Waitakere College News

Newsletter Issue #7

'Phones Away for the Day' begins Wednesday 3rd April

You will now have received our information regarding the rules around the 'Phones Away for the Day' mandate that is now in place for all schools across the country. We have been outlining to students, staff, family and whānau what this is and how it will be implemented.

The rule now in place is;

Cellphones, earphones, earbuds, music players, ipads, and similar devices must be turned off and safely stored in your bag or locker at all times, including intervals/lunchtimes, except where use is authorized by staff for curriculum purposes.
'Cell Phones Away for the Day'.

Frequently Asked Questions;

Parents will still be able to contact their child/tamariki through the existing school processes in the College via the Student Centre 09 8367890 Ext 872
The College will follow our usual behaviour management approach based on Common Sense and our Waitākere Way - Respect, Caring, and Learning.
Repetitive disrespect may result in confiscation and possibly school disciplinary procedures.
Students are not to use or access a personal phone during school, including during interval, lunchtime and breaks, corridors, toilets or anywhere on the school grounds. This includes students on a school course or visiting outside the school grounds (EOTC).
This includes all the paraphernalia associated with Cell Phone technology.
In Lockdown/Evacuation situations, contact with parents/whānau will be by website, text, and email from the college. No student calls are necessary.
This is a government-mandated law that must be followed at state-funded schools.

Special management plans and exemptions are extremely limited and are being worked through by our Learning Support Staff, Nurses and Guidance Staff which are known and will be in place before 3/4/24.

Ngā mihi
Mark P Shanahan