Yondr System Commencing Term 1 2024

Joseph Banks Secondary College acknowledges the educational value of digital devices and online services in supporting and enhancing educational outcomes and student wellbeing.

Whilst we recognise that mobile phones are an integral part of 21^st century life, it is also important that we create an environment that focuses on learning for students and reduces distractions that impact our students’ academic, social, and emotional wellbeing at school.

As you may be aware, the Department of Education WA has banned the use of mobile phones in schools and currently has an ‘Off and Away All Day’ policy. After carefully considering community consultation and the directive from the State Education Minister, we have decided to proceed by using Yondr pouches to secure mobile phones during the school day. The survey response from families, earlier in the term, supported this initiative.

We are writing to share the exciting news that we will be making our school a mobile phone free space to improve learning and engagement. We are using a system called Yondr to achieve this goal. Yondr is currently used globally in over 2000 schools as well as at concerts, comedy shows, weddings and special events of all kinds. The goal of these spaces is to encourage students to engage fully with their learning and each other.

The Yondr Program employs a simple, lockable pouch that stores a mobile phone. Every student will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school each morning. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their puches are unlocked at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times. Click on this link to view How Yondr Works.

Please note students will be required to bring either cash or a bank card to be able to purchase food from the College café from 2024.
We are encouraged by the effects of this system in other schools across Australia. In 2019, Yondr surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:

69% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance
84% of schools saw an increase in student engagement in the classroom
80% of schools saw a decrease in behaviour referrals

We believe the Yondr program will allow our students to:

Be more mindful and less distracted
Be more engaged in classroom activities
Improve their communication and interpersonal skills

In addition, we expect there will be a decrease in bullying and harassment through social media.

In our current policy, all communication between parents and students during school hours should occur via the school administration or community offices. This will still apply with the introduction of the Yondr program.

In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in the adoption of the Yondr Program at Joseph Banks Secondary College.

We will be launching this program from Day 1 of Term One in 2024. Students will receive their pouch on the first day and details around its use will be explained to them.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly via email at josephbanks.sc@education.wa.edu.au or on9303 7400. Further information will be posted on our social media platforms.

Sincerely,

Executive Team
Joseph Banks Secondary College