Does any Aussie think the public schooling system here is too strict especially at secondary level?

from the uniforms, to no secondary school students being allowed to have mobile phones on during school times (even breaks), no secondary school students aren't also allowed to leave during their lunch break without a written permisson not from parents. in canada, I heard from my canadian friend once you start jrn high (grd. 7-9), you are allowed to leave without parents permission, this is when I met here, she came down to Australia in 2005 january to start high school here, she was about to complete grade 9 (2nd semester 2004-2005 school year there) and started year 10 1st semester here because of age and differences in the schooling years. she said it was so strict, like we aren't babies she said, why not have phones on during recess and breaks? why the uniforms she said and why aren't we allowed to leave during lunch hours with out parents notes? even in high school? she went back to calgary in July that year 2005 and started back at grade 10 level in there first semester 1 in 2005-2006 year and said she couldn't belive how strict it was, please explain to me, why secondary students aren't allowed to leave during lunch hours in australia without permisson from parents (notes) and why not the phones on during breaks? thats insanity and no free dress? please explain to me why? why aren't we liberal enough, there system better prepares students for tertiary studies by being more leinient.? please explain, why are australian students so spoonfed here and babied? please comment?