Territory kids have headed back to school, but mobile phones will be prohibited

Thousands of Territory children have headed back to school, but new restrictions on phones will be a learning curve. Find out why here.

Parap Primary school students set up new class rules as school returns for the first time in 2023. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Thousands of Territory children have kissed their parents goodbye and headed back to class.

On Tuesday more than 33,000 public school children began the 2023 school year, including 2700 transition students.

Parap Primary School counsellor and mother, Emma Dorrian said her children, nine-year-old Hazelle and eight-year-old Owen were ready to return to class after the six-week summer holidays.

“It’s all done now so I can relax,” Ms Dorrian said.

“None of them have shed a tear this morning.”

Hazelle Dorrian hugs her mum Emma Dorrian goodbye at Parap Primary as school goes back for the first time in 2023. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ms Dorrian said her kids were ready to say goodbye to “Mum and Dad” and return to routine.

“Yeah, I’m not offended at all. It’s amazing,” she said.

This will be the first year all Territory schools will implement a no-phones policy, meaning students will be made to place their mobiles in lockers or at the office for the duration of the day.

It follows several incidents including schoolyard fights, which were filmed and leaked to media, as well as escalating rates of online bullying.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said schools would design their own mobile phone policy.

The government said mobile-free zones in classrooms and school grounds will help teachers and staff focus on learning where children can feel safe.

“Mobile phones can be confiscated by the school if the student is using the device and they have not been given an exemption to use it,” Ms Fyles said.

“The student or parent or carer will need to collect the phone after school. This will depend on the school policy as well as the frequency of non-compliance.”