Phone Policy


Phone Free School

Dear Parents, 

Mangakōtukutukut College acknowledges the educational value of digital devices and online services in supporting and enhancing educational outcomes and student wellbeing. We also recognize they may cause harm if used inappropriately and that we need to support our students to use them in safe, responsible and respectful ways in order to enhance student learning and engagement. 

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 with each other and their surroundings. 

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. They will maintain possession of their phones, and will not use them until they 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. 

We are encouraged by the effects of this system in learning institutions. 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 an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in adoption of the Yondr Program at Mangakōtukutuku College. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly on 07 899 8057. There will also be further information posted on school communication platforms. 

Sincerely, 

Samantha Farook
Deputy Principal

How Yondr Works


Frequently Asked Questions

We want our students to be engaged in their learning. Please refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is necessary. Contact the main office at 07 899 8057 to reach your child.

In case of an emergency, we direct our students to safety first. School staff will be able to unlock a Yondr pouch in a matter of seconds for students once they are in a safe and secure location.

Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks where it is safe.

The Yondr pouch belongs to the school just like any other school supply. 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 school to retrieve it.

The school policy would allow for an exemption for those students that require the use of phones for medical purposes e.g. students with Type 1 Diabetes measuring blood sugar levels

Mobile phones are not required at school and students have access to more suitable technology such as laptop banks and computer rooms for most tasks.

If deemed suitable, portable unlocking stations can be utilised in the classroom to allow for the use of phones for educational purposes. The phones will then be locked back into the pouch.