The SHS are thrilled to have been asked to showcase their digital teaching & learning journey (which started more than a decade ago) at the BETT Conference, taking place in ExCeL in London form January 21st to 23rd.
The BETT Conference is an annual exhibition where designers and providers from all over the world showcase their innovations and wares to support teaching and learning in the classroom.
This year the SHS have been asked, as a Microsoft Showcase School, to platform their practices, collaboration and progress with digital teaching and learning.
The event is attended by over 35,000 attendees each year, so it gives the school and immense opportunity to be showcased on an international platform.
Speaking to Deputy Principal, Mr Mc Fadden, he noted that the SHS began a digital drive long before it was popular to do so and that has paid dividends now, given the importance of AI and the introduction of Senior Cycle Reform.
"One of our key objectives is to ensure that our students are well prepared for the AI world that they will be working in. We have already introduced an AI platform to staff and students and training is underway. The fact that students are digital natives by the time they reach 5th year in our school means that many of the worries associated with Additional Assessment Component (AAC) – which is a worry for many students and parents now- is not an issue for us at all. All students have their own device, so it means that the creation, storing and developing of digital work is made so much easier.”
Ms Gloria Enrique, Digital Co-ordinator in the SHS, will also be presenting at the Showcase Schools Day in March in Dublin and again notes that increasingly, the SHS is leading the way in helping other school introduce digital technology into their schools.
When asked about his next big project for the school Mr Mc Fadden was delighted to remind us that the SHS Choir will provide music for various liturgies at the Papal Basilicas in Rome in February - who knows what miracles may arise after this!