Device policies

Teachers and students have the right to teach and learn in a classroom environment free from interruption by mobile phones. It is DoE policy that a staff member may confiscate any item, including mobile phones, that disrupts the learning of students. Mobile phones in schools present a number of challenges. These include:

Mobile phones interrupting lessons and disrupting the learning of others
Mobile phones disrupting examinations and assessment tasks
Theft, loss or damage of mobile phones
Mobile phones possibly being used to contact outsiders who may attempt to enter the school illegally
Invasion of privacy through misuse of pictures/videos/voice recording and social media
Exposes staff or students to explicit or other inappropriate material
Issues revolving around bullying and cyberbullying (harass, threaten, abuse, vilify or embarrass other students or staff) through text messages, photographs, videos and online chat platforms
Prolonged use proven to have negative impact on physical and mental health including brain development

In keeping with the DoE’s Policy on Students Use of Digital Devices and Online Services, Nepean CAPA High School has become a Mobile Phone Free Zone from the moment students enter the school site.

Medical exemptions may apply through school approved applications.

Mobile and electronic device agreement

Students and parents must read the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ information booklet and the NSW Education digital devices and online services for students procedures in order to bring a mobile or electronic device to school.
Students are to use these devices responsibly at all times at school and follow the school Code of Conduct and meet the school’s expectations of care, opportunity and success.
Devices are to be on silent at all times during lessons unless teachers direct otherwise. They may be asked to ‘dip or flip’, dipping the laptop screen or flipping a tablet screen side down.
Use of devices during class time is solely at teacher discretion. Students must follow teachers’ instructions and not interrupt their own or others’ learning.
Teachers may choose to insist all students place their devices face down, or closed, on their desks.
Misuse of a device may result in confiscation. The device will be available for collection at the end of the day.
No student is to record conversations or capture photographs, video or audio of others, including lessons, without the knowledge and permission of the teacher or those involved. Failing to adhere to this rule may result in suspension and the matter may be referred to police.
Devices must not be used to bully, intimidate, harass others through SMS or text messaging or through photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the device. Failing to adhere to this rule may result in suspension and the matter may be referred to police.
Devices must not be used to download or otherwise access inappropriate material on the internet such as child abuse or pornographic or other offensive material.
Devices must not be used to film fights or other criminal behaviour involving students that occur at school, during school activities or while on the way to or from school.
Devices must not be used in a way that threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person or for any use that is in breach of any law.
Students who bring devices to school must take responsibility for them. Staff take no responsibility for such devices and it is not possible for them to carry out lengthy investigations if a device goes missing.

Inappropriate use of devices

Inappropriate use of a device includes:

using it in a way that disrupts or is likely to disrupt the learning environment or interfere with the operation of the school or institute,
bullying, intimidating or otherwise harassing others through SMS or text messaging or through photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the phone,
recording of conversations, including lessons, without the knowledge and permission of the teacher or those involved in the conversation,
downloading or otherwise accessing inappropriate material on the internet such as child abuse or pornographic or other offensive material,
filming of fights or other criminal behaviour involving students that occur at school or the institute, during school or institute activities or while on the way to or from school or the institute,
using it in a way that threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person,
use that is in breach of any law. (from: Legal Issues Bulletin 35)

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BYOD equity policy

To ensure access and equity for all students in years that are part of the BYOD program, Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School has established procedures allowing families to apply for assistance in obtaining access to a device that meets the device specification.

If you believe you are unable to provide a device that meets the specification, families may write a request or make an appointment to speak with the Principal, where your particular case can be outlined.

While the school won’t purchase devices for students in the BYOD program there are several options available to provide assistance to students.

These include:

Loan of a laptop or other device for a particular day (pending availability).
Recurrent daily loan of a laptop or other device (pending availability).

You will be asked to make an agreement with the school that confirms the alternative arrangements made for your child’s access to a device.

