St Joseph's College, Echuca

Teaching and Learning

Year 9 Work-From-Home Learning Day

On Wednesday 26 February, all Year 9 students – except for those in the Year 9 Arts Academy – will engage in a stud-from-home learning day as part of their ongoing learning program.

 

This day will allow students to reflect on their recent Amplify Provocation Day experience, which they participated in earlier this week. During their time at home, students will complete a structured reflection on the key themes and insights gained from the Provocation Day. This will help them consolidate their learning and consider how it connects to their personal development and future learning goals.

 

Additionally, students will undertake a learner profile analysis, designed to help them identify their strengths, challenges and learning preferences in preparation for the commencement of their learning project. This self-reflection will be a valuable exercise in guiding their approach to independent and collaborative learning throughout the term.

 

To support them, students will have access to clear instructions and guidelines via the Compass Event for this day. While students are completing these tasks at home, their Amplify Teachers will be engaged in professional development focused on assessment for the Amplify Program in partnership with Melbourne University.

 

We appreciate your support in ensuring your child is able to engage meaningfully with these tasks. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Celebrating Our Top VCE Students of 2024

Last week at our first assembly for the year we were proud to recognise the outstanding academic achievements of our top four Year 12 students from the Class of 2024. Their success reflects their dedication, perseverance and commitment to excellence throughout their time at St Joseph’s College.

Academic Excellence Awards

Kaitlyn Davidson was recognised for her dedication and strong work ethic. She consistently sought opportunities to deepen her understanding and refine her skills. Kaitlyn will be continuing her studies in Occupational Therapy.

 

Anastasia McLindon demonstrated both academic excellence and a strong commitment to service, balancing her studies with leadership and faith-based initiatives. 

 

Proxime Dux – Jaime Nunan

Jaime Nunan was recognised as Proxime Dux for her intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement. She embraced challenges with resilience and determination, particularly in subjects that required deep analytical thinking. Jaime will be furthering her studies in Nursing & Midwifery.

 

Dux of 2024 – Emily Polidano

Our Dux for 2024, Emily Polidano, exemplified academic excellence and leadership. A dedicated student with a passion for the Arts, she has contributed significantly to the creative life of our school while maintaining outstanding academic results. Emily will be pursuing a Double Degree in Design & Media.

 

Congratulations to Kaitlyn, Anastasia, Jaime and Emily on their achievements. We celebrate their hard work and wish them every success in the future.

 

 

Lisa Saillard

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

 

 

Exploring AI in Education: Insights from Matt Esterman’s Visit

 

On Monday 17 February, St Joseph’s College had the privilege of hosting Matt Esterman, a leading educator and expert in educational technology. Throughout the day, Matt worked with Learning Leaders, Student Leaders, staff, and parents to explore the current landscape of Generative AI and its impact on education.

 

Understanding the Role of AI in Classrooms

 

Matt provided an engaging and thought-provoking session, helping our community understand where AI stands today and how it is already being integrated into classrooms. He also challenged us to consider the future implications of AI, particularly in education, and discussed practical applications both at home and in learning environments.

As a result of this workshop, St Joseph’s curriculum leaders are continuing to work on developing AI guidelines to be shared with the broader school community. These guidelines will ensure that AI is used effectively and ethically within our educational setting.

 

Key Takeaways from the Presentation

 

For Staff: AI can be a valuable tool for reducing administrative workload, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to engaging directly with students.

 

For Students: AI has the potential to act as a Socratic tutor, offering guidance and feedback on student work. Excitingly, AI can now recognise live handwriting and interact via voice, making learning even more interactive. However, students must be cautious—AI is not infallible and still makes mistakes. It’s important to apply critical thinking. 

 

Critical Thinking and AI Use: While AI is a powerful tool, it should never replace critical thinking. Writing strong, well-structured prompts is key to getting the best results from AI. To craft an effective prompt, consider the following:

  • Be clear and specific about what you want AI to do.
  • Provide context or examples where necessary.
  • Use step-by-step instructions if the task is complex.
  • Experiment with rewording if the first response isn’t quite right.
  • Describe what you want the output to be

AI in Assessments: AI can assist in some stages of an assessment task but may not be appropriate for others. Teachers will guide students on when AI use is acceptable. Unless explicitly stated, students should assume AI is not permitted.

 

Overall, this session provided a fantastic opportunity to explore the evolving role of AI in education. As we move forward, St Joseph’s College remains committed to ensuring that AI is used responsibly, enhancing both teaching and learning while upholding academic integrity.

 

 

Rhys Leslie

Director - Data and Improvement