Smartwatches School Policy

At St Matthew’s, we recognise that many families rely on smart watches for communication and safety, particularly when students are travelling to and from school. However, while students are under our care during the school day, we aim to create an environment that minimises distractions and supports students’ focus on learning.

A smart watch is any watch that has messaging, calling, gaming, or internet capabilities. While some smart watches can be placed in ‘parent mode’ or restricted settings, managing which devices are in this mode would place a significant responsibility on teachers. To ensure consistency and fairness for all students, St Matthew's has implemented a blanket rule across the school.

Students are welcome to wear their smart watches to and from school. Upon arrival, we ask that they check in with parents if needed and then place their smart watches in their school bags for the remainder of the day. This approach enables us to prioritise both learning and student safety while maintaining the convenience these devices offer for families.

In addition to reducing distractions, this guideline is in place to support student wellbeing. Constant connectivity can sometimes lead to anxiety, social pressures, and interruptions to learning. By limiting access to smart watches during the school day, we encourage students to be present in their learning, engage in face-to-face interactions, and develop independence in problem-solving and communication. Furthermore, it enables us to uphold our duty of care by ensuring that all communication between students occurs through appropriate school channels, rather than unmonitored personal devices.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing this expectation with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Daniel Hunt

ICT Coordinator