Yondr Pouch policy

Our school has been deemed a Phone Free Zone. Mobile phones are not to be used by students across cohorts during class learning time, or in the playground during school hours. To support this students in Years 7 to 11 will be assigned a personal Yondr Pouch with an ID Number. While the Yondr Pouch is considered school property, it will be the responsibility of each student to look after their Pouch, and bring it with them to school every day.

Students are expected to secure their mobile phone in their Yondr Pouch for the duration of the school day, including on-site carnivals and excursions.

Headphones and air pods are not permitted at school except in cases where students have been instructed to bring them for educational purposes (such as for NAPLAN) and on those occasions they are only permitted to be used for that specific purpose. All smart watches are to be on aeroplane mode to prevent notifications from disrupting learning.

During recess and lunch students are encouraged to participate in other activities including games and a range of socially interactive activities.

Students must continue to follow our school’s core school values of care, opportunity and success with the use of digital devices and whilst online. Students are not permitted to use any digital device in the toilets or change-rooms under any circumstances.

Yondr Pouch FAQ

What if I forget to bring my Yondr Pouch to school?

You can self-report to the Student Counter in the A Block Front Office as soon as you arrive at school. You will be issued a loan pouch for the day and complete a sign-out register for this. At the end of the school day, you will need to return to Loan Pouch to the Front Office, and sign it back in.

What if I forget my Yondr Pouch and don’t self-report.

AND / OR

What if I don’t want to put my phone into my Yondr Pouch?

If you are seen with your mobile phone, it will be locked safely and securely in the A Block Front Office. Your parent will be notified.

On the first incident, you can collect your phone at the end of the day.
On the second incident, you can still collect your phone at the end of the day, but you will also be issued an afterschool detention.
On the third incident, your parent / guardian will need to collect the phone from the front office, two afterschool detentions, and a Behaviour of Concern notification, will be issued.
On fourth and subsequent incidents, your parent / guardian will need to collect the phone from the front office at the end of the day, a formal caution to suspend will be issued.

Do earphones/airpods/ear buds need to be locked into a Yondr pouch?

Yes. If you have large headphones, these are to be placed in your school bag.

What if I have not brought a mobile phone to school that day?

The expectation is that you bring your Yondr pouch to school every day regardless of whether you have a mobile device with you or not. You must present the pouch at the beginning of Roll Call, and bring a note from your parent / guardian written in your school diary advising that your phone is not at school today. Repeated patterns may be treated as non-compliant behaviour.

What if I don’t possess a mobile phone or never bring a mobile phone to school at all?

If you do not have a mobile phone or are never going to bring a mobile phone to school at all, your parent / carer will need to inform the Principal in writing. You will still have to bring your empty Yondr Pouch to school. If you are seen with a phone, then the above consequences will apply.

What if I damage or lose my Yondr Pouch?

The pouch remains the property of the school. You will be referred to a DP and charged $20 (cash or added to school fees) for a new pouch. If deliberately damaged, you may face disciplinary actions.

Can I use my phone at school prior to the bell ringing for Roll Call / Assembly in the morning?

No. You will need to lock your mobile phone in your Yondr Pouch as soon as you enter the school site. If it is seen in the morning, recess or at lunch time, it will be confiscated and locked safely and securely in the A Block Front Office. Your parent will be notified.

What if I need to contact my parent/carer during the school day?

You should go to the A Block Front Office prior to school, at recess or lunch time if you need to contact a parent/carer urgently, where you may use the school phone.

What if my parent/carer needs to contact me in the event of an emergency?

Your parents/carers can contact the school on 47287200 if there is an emergency. Staff will contact you to relay the message.

What if I have a medical condition that requires me use my phone to record or monitor medical information?

We are working with some student’s parents/ carers already who have a medical condition that necessitates the use of a mobile phone, such as students with diabetes, so that an exemption can be applied. If your parent / carer has not heard from the school, they will need to request an exemption from the Principal in writing.

What if I have a mental health condition and I need to contact a case worker, counsellor, parent or carer?

You should go to the student counter at the A Block Front Office, or the Learning & Wellbeing Staffroom in the Library, at recess or lunch time and advise staff that you need to make the call. Arrangements will be made for you to use the school phone, and to provide assistance.

