From the Principal
Pope John XXIII is quoted as saying the following on his deathbed: “. . . the moment has come to discern the signs of the times, to seize the opportunity and to look far ahead”. It is incredible that the statement is as relevant today as it was 1963. In our role as teachers and parents “seize the opportunity and look far ahead” could be our mantra. “We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water the seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise” (Oscar Romero).
The call to respond to the signs of the times reverberates in many forums. This week’s Secondary Staff Meeting included agenda items on vaping and the concept of an inclusive uniform code. The decision to move to school-owned devices was motivated by the need to maintain the integrity of the learning program and establish gaming and social media as recreational pursuits. Similarly, staff at the College are called to respond to developments in AI and the emergence of software like ChatGPT.
Earlier this term, the Director General of the Department of Education released a statement that ChatGPT would be blocked across the department’s entire network, including school sites and teachers’ laptops. Catholic Education Western Australia has not banned the tool. John XXIII College has staff across all areas attending professional learning on ChatGPT and we see it as an opportunity to enhance the skills of our students. Key considerations will centre on providing students with opportunities to creatively use ChatGPT to enhance learning, to monitor its impact on assessments and to ensure that the tool is given recognition in cases where it has been used.
Creating opportunities to engage with ChatGPT has been fun. This week I decided to investigate what it would suggest that I say to visitors to the College at our Open Day on Saturday. This is the result:
I am thrilled to welcome you to John XXIII College, a coeducational Catholic College located in Mount Claremont. As the Principal of this wonderful institution, I am honoured to lead a team of dedicated educators who are committed to fostering an environment of academic excellence, personal growth, and spiritual development. At John XXIII College, we are guided by the Ignatian ethos, which emphasises the importance of nurturing the whole person through a holistic approach to education. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire our students to achieve their full potential, both academically and personally.
Our 24.6-hectare campus is a beautiful and peaceful environment for learning and growth, with well-manicured lawns and state-of-the-art facilities. Our community is a welcoming and inclusive one, where all are valued and respected. We are proud to be a People for Others community, where we encourage our students to develop a strong sense of social responsibility and to use their talents and abilities to make a positive difference in the world. We instil in our students the values of competence, conscience and compassion which guide them to be ethical and responsible citizens who are committed to creating a better world for all.
Our co-curricular programs are designed to provide students with a range of opportunities to explore their interests and passions, and to develop their leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. We offer a variety of sporting, musical, artistic, and service-oriented activities that enable our students to discover their strengths and to challenge themselves in new ways.
I invite you to explore our campus and to learn more about our vibrant and dynamic community.
I will leave it to you to decide whether ChatGPT did a good job. Perhaps some of the phrases will be included in what I say on Saturday.
One criticism I have is that it did not conclude with . . .
Together let us seek justice.
Kathleen Negus
Principal
John XXIII College Bursary 2024
John XXIII College has a strong and proud tradition of providing education to students who otherwise couldn’t attend the College. Thanks to the generosity of the John XXIII community, the Foundation is offering a Bursary to commence in 2024 for a student in Year 7 or above. The Bursary will cover the student’s standard fees and charges for the duration of their schooling at John XXIII College.
The Bursary is available to current and future families. Applications close 3pm Friday 28 April 2023. Please contact Kate Murphy for further information on 0403 345 662 or foundation@johnxxiii.edu.au
Applications and more information are available at https://foundation.johnxxiii.edu.au/bursary
To gift the gift of education by donating to the Bursary Fund go to
https://foundation.johnxxiii.edu.au/donate
The College Fees and Charges for 2022 are available at
https://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-parents/fees-and-charges