Students shine at ICT Symposium

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) hosted its 2025 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Symposium on Friday 5 September, with a focus on safe, secure, private and ethically responsible technology for education.

Catholic school staff joined in Brisbane and online to learn from tech experts including QUT Digital Media Research Centre’s Professor Michael Dezuanni; Ian Gregory from the National Education Commission Cyber Security Working Group; Lee Barrett representing the Catholic Education Network; Nick Nicholas from Education Services Australia; and Samantha Muller on behalf of Brisbane Catholic Education.

Pictured: Ian Gregory, Samantha Muller, Nick Nicholas, Lee Barrett, Michael Dezuanni and Liam Garvey.

“Participants very much appreciated the focus on AI, student engagement and practical technology applications,” said QCEC Senior Education Officer – ICT and event organiser Liam Garvey.

“Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights into current research around the ‘Digital Child’ as well as technology application assessments, Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents for education, award-winning Catholic student technology projects and how to use AI aligned to ethically responsible principles.”

Feedback received from attendees especially highlighted the ‘Student Voice’ contributions from Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs students Kobe, Martina and Julia, who presented their creative and cutting-edge classroom technology projects to attendees.

Kobe and Martina also joined the Symposium’s panel discussion, where they shared their experiences and thoughts on the upcoming social media ban for under 16s.

Pictured: Siena Catholic College teacher Paul Dionysuis with Year 8 students Julia and Martina, Year 11 student Kobe and Liam Garvey.

“The ICT Symposium was very timely for a discussion around the upcoming Social Media Age Restrictions that will require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account with the obligation to take effect on 10 December 2025,” Mr Garvey said.

“Participants discussed the implications of the legislation being implemented and noted the eSafety resources being released to support schools and their communities.”

The QCEC ICT Symposium is held annually to provide Queensland Catholic schools and their staff with updates and information on current and emerging technology issues.

“QCEC hosts the event to showcase national and state strategic education reform initiatives enabled by technology to support Catholic School Authorities,’ Mr Garvey said.

To view the photo gallery, click here.