SECONDARY NEWS
FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY
Unfortunately, last week the media reported on another school community that has become impacted by student behaviour online. This time it was the use of AI software to distort images and then publish images that were of a sexually explicit nature. The ramifications of this behaviour will be far-reaching and yet this is not the first and won’t be the last time the media reports on such an incident.
This latest incident involves the use of deep fake technology which has gained notoriety through its misuse in creating non-consensual explicit content and celebrity impersonations. However, its applications have seen deep fakes used in various fields, including entertainment, advertising, and even education. Despite these legitimate uses, we have been reminded of the potential for harm, especially for vulnerable populations like school-aged children.
What makes deep fakes particularly alarming is the accessibility of the tools required to create them. With the proliferation of user-friendly software and mobile apps, almost anyone with a basic understanding of technology can produce convincing deep fakes. A very quick Google search comes up with a number of AI apps and the following description: “Deepfake apps use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to create hyper-realistic media by swapping or synthesizing faces, voices, or movements. These tools are designed for fun, creativity, and even research purposes. Popular among content creators, influencers, and meme enthusiasts, deepfake apps can produce everything from personalized GIFs to animated portraits in minutes.”
The alarming aspect of this technology is the ease of access our children have to software like this and the sheer damage it can do when used inappropriately. This new technology is essentially adding to our knowledge base and the saying with great knowledge comes great responsibility is never truer. Our young people are exposed to so much and have skillsets we could only have imagined when we were young, however; the missing element is wisdom.
As parents, we must continue to stay abreast of the latest trends and invest time in our children. Know what they are doing online, check in to see what they are accessing, who they are following, and who is following them.
It is very timely that next week Susan McLean is visiting the school to speak to the students and parents. Susan is one of Australia’s foremost experts in the area of cyber security and is often referred to as the “cybercop”, having spent nearly 30 years in the Victorian Police Force. I would encourage parents to attend her presentation on Tuesday 4 March.
Please register your attendance via Events Online.
Mr Darren MacLeod-Paterson
Head of Secondary
FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
Colours Embroidery
Parents are reminded that the last day for the delivery of pockets to the Uniform Shop for colours embroidery will be Friday 7 March.
Students in Years 8 and 9 who are receiving colours for the first time do not need to remove their blazer pockets. Embroidery is completed on an ‘over-pocket’ that can be purchased at the Uniform Shop. The blazers of older students with existing embroidery will need to remove this over-pocket and bring this to the Uniform Shop.
The Uniform Shop has records of all colour awards. Original certificates are no longer required to be supplied.
Scott Mayall
Dean of Students
Year 12 Captains visit Prep
Last week, our Year 12 Captains made a special visit to our Prep students during lunchtime. It was wonderful to see our senior leaders sharing stories and playing games with our youngest learners.
The visit was fantastic opportunity to continue building strong bonds across different year levels and foster a sense of community we all know and admire about our wonderful school.
Thank you Year 12's for demonstrating leadership and serving as inspiring rle models for all students!
Accounting Excursion
Our Year 11 & 12 Accounting students had the fantastic opportunity to attend the annual Accounting Student Forum at QUT. Students experienced a day in the life of an Accounting and Business university student and explored a range of intriguing lectures, including Decision Making Using Accounting, Ethical Accounting, Electronic Businesses and Job Costings, The Accounting Profession and Accounting as a Career.
The day of networking with respected QUT lecturers, successful accountants and other students throughout the state is an integral component of our Accounting curriculum. Well done to all students!
Year 12 Geography Camp
Geography students have been studying changes to the Earth's land cover as a result of human activity and recently had the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in the Numinbah Valley over two days. Students investigated changes to ecosystem health as a result of lantana invasion attributed to historic farming by collecting biotic and abiotic data using quadrants and transects at a control site. In addition to the fieldwork, students also participated in a glow worm tour of Natural Bridge and spent the morning on Hinze Dam canoeing.
Students are now in the process of observing the primary data to create field reports as part of their summative assessment. The reports will focus on the issues observed as well as reasonable solutions for the future.
