Principal's Report

Dear families,

Last month, Pope Leo released a new encyclical based on the impact of AI in our relationships with another. This was titled Magnifica Humanitus (Humans are Magnificent). It this teaching, Pope Leo appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace. Leo states that AI can be a useful tool however it will never replace human relationships. AI can imitate and simulate the person, but it does not possess a moral conscience, empathy, or affective, relational or spiritual capabilities. A link to a summary of the encyclical can be found here.

As a frequent user of AI (last month I had AI create a Scavenger Hunt around the Melbourne CBD for the Year 11 camp – perfect and took just minutes to design), I encourage staff and students to use AI as a tool to improve efficiencies , however that use must not replace creative and critical thinking and all use of AI should be referenced appropriately. In the last newsletter, I referenced the new changes legislated into education regarding wearable technologies (ear buds, smart watches etc) as the research on the impact of social media on teens continues to present concerning data. A different way of considering this issue is to ask, what things are your kids missing out on while online – family time, sport, leisure, the opportunity to be bored and to daydream?

This week, Year 10 and Year 11 students completed their end of semester exams and final assessments. Parents of all students will be sent the semester reports on 25 June via PAM. We are currently seeking feedback from parents as to how we can improve the information that you receive on your child’s performance. Most of the information is there on PAM, however the user experience can always be improved. 

On Tuesday, 16 June, VCE students studying a Unit 3  / 4 subject will undertake the General Achievement Test (GAT) – an external test that ranks them according to general knowledge. This is not a test that can be studied for as the content is general in nature. Below is a sample question from last year’s GAT – this is one of the easier ones (at least one that I could do!!). Have a go at this question – no Calculators.

At a refill shop, customers bring their own containers and pay according to the mass of the food they buy. The price of muesli is $2.38 per 100 g at the refill shop. 

What is the cost of 550 g of muesli? 

A. $7.88 

B. $13.09 

C. $14.28 

D. $16.50

The final day this term will be 26 June and students will be dismissed at 1:30pm, with bus travellers being supervised until 2:20pm . Our final assembly for the semester will be on Thursday 25 June at 8:50am and we warmly welcome family members to attend to help us celebrate all that is great at St Brigid’s College.

Stay safe,

Gerard Raven