Principal's Message
Martian Sunset
Dear St John’s Community,
Here's an interesting question for you. Have you ever been fooled by AI? No, well, the chances are, you have been, and are, every single day!
Findings from VisualGSP research and image testing in Australia and New Zealand has shown that while 69% of people could spot at least one AI image, a staggering 95% also mistakenly thought real images were AI-generated.
This has prompted calls for AI images to be identifiable and clearly labelled.
It may appear as harmless fun on social media, even useful if you know the things to avoid, but it’s becoming a huge problem in so many ways.
The explosion of AI in the last 18 months has made it easier than ever to trick people online. With a few simple prompts, anyone can create photorealistic images and videos, even with sound. Bots that appear human are already spreading serious falsehoods and misinformation across the internet and social media platforms, tricking kids, parents and even companies. Most of these have the potential to cause very real harm. Not to mention that AI tech can be used to create criminal material that hurts innocent people.
Mia Zelu, is listed on the internet as an “AI" influencer”. There are hundreds of images in her online profile. She has amassed 165000 followers from just 55 posts on Instagram, she has inspired a cult like following. But...she's not real, she does not exist. She’s an AI creation, a Bot. The sad thing is that many of her followers are aware and don't seem to care.
One elderly couple reported that they travelled 4.5 hours across the country to go on a cable ride they saw online, only to find it didn’t exist. Its profile, images of the cable ride, the location and surrounding activities and scenery was all generated by artificial intelligence. Tickets, ticket prices and full details of the experience all appeared online. All of it was created by an AI Bot unleashed onto the internet without restrictions.
A lot of technology experts are starting to agree that, “The burden of discerning real from synthetic content shouldn’t fall solely on the user. Creators of AI models and adopters of AI bear a significant responsibility to encourage transparent, ethical and responsible use of generative AI.”
Considering that recent testing by American university MIT revealed most current AIs are incorrect 51% of the time, we really need to know what's real and what's not. Another reason while critical thinking and discernment in children is needed now more than ever.
John Paul College invites families from St John's to join an online workshop, How to Help Our Children Stay Safe Online, presented by Ctrl+Shft and led by digital safety expert Anna Hayes.
Thursday 7 August - 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Online via Teams
Parents and carers only
This engaging and practical session will explore the challenges young people face online and offer clear strategies to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing. Topics include managing group chats, protecting personal data, respectful online behaviour, and navigating misinformation, scams, and gaming.
Please review the attached flyer.
Each year, we use this event to raise funds for different sports-related features for the students and the school. Last year, we raised enough funds to start work on a long jump pit, purchase new portable soccer goals and replace a lot of the old sports equipment for the classrooms.
This year, the goal is to raise funds to finish the Long jump pit, purchase new balls for different sports and hopefully replace some of the worn safety padding on the goal posts on the oval.
The Skipathon will take place on Friday, 15th August, during the day at school. Every student is able to participate on the day, and if parents would like to test themselves, they are welcome to join in as well!
For every $20 raised by a student, they will receive 1 ticket into the draw to win a bike. There is a prize to be won for the juniors (P-2), middles (3-4) and the seniors (5-6).
Anyone can donate to the Skipathon via Trybooking
Important Note: When completing your donation, please include the name of the child it is for rather than your name on the receipt. If you forget, just let the office know and they can allocate the child's name to the donation for you.
NAPLAN
For those parents of students in Grade 3 and 5 this year the following document has been provided to help understand the individual student reports you received this week.
Year of Jubilee
As many are aware this is the Year of Jubilee in the Catholic Church. This week we enter the Jubilee of Catechists. These days recognise the importance catechists play in passing on the faith and to express gratitude for their efforts.
We pray:
Loving Father,
we pray today for our catechists. We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church.
Grant them your wisdom that they may grow in the understanding and teaching of your Word. Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds of your Word and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them the wisdom to know what to teach; knowledge of the truths of faith; understanding of their meaning; right judgement about how to apply them in life; courage to persevere even in the face of adversity; reverence before all that is sacred and holy; and that loving zeal which leads others to a transforming encounter with your Son.
We pray this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
St John's Footy Tips
Mr Aron's opening up his lead! We have to catch him!
Top 10 Footy Tips
1 - JARON96 122
2 – Mr B 118
3 - ASHFOUDY 118
4 – JESSA1923 118
5 – Mr LEFEBVRE 117
6 – MISSBNG2014 115
7 – EZNDAZ 114
8 – TOONAUSSIE 113
9 – MASTERPNG2018 112
10 – MATT-LEDGER 112
School Uniform Reminder
Just to clarify for everyone, we no longer have a Summer and Winter uniform. There is only a School Uniform and a Sport Uniform.
Happy Skipping,
Derek Bruitzman
Principal
Jokes of the week: (These are bad, I know!)
Q. What's the difference between ice and icicle?
A. Ice has noel.
Q. What kind of fish do penguins catch at night??
A. Starfish
Q. What can you catch in the winter, even with your eyes closed?
A. A cold.
Fun facts of the week:
If you live to be 84 years old, you've spent about 28 years of your life sleeping!
Rats can laugh, but our human ears can't hear it because its out of our range! Wow!
Greenland Sharks live for up to 500 years. Female sharks can be pregnant for up to 18 years before giving birth...
