No-phone Zone: Burnside ban helps inspire state moves for digital detox

“Our students are engaged with each other” ... Principal Kerri Dunn implemented a simple yet effective policy that has yielded benefits such as kids rushing to play table tennis at lunchtime.

Since its pioneering decision to ban phones on campus in 2008, Burnside State High School has become a shining example of the transformative impact the policy can have on student engagement and culture. 

Students also flock to the library to read or play board and card games.

Now,  the Head’s Up Alliance is campaigning for a smart-phone ban across all Queensland state high schools. 

Having led the way on this issue for over a decade, the school community at Burnside experiences the daily benefits. 

Principal Kerri Dunn had just arrived at the school and was shocked that students were even using their phones during Parade.

“There were students taking phone calls while I was addressing them,” Ms Dunn said. “At the time I thought ‘I am not going to be able to deal with this!’.”

In practice, the ban proved to be quite simple.

“It was a very easy recipe,” said Ms Dunn. “Good relationships and consultation with our parents and school community was the key. Support for the idea from parents and teachers was unanimous and I found that everyone got on board very quickly.”

At Burnside phones are out of sight during school time and have to be kept in pockets or bags. 

“If they are seen they are confiscated and students have to hand them in at the admin office or hand them over,” Ms Dunn explained. “On the third strike, parents have to collect. In some cases parents even say ‘oh they can go without them for the weekend’!

“If a student has their phone out I do not even have to say anything. They just know they have to take it to admin and hand it in,” she said.

“In 2008 there were only 380 students, and from that point on we made it abundantly clear on enrolment that this was a key rule at our school. Now the groundwork has been laid and with 900 students it is not an issue.”

The knock-on effect throughout the school is evident. 

“Many visitors and relief teachers comment that our students are engaged with each other, talking at lunch, playing games in the library, playing sports at lunch time and they are definitely not in the classrooms glued to their phones. 

“It has been fundamental to the lovely culture of our school and I welcome anyone to visit Burnside to see this in action.”