Mobile Phone Use at Damascus College – A Reminder to Families

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and focused learning environment, Damascus College reminds all families of the College’s Mobile Phone Policy, which requires that students' phones be switched off and stored in the student’s locker during the school day (8.30am-3.18pm).

Recently, there have been increasing concerns regarding inappropriate mobile phone use on campus, including reports of students using phones in toilet and corridor areas. Alarmingly, some of this content has been uploaded to TikTok or other social media accounts that reference Damascus College by name. In addition to this some of these posts have compromised the health and wellbeing of students.

Such behaviour not only undermines the respectful culture we strive to maintain, but it also raises serious privacy and safety concerns for both students and staff. These actions are a clear breach of school expectations and do not align with the values of our community.

The College continues to work with students to reinforce appropriate behaviours around technology use. However, the support of parents and carers is crucial. We ask that families partner with us in:

• Reminding students of the importance of using phones responsibly and only when permitted at school.
• Discussing the potential risks of sharing content online, especially when it involves others or references the College.
• Encouraging students to hand in their phones to their TA or House Leader if they find it difficult to follow the expectations.
• Ensuring that the legalities associated with age appropriate social media use are adhered to and respected. (As of June 2025, the legal minimum age to create or maintain a TikTok account in Victoria—and across Australia—is 16 years old.)

We thank our families for your ongoing support in upholding standards that keep all members of the Damascus community safe, respectful, and focused on learning. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s House Leader or a member of the leadership team. Please see below for the key points of Damascus College Phone policy.

Damascus College Student Mobile Phone Policy – Key Points

• Phones must be switched off and secured in lockers at the start of the school day.
• No use of mobile phones during class, recess, lunch, or while moving between classes (e.g., corridors or toilets).
• Phones may only be used under the direct supervision of a teacher for learning purposes
• If a student has a medical condition requiring phone access, prior approval from the College via House Leader / Assistant Principal is required.
• If a student uses a phone inappropriately or against College expectations, the phone may be confiscated, and further action may follow.
• The College reserves the right to request the removal of online content that breaches school values or student privacy.
• Repeated breaches may result in escalated consequences, including parent meetings and possible suspension from classes.

I thank the families for their support working in partnerships with Damascus Staff to ensure we can work collaboratively in meeting the needs of our students.

Many thanks,

Andy