Using Technology and AI Safely and Smartly in the Primary School

At Bishop Druitt College Primary School, we are preparing students to thrive in a world shaped by technology and innovation. Whether they are learning to code with Bee-Bots in Kindergarten or using collaborative digital platforms in Year 6, our students are growing into capable, curious, and ethical users of technology.

Our approach is guided by clear expectations across the school. Through our Technology Guidelines (K–2) and Technology Contract (Years 3–6), we teach students to be:

Responsible: using only approved apps and websites, caring for devices, and staying on task;

Respectful: following teacher instructions, not recording others without permission, and avoiding disruption;

Safe: using the internet appropriately, not changing device settings, and understanding that digital access is a privilege.

These principles support a learning culture where technology enhances engagement, creativity, and collaboration.

We also integrate cyber safety education into our PDH (Personal Development and Health) curriculum. From a young age, students explore how to stay safe online, recognise trustworthy content, manage screen time, and protect their personal information. These lessons are practical, age-appropriate, and aligned with our school values of respect and responsibility. Our aim is to build confident digital citizens who are equipped to make safe and ethical choices in online spaces.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly present in our world, we are beginning to explore its use in the classroom, always with care and critical thinking. Students may engage with AI tools that support writing, offer creative prompts, or personalise learning experiences. Importantly, we are also helping them understand how AI works and how to use it responsibly, asking questions like: Who created this? Can I trust it? How should I use this tool for learning?

At BDC, we see technology not just as a tool, but as an opportunity for exploration, innovation, and connection. Together with families, we’re empowering our students to use technology and AI in safe, thoughtful, and creative ways that enrich their learning and prepare them for the future.

Sarah Stokes
Head of Primary

Murray House Hope 25 Project – Book Donations for Ukraine

As part of the Anglican Hope 25 initiative, Murray House at Bishop Druitt College is proud to support underground schools in Ukraine by collecting much-needed books for students affected by war. We are calling on the BDC community to donate books of all genres suitable for readers in Year 6 and above. Additionally, we are seeking picture books designed for early English learners in Years 2–3.

We also encourage our community to write a short message of Hope to those in Ukraine on the inside front cover of the books.

Donations can be placed in the collection boxes located in both the Primary and Secondary library foyers.

In the BDC way, our friendly rivals in Sutherland House have generously pledged the proceeds of their own Hope 25 fundraiser, “Busk for Hope”, to help cover postage costs. If any members of the College community can further assist with shipping support, we would be grateful for your help.

Together, let’s bring hope through the power of reading.

Drew Kadwell
Head of Murray House

iHub Matters

Term 2 is certainly proving to be a busy, and very productive time for some wonderful school initiatives, and community events. The iHub is a great space for showcasing and sharing our school initiatives, and was a significant point-of-call for our Open Day on May 27. These are a few of the mid-term activities in the iHub:

Hope 2025 is an Anglican charitable initiative fostered by Murray and Sutherland Houses at Bishop Druitt College. In the past weeks the iHub and Junior Library have been a collection-point for books for students affected by war in the Ukraine. Our amazing BDC community has been donating books of all genres suitable for readers in Year 6 and above, and picture books designed for early English learners in Years 2–3 - many of these books come with messages of hope inscribed within them. 

Displays for National Sorry Day (Mon 26 May) and Reconciliation Week featured in the iHub during Week 5. These significant and rich cultural events are brought to life using our system of TV displays, and extensive collection of book resources. We’re fortunate to have this space to support the teaching and learning initiatives of the school and broader community.

Our eSports teams have been training, and it has paid off!

Congratulations to Alex Battaglia (Year 8), Matt Dawson (Year 8), Kiva Solomon (Year 7), and Kalani Wood (Year 8) who are DIV 2 Winners in AEL Rocket League! Much thanks to Mr Andrew Walker of the secondary library for his dedication and support of the eSports teams!

Another thought-provoking display in the iHub at the moment involves the work of our own students. In term 2 our Year 8 REP students look at why Mount Everest is sacred to the Sherpa Peoples of the Himalayas. This unit is an exploration of Buddhist rituals and beliefs and Sherpa beliefs and rituals with a focus on Animism. The unit is also an ethical and moral study about human behaviour, particularly in terms of values – economic and personal gain versus cultural diversity, belief and human rights. Students explore questions raised in connection to the land/environmental ethics – respect for the mountain environment, respect for the Sherpa culture. Studies like these help create global, and critical thinkers.

All of these activities within the iHub attest to the importance of library and research spaces as being significant environments for exposing students, not only to reliable resources, but to ideas and values that can help maintain our commitment to global citizenship and humanitarian values. 

What an amazing community of staff and students we have here at BDC!

BDC Year 10 Student Sapphire Moses is making a difference

Sapphire Moses, a dedicated student at BDC, is making a difference this March by raising money for the Cancer Council’s Do It for Cancer initiative.

The Do It for Cancer campaign encourages individuals to take on fundraising challenges in their own unique way. With a strong passion for supporting those affected by cancer, Sapphire is cutting off her trademark long hair at the end of the month. Sapphire’s efforts reflect the spirit of the campaign—turning passion into action for a cause that touches so many lives.

Cancer affects millions of Australians each year, making fundraising efforts like Sapphire’s all the more important. Every contribution goes toward funding groundbreaking research, early detection programs, and crucial support for individuals and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

Sapphire is calling on friends, family, and the wider community to support this meaningful cause by making a donation. Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to a future free from cancer.

To show your support and contribute to Sapphire’s fundraising efforts, visit Sapphire’s donation page and help make a difference today.

Together, we can take a stand against cancer and support those in need. Let’s rally behind Sapphire and the Cancer Council this March!

Week 9 Celebrations