Shutterstock
<h2>This week, Hillmorton High School in Christchurch broadcast the benefits of its ban on mobile phones, on a prime time television platform. The school joins several others making the move to a phone-free learning environment. </h2>
<p class="sics-component__html-injector sics-component__story__paragraph">Principal Ann Brokenshire told TVNZ&#8217;s Seven Sharp that she preferred not to term the move &#8216;a ban&#8217;, however. &#8220;We like to think we&#8217;re just giving our young people a break from cellphones and social media in particular, for six hours out of a 24-hour period each day.&#8221; </p>
<p class="sics-component__html-injector sics-component__story__paragraph">Since the start of the year, phones are no longer allowed to be used at the co-ed school, including during break times. &#8220;We were finding that students were spending an inordinate amount of time, especially during break times when we&#8217;d like them to be active, just scrolling mindlessly through social media,&#8221; said Brokenshire. And her views are being echoed across the country. </p>
<p class="sics-component__html-injector sics-component__story__paragraph">On February 3, Waiuku College in South Auckland became a no-phone zone during school hours, with Principal Tom Vanderlaan citing frustration among staff at seeing students perpetually glued to their phone screens between classes. An increase in student interaction was a predictable knock-on effect. </p>
<p>Last year, Auckland&#8217;s Diocesan School for Girls banned all cellphones for its Year 7 to 10 students and St Paul&#8217;s Collegiate in Hamilton banned cellphones use during school time for Year 9 and 10.</p>
<p class="sics-component__html-injector sics-component__story__paragraph">Hillmorton High School&#8217;s head Brokenshire told TVNZ1 viewers the move wasn&#8217;t welcomed by all at first, but in the two months since the policy had been introduced, the positive effects had been wide ranging. &#8220;There was push back initially, but I think the students have seen the benefits of being phone-free during that time.</p>
<figure id="attachment_18992" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18992" style="width: 228px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-18992" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ann-Brokenshire-2021-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="300" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18992" class="wp-caption-text">Principal Ann Brokenshire<br />
Image: Hillmorton High School</figcaption></figure>
<p>&#8220;The classroom culture has changed considerably,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Especially among the Year 9s to 13s, the classroom culture changed almost overnight.&#8221; Adding, students &#8216;are able to concentrate far better on what they&#8217;re doing in class&#8217;, without the distraction of notifications and sometimes phone calls. She said break times are a very different experience for pupils since the shift.</p>
<p>&#8220;The students themselves have said that they&#8217;re talking more to each other. They&#8217;re far more active and our library is now a very, very busy place!&#8221; </p>
<p> ;</p>

NZCER found generative AI tools are frequently used to support teaching and learning in primary…
The Ministry decision to discontinue a reading resource over kupu Māori has angered the sector…
NCEA was designed to broaden educational success, explains David Pomeroy from the University of Canterbury.
More than just a break from the classroom, a visit to a zoo or wildlife…
Without proper maintenance and care, trees can become a hazard. Are your trees in need…
Loneliness and social disconnection negatively impact wellbeing. A new WHO report finds teens feel the…
This website uses cookies.
