Deputy Principal
Mr Simon Vaughan, Deputy Principal
As we move towards the end of Term 3, there are several important developments for our senior students and families at St Stephen's Catholic College.
Our Year 12 students have now completed their mock examinations, an important milestone in preparing for their final external assessments. These practice exams have provided students with valuable experience in examination conditions, helping them refine their study strategies, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence ahead of the formal assessment period.
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) external exams will commence on Monday of Week 4, Term 4. Over the coming weeks (holiday and term time), students are encouraged to maintain consistent study routines, seek support from their teachers where required, and prioritise their wellbeing through healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits.
Parents can play a significant role in supporting their child during this important time by helping to establish structured study schedules, providing a quiet workspace, and encouraging a balanced approach to preparation. Families seeking additional information about external assessments, study skills, subject requirements, and pathways beyond school are encouraged to visit the MyQCE website (https:myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au), which contains a wealth of practical resources and advice for students and parents.
In an exciting development, St Stephen's Catholic College will also be commencing a Microsoft Copilot 13+ enablement for students in Years 9 to 11 from the beginning of Term 4. Microsoft Copilot is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool designed to assist students with learning, organisation, research, brainstorming, and the development of digital literacy skills.
As a lighthouse school, this forms part of our ongoing commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape while ensuring the safe, responsible, and ethical use of emerging technologies in education. Throughout the process, students will receive guidance on appropriate use, digital citizenship, and the importance of critical thinking when engaging with AI-generated content.
Rather than replacing learning, Copilot will be used to enhance classroom experiences by helping students generate ideas, clarify concepts, support revision, and develop the skills needed to evaluate information effectively. Teachers will continue to direct and monitor learning activities to ensure that AI is used as a tool to support educational outcomes.
As we approach the final term of the year, we thank our families for their ongoing support and encouragement of our students. We wish our Year 12 cohort every success as they prepare for their external assessments and look forward to seeing our Years 9 to 11 students engage thoughtfully with new learning opportunities through the Copilot 13+ enablement.
Regards,
Simon Vaughan