The state government announced in June that from term one 2020 all public school students would have to turn off their phones and store them in their lockers during the school day, including at recess and lunch time.

While the new rules are a requirement for government schools, Warrnambool's independent and Catholic schools are all taking a consistent approach to the phone ban.

The ban aims to limit phones causing inappropriate bullying and distraction, and to boost social interaction. Exemptions include mobile phones needed for medical conditions and teacher-approved learning.

Warrnambool College principal David Clift said students were concerned they needed to contact part-time employers to schedule shifts while at school.

"I am hearing those shifts are arranged at very short notice, we don't want the only way for students to maintain a positive relationship with their employer to be by having to flaunt the ministerial order," Mr Clift said.

"There has been concerns that students will want to check messages sent from workplaces.

"We ask that employers do not attempt to contact the students during the school day. We really need whole of community support for this so students can focus on what they are there to do, and that's student learning."

The call comes as research showed this year that 81 per cent of year 11 and 12 students in Warrnambool were juggling part-time work.

Warrnambool's four secondary schools hosted a meeting for parents and students at Brauer College on Monday where educators explained reasons for the phone ban.

"With respect to the policies, they are very closely aligned at all Warrnambool secondary colleges, and it's been deliberately done so that parents and the whole community can see a whole of community response," Mr Clift said.

"I think this is unique to the Warrnambool area that we can work across three sectors of secondary schools, and it's something that is a strength of the way our education sector works together to achieve an environment where every student thrives."

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