolled at MacKillop Catholic College from Year 7 to Year 12. No student plan will include the use of a mobile phone, except for medical purposes.

• Year 7 to 12 students may bring mobile phones to school but must keep them off and away all day; from the moment a student enters the school grounds until the final school bell has sounded, stored securely in their school bag or locker.
• Exemptions may be granted for:
  • Monitoring a health condition with a documented health care plan; or,
  • In the event of an emergency at the direction of the teacher.
• Smart watches and air buds must not be worn during school hours.
• Students found using their phone in an unauthorised fashion or having it on their person will have the phone confiscated and handed in to Student Services or the Senior on Duty.
• The phone may only be collected from the library only by a parent or guardian.
• The policy will be made available via the College website and enrolment packs.

• Students are responsible for ensuring phones are off and away during school hours; and,
• Students are responsible for using the Spriggy app to order food before school from the canteen or using a bank card or cash as a means of payment for food. Phones will not be permitted to be used for payment at the canteen.
• Breaches will be managed according to the College’s Community Approach to Behaviour Development and Restorative Practices Policy.
• Students are not permitted to use their phone to sign out of school – families are encouraged to contact the school directly to advise on early departures or provide attendance information by email.
• Students are to wait for parents in the breezeway and escort them to the library for device collection.

Student Refusal to Hand in their Phone

• Student refusal to hand in their phone is referred to the Senior on Duty.
• If the Senior on Duty is refused, the matter is referred to the Head of Year.
• Refusal to the Head of Year will be referred to the Deputy Principal, Principal or Senior Leadership.
• If the Deputy Principal, Principal or Senior Leadership is refused, the parent or guardian will be contacted to collect their child from school. If the parent is unable to collect their child from school, the student will be internally suspended.

6.1 Principal

• Implement this policy and manage exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
• Ensure clear communication of the policy to the College community.

6.2 Teachers

• Enforce, support and model the policy.
• Monitor permitted mobile phone use for medical purposes only.
• Ensure confiscated phones are securely taken to Student Services or the Senior on Duty for processing and storage.

6.2.1 Student Services

• Student Services will record the student details and send an SMS to parents or guardians advising them to collect the device at the end of the school day, between 3:15 and 4:15 pm
• Student Services will document the breach of policy on SEQTA.

6.3 College Board

• Endorse and ratify this policy.

6.4 Parents

• Support and ensure their child complies with the policy.
• Submit medical documentation for exemptions if required.
• Ensure communication to children is only done via Student Services during school hours.
• Ensure their child has an alternative means of paying for food at the canteen (bank card or cash).
• Collect their child’s confiscated phone from the library at the end of the school day, between 3:15 and 4:15pm.
• If parents are unable to collect their child from school due to refusal to hand in a device, the student will be internally suspended.
• Provide attendance updates to pastoral care teachers by email.

• Off and away all day: Device is off, unseen, and unheard throughout the school day.
• Mobile phones and smart watches: Any personal electronic device capable of calls, messaging, internet connection or Bluetooth capability.
• Senior Leadership includes the Assistant Principal – Religious Education (APRE), Head of Middle School and Head of Senior School.
• Emergency is an unlikely event that compromises the health and safety of staff and students and requires the emergency services to be contacted.

• Student Wellbeing and Behaviour Policy
• NT Department of Education Guidelines on Mobile Phones
• Cyber Safety Resources: eSafety Commissioner
• Education Act 2015 (NT), Information Act 2002 (NT), Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NT)

This information is correct as of Mobile Phone Policy v1.5, November 2025