Smarter Tools, Simpler Steps: A Technology Update
It has been a year since I last wrote in Tolle Lege, and much has progressed in that time. Many of the initiatives I shared in 2025 — including the new Parent Portal, our exploration of Artificial Intelligence, and ongoing improvements to our digital systems — have moved from planning into practical use.
In keeping with the College’s theme of Interiority, it is worth pausing to reflect on the purpose behind this work. Technology in a school should never be pursued for its own sake. Its value lies in how well it supports people: helping students learn, reducing unnecessary workload for staff, and making everyday interactions with the College simpler for families.
The Parent Portal — simpler permissions on the way
Since launching the Parent Portal, we have received valuable feedback from families, and we are grateful for it. One area where I will readily acknowledge the experience could be better is granting permission for activities.
At present, the process can involve too many steps and can feel clunky to navigate. We know that when parents are trying to quickly review an activity, provide permission, and move on with the rest of their day, the experience needs to be clearer and more efficient.
Work is now progressing on a simpler permissions experience within the Parent Portal. Our aim is to make it easier for families to see what requires attention, understand the details of an activity, and provide consent with fewer steps. This will be an important improvement, and we look forward to sharing more with families as it becomes available.
Exploring AI — curious, careful and classroom-led
We are also continuing to explore the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in education. AI is developing rapidly, and schools have an important role to play in considering how it can be used thoughtfully, ethically and with a clear educational purpose.
At the College, one area of exploration has been the development of literacy-focused AI tools. These include a Literacy Assistant, a Sentence Marking Agent and a Vocabulary Assistant. Each has a slightly different purpose, but the common goal is to support better feedback, stronger writing, and more targeted learning.
The intention is not to replace teacher judgement. Rather, we are exploring how AI might assist teachers by helping identify patterns in student writing, supporting more consistent feedback, and giving students opportunities to reflect on their expression, sentence structure and vocabulary.
This work remains careful and measured. Tools are being shaped by staff feedback, trialled in appropriate contexts, and considered through the lens of genuine educational value. Alongside this, we continue to recognise the importance of forming students in the ethical use of AI — helping them understand when it can support learning, when it may hinder learning, and why honest effort remains essential.
A word on cyber safety
As digital tools become more present in school life, so too does our responsibility to use them well. The College continues to focus on cyber safety, account security, privacy, and the healthy use of technology both at school and at home.
This is a shared responsibility. Students need guidance as they learn to navigate digital spaces, families need clear and practical information, and schools need to continue building safe and secure digital environments.
Looking ahead
The best technology is often the technology that makes things feel simpler. A well-designed process can save a parent time. A reliable system can reduce frustration for staff. A thoughtful digital tool can help a student better understand their learning.
This is the direction of our work: smarter tools, simpler steps, and a constant focus on the people they serve — your sons, our staff, and our families.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback as we keep improving the digital experience across the College.
John Danson
Chief Information Officer
