Mobile phone ban making big difference in Alice Springs school

Alice Springs teacher Tammy Hawkins says students have to have rules like no mobile phones at school for a reason.

In a world where technology and social media is playing an ever-increasing role in our lives, Tammy Hawkins, acting deputy principal at St Philip’s College in Alice Springs, says we need to do more to protect young minds.

In her dual role also as head of wellness at the school, prioritising mental health in this tech-age is key in protecting students from the onslaught of social media and inappropriate content.

“I take wellbeing classes helping students with strategies around self-awareness to get the best out of their mental health. It’s something here at the college that we really focus on,” Ms Hawkins said.

“Social media, that electronic world that is open to them from electronic devices it’s good to have, but young people are trying to find their way and they can make poor choices. For some, having access to that in this 24/7 world can be quite overwhelming.”

The school has also implemented a “no mobile phone policy” asking students to turn off their phone as soon as they enter the school gates, which has worked surprisingly well.

Tammy Hawkins is the acting deputy principal at St Philip's College at Alice Springs

“It’s a clear and consistent procedure. It’s something the new staff always comment on, they cannot believe how the students adhere to the rules in regards to the phone use so well.”

The intent isn’t to shut them off from the outside world, as Ms Hawkins explains, (“as we already live in an isolated area”), but to refocus their attention on school.

Ms Hawkins is well aware a large number of graduating students will move away from Alice Springs to continue studying or find work, which makes her more inclined to ready them for life outside of the region.

“Some remain in town but they spread out like dandelions in the wind to other major capitals, so we strive to install some self-awareness and resilience and strength to tackle challenges that may come their way. We ask them to give everything a red-hot go.

“It’s not just about doing well academically, which we do, but if we can build internal fortitude to get up when knocked down, that’s also great.”

The Year 11 students get to go on an incredible 11-day trek through the Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell National Park, NT. Picture: Paul Ashenden

With an incredible backyard courtesy of Mother Nature, Ms Hawkins says the opportunity for outdoor education is hard to pass up. The culmination of this is a year 11 camp where the students go on an 11-day adventure carrying everything they need on their backs. They also go on a 48-hour solo crisscross through the Larapinta Trail in the MacDonnell Ranges.

“They come back from there and really reflect. They really look at things differently after that camp,” Ms Hawkins said.

NOMINATE AUSTRALIA’S BEST TEACHERS BELOW