Technology Guidelines

Technology is a part of everyday life. It is a significant part of our current boarders’ generation and is undoubtedly a crucial resource for their educational journey. Boarders have a responsibility to use this technology appropriately and to self-regulate the amount of screen time they are exposed to.

Education and communication are necessary from staff and parents regarding the correct use of technology. Research clearly shows that technology (computer or phone related screen time) significantly interferes with and disrupts sleep (decreased quality of sleep and REM sleep). It can be anti-social and a distraction from school work. By technology, we refer to computers, mobile phones, iPods, PSP’s and other forms of gadgetry that boarders may choose to bring into the Boarding House.

Boarders are only permitted to bring one mobile phone into Halls of Residences. We highly recommend students (particularly in Year 7-9) use “dumb phones” and not “smart phones.
“Boarders in Year 7-10 must hand in their phone and iPad every night to the designated charging station in their Hall of Residence. If a student hands in a fake/burner phone they will have their active phone confiscated for 7 days and the fake/burner phone will be sent home.
“Boarders in Year 11-12 may keep their phones and iPads in their rooms overnight but they are not permitted to use them after lights-out.
“If a Senior Boarder requires their phone in the mornings for on-campus activities they may leave them outside of the designated charging station area but cannot charge them overnight.
“The use of VPN’s to access inappropriate materials is prohibited.
“All online access should be in accordance with the Online Safety Act 2021- including those relating to age-restricted access for students under the age of 16. Please note new restrictions to this Act which come into effect on November 28, 2025. These additional restrictions include, but are not limited to, access to social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Snap Chat.

Each breach of policy is recorded for the incident of misuse, not for the device being misused. That is, a boarder will not receive three breaches of policy for each device but rather each time any of their devices are being misused. If a communication device such as a mobile phone is confiscated it will not be returned when a boarder takes leave and parents/guardians must be aware that this may increase the risk of applying for or approving leave during a confiscation period.

In 2026 all Senior School student cohorts will have transitioned from Bring Your Own Devices to a School issued iPad. As such, from the beginning of 2026 Boarders will only be permitted to bring one mobile phone and their School issued iPad into residence for use during term times. The use of other external laptops or tablets will not be permitted.

Boarders are not to take their phones to School during the school day, they must remain in their room or tech storage areas .

Internet network and wi-fi use by boarders

Students will be required to sign the School’s Acceptable Use Policy before they can use technology within boarding. Any student who violates the agreement will be restricted in their use of computing facilities.

• The internet service at Guildford Grammar School exists to provide access to curriculum related information; however, we do understand that technology is a part of every young person’s right and our goalis to ensure safe use of this technology.
• Accessing inappropriate material is not permitted. Inappropriate material includes pornography, extreme violence, gambling, terrorism, illicit drugs materials, and hacking.
• Users will not record or process information which might knowingly infringe any
  patents or copyright.

Consequences for breaches of these criteria
If a boarder is found to have breached the above criteria, the following consequences
may apply:

• 1st Breach — Device will be confiscated for a 24 hour period and stored at Boarding Reception.
• 2nd Breach — Device will be confiscated for a 48 hour period and stored at Boarding Reception.
• 3rd Breach — Device will be confiscated for one week (7 day period) and stored at Boarding Reception.
• 4th Breach — Device will be confiscated for the remainder of the term and stored with the Deputy Head of Boarding, only to be returned in person to the parent/guardian.

Parents/guardians will be contacted after the second breach of policy. A record of breaches will be clearly maintained by boarding staff and accessible to boarders at all times via the Duty Office.