Mobile Phone Policy
Tullamore E.T.N.S. Mobile Phone Policy

PUPILS

Where a pupil brings a mobile phone to school, the phone must be kept out of sight, switched off during the school day and may not be used, for any purpose, on school premises, grounds, or during off-site school activities (such as school trips or sporting activities). The only exception to this is in an emergency with the approval of a teacher.

Pupils who ignore this policy and use a mobile phone on school premises without permission will be required to hand over the phone to a member of staff. If the offence should occur a second time, a parent of the pupil in question will be asked to come to the school to collect the phone.

Where there is a suspicion that material on a mobile phone may provide evidence relating to a criminal offence, the phone will be handed over to the Gardai for further investigation. Parents will be informed in such circumstances.

The school will incorporate this policy into the school’s discipline policy and will treat breaches as they would any other breach of school discipline.

The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones. The safety and security of mobile phones is wholly a matter for pupils/parents.

The school accepts no responsibility for pupils who lose or have their mobile phones stolen while travelling to and from school.

Pupils should mark their mobile phone clearly with their name.

Mobile phones which are found in the school and whose owner cannot be located should be handed to a member of staff.

It is strongly advised that pupils use password/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other pupils, or if stolen). Pupils must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phones and/or passwords should not be shared.

It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. As such, if action as sanctioned by the school in this regard is deemed ineffective, as with all such incidents, the school may consider it appropriate to involve the Gardai.

STAFF

Staff members should not use their mobile phone in class, except in emergencies.

If it is necessary for a teacher to take a call on his/her mobile phone during class time, a supervisor should be arranged, where possible, while the teacher steps out to take the call.

STAFF ROOM

Staff members must take their calls outside of the staff room at break times.