Sun Sep 15 17:21:16 UTC 2024: ## Cellphone Ban Brings Back Games and Conversation at Mount Albert Grammar

**Auckland, New Zealand** – Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) is experiencing a welcome shift in student culture since the government enforced a nationwide cellphone ban in schools. The school, known for its large student population of over 3400, had already moved towards a ban last year, observing the negative impact of constant screen time.

MAGS headmaster, Patrick Drumm, has noted a significant change in student behavior during break times. Students are now engaging in more conversation and physical activity, opting for handball courts and lunchtime games instead of passively scrolling through their phones. “We’ve had to reintroduce rules about kicking rugby balls in the quad because students are actually doing it again,” Drumm said.

The school has observed an overall increase in student interaction and a move towards “getting back to the good old ways of connecting with people”. While concerns were initially raised about parents being unable to contact their children, this has not been a major issue, and parent feedback has been positive.

However, not all schools have experienced such a dramatic shift in culture. Papatoetoe High School principal and SPANZ (Secondary Principals’ Association New Zealand) president, Vaughan Couillault, says the ban has made classroom management easier but enforcing the ban outside of class has been more challenging. Couillault believes the government should have prioritized a policy against vaping, which he sees as a bigger issue in schools.

Despite mixed experiences, many schools have supported the ban inside the classroom to minimize distractions. The overall consensus, however, is that the cellphone ban has contributed to a more positive and engaged learning environment.

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