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2026 Cell Phone Policy

TOM NEWBY SCHOOL

Official source

Source domain: tomnewbyschool.co.za

Collected on 6 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This document is a school policy titled “2026 Cell Phone Policy” for Tom Newby School. It sets rules for learners bringing cell phones onto school premises, including when phones may be switched on, how phones must be registered with a signed permission letter, and what happens if phones are used during contact time or for illegal/cyber-bullying activities. It also includes required application and permission forms and a step-by-step procedure for handing in phones to the principal/strong room and collecting them from the strong room.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

permission applicationOngoing

Apply for permission to bring a cell phone to school during contact hours (Annexure M)

Parents can apply for permission for their child to bring a specific cell phone onto school premises during contact hours. The approval applies only to the phone listed and for the duration indicated on the permission letter, and a new application is required annually or if a different phone is used.

Who it is for
parents of learners who want their child to bring a registered cell phone to Tom Newby School during contact hours
How to act on it
Complete the application form (Annexure M) with the learner and phone details and submit it to the school for approval.
Show the line this came from
Parents are required to sign the cell phone policy in the homework diary and make application for their child to bring a cell phone onto school premises (Annexure M).
phone collection/returnOngoing

Request/collect a handed-in phone from the strong room (after a hand-in)

If a phone is handed in (for example, after being switched on during contact time), a parent can collect it from the strong room by submitting a written request, retrieving the phone, opening the envelope with the principal/nominee, and signing while the hand-in form is filed in the learner profile.

Who it is for
parents of learners whose phones have been handed in to Tom Newby School
How to act on it
Submit a written request to the school, retrieve the phone from the strong room, open the envelope with the principal/nominee and sign, after which the hand-in form is filed in the learner profile.
Show the line this came from
Learners who switch their cell phones on during contact time may be asked to hand their phones in until a responsible adult (parent) can collect the phone.
evidence submissionOngoing

Submit a phone to the school or the police as evidence (illegal/cyber-bullying messages/data)

Where a learner sends or receives illegal or cyber-bullying messages or data, the learner is required to submit their phone to the school or the police as evidence.

Who it is for
learners involved in illegal or cyber-bullying messages/data on their phones
How to act on it
Submit the phone to the school or to the police as evidence.
Show the line this came from
Learners who send or receive messages or data that is illegal or may be construed as cyber bullying, will be required to submit their phones to the school or the police as evidence.

Facts

Places

Gauteng

Key Takeaways

  • School: Tom Newby School
  • Applies to 2026 (policy title: 2026 Cell Phone Policy)
  • Learners may bring cell phones but may not turn them on until after school or after extra murals
  • School may require learners to switch phones on for examination of downloads/social networking material
  • Parents must sign the cell phone policy in the homework diary and apply to register the phone (Annexure M)
  • New application required each year and for a new device
  • Unregistered phones are treated as stolen property and kept until proof of ownership is provided
  • If a learner switches on during contact time, the phone may be handed in until a parent collects it
  • Illegal or cyber-bullying messages/data require submitting the phone to the school or police as evidence
  • No photos/videos of school activities unless permission granted by the principal
  • School does not take responsibility for loss or damage to phones
  • Phones may be stored for safety/security if policy is contravened or use is hazardous
  • Tablets and similar devices are subject to the same communication-device rules
  • Hand-in procedure includes: complete hand-in form, send parent notification home, place phone in labelled envelope (CELL PHONE HANDED IN) switched off, hand to principal/nominee, seal in presence of person, store in strong room
  • Collection procedure includes: parent submits written request, retrieves from strong room, opens envelope with principal/nominee and signs, then hand-in form filed in learner profile
  • Tom Newby School
  • Learners
  • Parents
  • Principal
  • Designated nominee
  • Educator/SMT/Admin Staff member
  • Police