The school has introduced Yondr pouches which lock students' phones inside and can only be opened at the end of the school day by tapping the pouch against a Yondr unlocking point.

The Yondr pouches were introduced to encourage interaction among students and engagement during classes.

"Wauchope High School trialed the pouches last year and had positive results. They saw that there were less disruption issues, more of an interest in learning and the students were interacting with each other more," Principal of Melville High School Victoria Staunton said.

The Department of Education says research shows that idle screen time spent by students on mobile phones can reduce their attention span, ability to retain information and overall academic performance. Inappropriate use can also expose students to social, emotional and even physical risk.

"The students were a bit against the idea but the parents love it. We want students to engage in a phone-free space."

Each student from Year 7 to Year 12 has received a Yondr pouch with an individual ID. They are responsible for their pouch and carry it with them throughout the day with their phone locked inside.

"They have been compliant so far, we've only had about four phones that we've found that haven't been in their pouch and there has only been one damaged pouch out of 600."

School Captain Ruby Crisp said there have been mixed responses from students.

"The junior students have rejected the idea a bit more but it's really just about getting used to it and once it settles in, it will be good," she said.

"Personally, I just miss being able to listen to music throughout the day.

"But I do think it will have a positive influence on students."

Year 12 student James Sinclair agrees and said he has noticed more engagement during classes since the pouches were introduced.

"I have seen more engagement shown by students and we've been able to get through more work in class because there isn't that distraction there," he said.

In 2019, Yondr surveyed over 400 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These results found progress in multiple areas including:

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from teachers already because it takes that argument away of telling the students to put their phone away during class," Ms Staunton said.

"I think any system that assists staff in enforcing a no phone rule is a good thing and will benefit the students."

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