New Mentone Grammar principal bans phones in school

A top Victorian school has banned students from using mobile phones on campus under a new principal, who says too much screen time puts students at risk of depression and harm.

Another leading Victorian school has banned mobile phone usage on campus by students, warning of the risk of addiction, harm and depression caused by excessive screen time.

Mentone Grammar has reversed its previous position on its senior students using phones, signalling a new era under a new principal at the school.

From 2025, year 10 to 12 students will not be able to use their phones while they are at school.

The ban has already taken effect for younger students, and the senior students are “strongly encouraged to lead by example and not to use their phones at recess and lunchtime”.

New principal Andy Muller took over the reins at the prestigious grammar school in 2024, replacing Mal Cater, who had been principal for 17 years.

Mentone Grammar, under new principal Andy Müller, has reversed its previous position on its senior students using phones.

Under Mr Cater, the school’s mobile phone policy stated that phones were an

“acceptable part of society” and that usage should “reflect societal trends”.

Back then, senior students were given freedom of choice in a bid to help them manage their mobile phone use, and were allowed to bring their phone to school and use it during the day while ensuring it did not interrupt the learning of others

Mr Muller has taken a strong stand opposing this approach.

“All schools strive to provide a safe environment for their students and staff. Knowingly allowing a practice to continue that has the potential to contribute to the harm of the community is irresponsible,” he wrote to parents this week.

It comes amid a News Corp push to have the social media age of consent raised to 16.

One mother said most kids “hate the new policy”.

Mr Muller says he’s had a ‘pretty good’ reception from parents and staff.

Mr Muller told the Herald Sun that students were “frustrated but were copping it on the chin”.

“It’s hard because of the addictive nature of screens. I feel sorry for them as Covid drove them to screens and now we are taking them away,” he said.

He said he had a “pretty good” reception from parents and staff were pleased.

One mother told the Herald Sun the restrictions “couldn’t come soon enough”.

“I’m thrilled that they’ll be implementing them for the older year levels in due course.

“I see no reason for my kids to have access to their phones during the day, and as we see more and more research in this area I think (and hope) no phones at school will become the norm,” she said.

Trinity Grammar pioneered a ban in 2019. Picture: Mark Stewart

It comes after Wesley College, which has campuses in Glen Waverley, Elsternwick and St Kilda, banned all on-campus phone use among its years five to nine cohort in May, saying its aim was to promote “healthier social interactions” and enhance engagement in the classroom.

Many other private schools have already banned phones from being used by students during the school day, starting with Trinity Grammar which pioneered a ban in 2019.

All state schools applied the phone ban from the start of 2020, requiring students to have their mobile phones switched off and securely stored during school hours, including lunchtimes.

Dr Kerrie Buhagiar from Smiling Mind said there is “no doubt that tech companies can and should do more to make their platforms safer”.

“In the same way that schools take on the responsibility for safety within their playgrounds, tech companies must unequivocally be held to account for the safety of their own ‘digital playgrounds’.”