Ai: Addressing Concerns and Building Solutions Together

As we continue our journey with artificial intelligence in education, I want to share important considerations about the challenges we're navigating together.

Academic Honesty and Integrity One of our primary considerations is ensuring students understand the difference between using AI as a helpful tool versus replacing their own thinking. We're seeing students who submit AI-generated work as their own, which misses the point of learning entirely. Our approach includes developing guidelines about how AI can be used for different learning and assessment activities.

Building Independence, Not Dependence We want our students to develop strong foundational skills rather than becoming overly reliant on AI. There's a real risk that students might use AI as a crutch, avoiding the productive struggle that builds resilience and deep understanding. We're addressing this by teaching students to reflect on when they're being helped versus when they're avoiding necessary learning.

Protecting Student Privacy

We have developed an Ai Policy and established a committee that will evaluate applications for modern technology platforms using rigorous criteria addressing privacy, data security and student protection.

Age-Appropriate Use Not all AI applications suit every age group. We will be developing tiered guidelines where younger students use AI only with direct teacher supervision while older students are taught how to make responsible decisions for more independent use of Ai.

Moving Forward Together

Most importantly, we want to preserve what makes learning fundamentally human: creativity, empathy, collaboration, and original thinking. AI is a tool to enhance these qualities, not replace them. We're not implementing AI because it's new or trendy, but because it can genuinely enhance learning when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

Together, we're preparing your children not just to use AI, but to think critically about it, use it ethically, and maintain the human skills that will always be essential.

Warm regards,

Ian Hayne

Director of Professional Practice and Technology