From today, new government regulations require students not to use or access a phone while they're attending school, including break times. 

The legislated phone ban won't change much for Opunake High School as they have had a "Phones Off, Brains On" policy in place for a few years. 

Principal Andrea Hooper Carr tells Kerre Woodham her school noticed a significant change in behaviours as the wave of cellphones in schools began around nine years ago, including less socialisation in classes and less interaction with teachers. 

Since banning phones at Opunake High School, Hooper Carr has seen grades improve. 

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