What if I have Wi-Fi connectivity issues with my laptop and need to use my mobile phone as a personal hotspot.

You will need to see Mr Todman or Mr Oudkerkpool to ensure you are connecting to the Department of Education’s Wi-Fi correctly.

What if I need access to urgent personal-hygiene items?

You should Sick Bay, your Year Adviser, Head Teacher Learning & Wellbeing, or DP for assistance.

Do I need to access a Yondr unlocking station to lock my pouch when I get to school?

No, as long as your Pouch has remained unlocked.

What if I forget to unlock the Yondr pouch before going home?

We will have set up a permanent Yondr Unlocking Station at the front gate of the school for access afterhours.

What if I cannot unlock my Yondr pouch when I leave the school?

You should report to the A Block Front Office for assistance.

How many Yondr locking stations will be provided around the school?

10 unlocking stations will be located close to entry and exit points.

Fixed to Front A Block and E Block near pathways to the front gate
Fixed to A Block wall near Quad
Fixed to C Block wall leading to bike racks
Fixed to E Block Wall at entry point to E/D Block
Fixed to lower L Block Wall near pathway leading to / from J Block demountable.
Fixed to pillar near NAC Box Office.
Portable stations will be located in the A Block Front Office,
Attendance Office, Library (for Homework Club) and in the DP Offices.

What if I am a Senior student who has no more classes for the day, and I need to leave school early?

Early leavers will need to unlock their phone at the Front A Block Office Year 11 & 12 on Mondays and Wednesdays, will be able to access the Fixed Yondr Unlocking Station at the NAC.

What if I am a Stage 6 student who is completing Distance Education or an external Language course as part of my pattern of study, and require a phone to call in to my external supervising teacher?

If you are in Year 11, you will have an exemption for these lesson times if needed and will be able to access a portable Yondr unlocking station in the library. You are to remain in the Library for the duration of the lesson, and relock your pouch at the end. If you are in Year 12, you already have an exemption.

How do I unlock my Yondr Pouch after Homework Club?

A portable Yondr Station will be accessible in the Library to unlock your Yondr Pouch when leaving Homework Club, or should you need to contact parents for pick-up arrangements prior to leaving.

What if I have an early leavers pass?

You will go to the Student Counter at the A Block Front Office with your early leaver note. Office staff will assist you to unlock your Yondr pouch using a portable station in the Office prior to leaving the school.

What if I need my phone in case my part time work needs to contact me?

In the first instance, you should remind your employer that you will not have access to your phone during school hours. However, should this be an issue, you can report to the office and arrangements will be made to assist.

What if the school goes into lockdown or an emergency evacuation is called ?

Students will follow existing school procedures. If parents/carers need to be contacted, usual processes will be followed in line with school practices. Please make sure your contact details are up to date. Where appropriate, access may be given to unlock phones at the decision of the chief warden managing the emergency situation.

I use my phone to purchase food from the canteen / buy uniform.

You will need to bring your debit card or cash to make payments.

Generative AI policy

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School follows the NSW Department of Education's guidelines regarding use of generative AI and The Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools.

NSWEduChat is Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School's recommended generative AI platform for student use. NSWEduChat is a generative artificial intelligence tool owned and designed by the NSW Department of Education.

NSWEduChat promotes equitable learning opportunities by providing students with a free, safe and effective generative AI (GenAI) tool. NSWEduChat has been made available to all Year 5 to Year 12 students in NSW public schools from Term 4, 2025. It is designed to be:

secure and private
safe
educational.

Students can access NSWEduChat through the student portal at https://portal.education.nsw.gov.au/ or directly via chat.education.nsw.gov.au.

Students will need to log in using their NSW Department of Education login. Only the student who logged in should use NSWEduChat.

For more information on NSWEduChat such as the parental privacy notice please visit Student use of NSWEduChat.

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Device policies

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Mobile and electronic device agreement

Inappropriate use of devices

BYOD equity policy

Yondr Pouch policy

Yondr Pouch FAQ

Generative AI policy

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