Premier Chris Minns banned mobile phones in public schools a year ago. This week, he and the NSW Labor Party celebrated its success.  

However, The Rivers Secondary Colleges saw the need and implemented a system way before the recommendation was handed down, and the results put the students out in front.

The state government reported that “The decision to ban mobile phones in all NSW public schools has improved student learning, concentration, and encouraged young people to socialise more," according to a new survey by the NSW Department of Education.

95% of schools implemented the ban, which has resulted in a finding that many expected: “Removing the unnecessary distraction has improved students’ focus and reduced social isolation.”

Locally, Lismore High Campus led the way by introducing lockable phone pouches in 2019.  Kadina High Campus and Richmond River High Campus adopted phone pouches in 2021. These pouches ensured phone use was a thing of the past during school hours.

Bree Harvey-Bice, the Relieving Executive Principal at The Rivers Secondary College, says the results seen were swift and obvious. 

“As soon as phones were locked away for the day, we saw immediate improvements in student engagement in class, socialisation with each other and in levels of physical activity.

“Our playgrounds became much more active places when students were not being drawn back to their screens and students demonstrated greater engagement in their classes.”

The ban by the state government added weight to their decision, lending it further legitimacy.

“The NSW government ban on phones in schools has been supportive of what we already had in place.

“It gave weight to what we had been telling our college community about the detrimental effects of phone use and helped students to feel as if we were all in it together.” 

Other aspects of tech use and social media, namely age restrictions and mature use, are currently under scrutiny by government departments.

“As a principal I particularly look forward to seeing the outcomes from the recent Social Media Summit, as we know this can be a difficult space for many of our young people.”