Top Adelaide private school Westminster School cracks down on student phone use with new device ban

A leading Adelaide school has banned digital devices for students up to year 10 and created phone-free zones, in a move to improve face-to-face communication.

Westminster year 10 students, Lavanya, right, and Stella, year 9 students Thomas, and Lily, left, in the library. Picture: Dean Martin

Digital devices will be banned for students and there will be designated technology-free zones at Westminster School under a plan to improve student wellbeing.

For all students up to year 10, personal devices, including phones and tablets, will be inaccessible and stored in lockers throughout the day.

Senior students will only be permitted to use their devices for specific assignments under teacher supervision and with prior approval.

Students Lavanya, Stella, Thomas and Lily in the library, which is one of the phone-free zones. Picture: Dean Martin

The school’s library and cafe will be designated phone-free zones.

Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to comply with the restrictions while on campus.

For year 10 student Lavanya, 15, the move was “a long time coming”.

“School’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’re there for 12 years, once you’re gone you’re out and students need to make the most of it,” she said.

“I think students will have to learn how to manage without them (digital devices).”

Thomas, in year 9, believes “students will be able to communicate face-to-face more” with the ban.

“We need to detach (from devices),” the 15-year-old said.

The move was made to create “the conditions for students to think deeply, connect genuinely and live with purpose”, Westminster School principal Simon Shepherd said.

Year 10 students, Lavanya (right), 15, and Stella, 16 (left), with year 9 students, Thomas, 15, and Lily, 14 (back) in the library. Picture: Dean Martin

“When our students step away from their screens, they gain time,” he said.

It comes after St Ignatius’ College banned access to digital devices for students up to year 3 level and heavily restricted their use for their peers up to year 9.

All year levels will have restricted access to digital technology across the entire school week at both its Norwood and Athelstone campuses from 2026.

A phone ban was introduced in public schools in 2023.

Originally published as Top Adelaide private school Westminster School cracks down on student phone use with new device ban