This policy outlines the appropriate use of mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads and other electronic devices at Conroy Dance Centre.
Conroy Dance Centre recognises that personal communication through mobile technologies is an accepted part of everyday life but that such technologies need to be used well.
Our core business of teaching dance needs to be conducted in an environment free from unnecessary distractions or disruptions, and where students can learn creatively in a safe environment. Therefore, the dance centre strongly discourages the bringing of mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices to the dance centre by students, and does not allow these devices to be brought into the dance studios unless requested by a teacher.
Conroy Dance Centre has established the following Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads and other electronic devices that provides teachers, students, parents and carers guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of these devices during dance centre hours. Students, their parents, or carers must read and understand the Acceptable Use Policy before bringing any electronic device to the dance centre. This Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices also applies to staff, students, parents and carers during eisteddfods, concerts and extra-curricular activities both at the dance centre and off-site.
We recognise that many older students travel directly to dancing from school, and therefore may carry electronic devices such as mobile phones for safety and security. Conroy Dance Centre is prepared to allow these devices on the premises but only within the parameters of the policy as stated below.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of students, staff, parents, or carers who bring mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices to the dance centre to abide by the guidelines outlined in this document.
The decision to provide a mobile phone, smart watch, I-pad or other electronic device to their children should be made by parents or carers. It is incumbent upon parents to understand the capabilities of the device and the potential use/misuse of those capabilities.
Parents/carers should be aware if their child takes a mobile phone, smart watch, I-pad or other electronic device to the dance centre it is assumed household insurance will provide the required cover in the event of loss or damage. The dance centre accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices, or for any liability due to their misuse.
Parents/carers are reminded that in cases of emergency, reception at the dance centre remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly and assisted in any relevant way.
GUIDELINES
All Students
Students should not bring valuable items to the dance centre, as they can be easily lost or stolen. Students remain responsible for all their personal effects whilst at the dance centre. Lockers are available for hire for protection of student’s personal property when at dancing.
Students under 18 yrs of age
Mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices are not permitted to be used at the dance centre by any student under 18 years of age.
Students who bring a mobile phone or smart watch with them, either by choice or because they attend the dance centre directly from their educational school are required to collect a Yondr pouch from reception and lock these devices in the pouch on arrival. The devices are stored at the owner’s risk and the dance centre will accept no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged personal property. All personal property should be clearly marked with the student’s name.
The Yondr Program employs a simple, lockable pouch that stores a mobile phone. Every student will secure their phone in a Yondr pouch when they arrive at the dance centre each day. At performance venues the pouches will be distributed at the sign-in desk or by a staff member on arrival. The students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until they are unlocked at the end of their dance day. The phone pouches may also be unlocked short-term to allow for vocal recordings or choreography videos at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
I-pads or laptops required for educational purposes may only be used with permission, and under the supervision of a staff member.
Should a student under 18 yrs be seen using a mobile phone or smart watch at the dance centre, they will be requested to place it in a Yondr pouch. I-pads or laptops brought to the dance centre and used without permission will be held by a staff member and returned to the student following their dance classes. In the instance of continued non-compliance, the device/s will be confiscated, and a parent/guardian will be required to collect these from reception.
The Yondr pouch has been purchased and is owned by the dance centre. If a student damages a Yondr pouch, he/she will be held responsible. The student’s phone will be confiscated, and a parent must come to the dance centre to retrieve it. The cost of a replacement pouch ($40) will be charged to the parent’s account.
An exemption is available for students that require the use of phones for medical purposes eg. students with Type 1 Diabetes measuring blood sugar levels.
Staff, students 18 years & over, parents & carers
Any use of mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices within the dance centre must be in accordance with the guidelines below, and in conjunction with our social media policy.
It is expected that staff, adult students, parents & carers recognise the role they play in educating and modelling behaviours that underpin the safe, responsible, and respectful use of digital devices and online services. In recognition of the policy for students under 18 years, it is expected that mobile phones only be used for professional obligations such as checking emails, and that the use of social media within the dance centre is minimised.
Using mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices to bully and threaten other students/parents is unacceptable. Cyber bullying will not be tolerated. In some cases, it can constitute criminal behaviour. If the use of technology humiliates, embarrasses, or causes offence it is unacceptable regardless of whether ‘consent’ was given.
Persons with mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices may not engage in personal attacks, harass another person, or post private information about another person using SMS messages, taking/sending photos or objectionable images, and phone calls. Students, parents/carers using mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices to bully other students or parents will face disciplinary action and may have their enrolment at the dance centre terminated. It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone, smart watch, I-pad or other electronic device to menace, harass or offend another person. As such, the dance centre may consider it appropriate to involve the police.
Staff, students, parents/carers must ensure that files stored on their phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices do not contain violent, degrading, racist or pornographic images. The transmission of such images is a criminal offence. Similarly, ‘sexting’ – which is the sending of personal sexual imagery - is also a criminal offence.
Mobile phones, smart watches, I-pads or other electronic devices are not to be used or taken into changing rooms or toilets or used in any situation that may cause embarrassment or discomfort to their fellow students, staff or visitors to the dance centre.
Students, parents/carers should not place images of other children taken at the dance centre on social media sites without permission from the parents involved.
The dance centre has the right to take action if a student is involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when a student is out of the dance centre, and where they involve membership of the dance centre community (examples would be cyber-bullying, use of images or personal information).
Changes to this Mobile Phone & Electronic Devices policy
Please note that the mobile phone & electronic devices policy may change from time to time.
Last updated: May 2023.