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Hello everyone, I'm Miss Cheek, the year 7 Head of Year. I'm sending this message in place of my usual e-mail update at the start of this week. It was brought to my attention that there was a year seven group chat on WhatsApp. Upon investigation it was found that pupils had been sending messages during lessons, sending mugs of other pupils, 

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and even taking photos and sharing those photos of members of staff - all breaching acceptable use of mobile phones in school. 

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Later this week, again, it was brought to my attention that another group chat had been created. On this group chat, offensive language, homophobic language and body shaming comments had been made. This chat continued, with some children planning a fight the following day. Other children 

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were goading this behaviour and even created a poll to vote on the outcome of the fight. I am horrified that such vile communication was taking place between our year sevens. The next day, a physical altercation took place, something we can all recognise as inappropriate. 

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Whilst phones are not permitted to be used in school between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM, there are sometimes occasions when teachers may give permission for pupils to use phones, for example, taking part in online quizzes or researching work. From Monday the 25th of November. There will be no 

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permitted use of phones by students in year 7. 

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My request is that unless it is vital your child brings their phone into school, their phones remain at home. If pupils are seen to have used their phones during the school day, their phone will be confiscated and if this behaviour reoccurs, hub sanctions will be applied. College staff will be supporting this both 

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in and out of school time. 

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I also want to remind you that social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp have age restrictions. 

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None of these apps have 

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an age restriction which allows for year 7 pupils to be using them. Please actively monitor your child's phone to ensure they're being used appropriately. 

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Parents of pupils who have been identified as taking an active role in these group chats will be contacted over the next few days. 

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As outlined in our school behaviour policy, we can sanction for online misbehaviour when it poses a threat or causes harm to another pupil, has repercussions on the orderly running of the school or adversely affects the reputation of the school. The taunting behaviour online, which resulted in a physical altercation 

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has caused harm to another pupil and affected the orderly running of the school. 

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If further incidents of such behaviour occur, I will have no choice but to continue to apply sanctions to those who have chosen to make those poor behaviour choices. 

To confirm there will be no use of mobile phones under any circumstances for year sevens from Monday the 25th of November. 

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This will be reviewed in the spring term. Please use the year seven help e-mail to make contact if you have any questions or would like to discuss further. Thank you.