Digital Learning & Artificial Intelligence Policy

How Senior School students at St Mary's College may use generative AI tools for learning and assessment, the four AI-use levels on the Learning Hub, the AI Use Statement, and how misuse is handled under VCAA rules.

Updated 20 August 2026· For Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini are part of the world our students will study and work in. St Mary's College wants Senior School students to use these tools thoughtfully, honestly and safely while protecting the integrity of assessment, especially in the VCE. This policy explains when AI may be used, how students declare it, and what happens when it is used without permission.

Purpose

To provide clear expectations for the use of generative AI in learning and assessment in Years 7–12, consistent with the Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools, VCAA authentication requirements, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) guidance, and the College's ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

Scope

This policy applies to all Senior School students (Years 7–12) and staff in all subjects, including VCE, VCE VET and VCE Vocational Major. Junior School students use AI only within teacher-led activities under the ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

Policy statement

Generative AI may be used only when the teacher permits it for that task. Permission is task-specific, not general.
Every assessment task on the Learning Hub carries an AI use level (0–3) set by the teacher.
Students acknowledge any AI use in an AI Use Statement at submission.
Only College-approved tools are used, accessed through College Microsoft 365 accounts. Students under 13 use only teacher-mediated tools.
No personal information about any other person is entered into an AI tool.
Unacknowledged or unpermitted AI use is academic misconduct.
Staff may use AI to support feedback but never to determine a grade.

Procedures

AI use levels

Level	Permitted use	Typical tasks
0 – No AI	None. Work is entirely the student's own	SACs, exams, in-class essays, tests
1 – Brainstorm and plan	Generate ideas, outline, research starting points; no AI-generated text in the submission	Draft plans, project proposals
2 – Feedback and editing	AI feedback on the student's own draft, grammar and clarity, with the original draft kept and acknowledged	Extended responses, reports
3 – Full use, documented	AI-generated content may be included where the prompt history and student reflection are submitted	Digital media, coding, inquiry projects

The level appears in the Learning Hub task description. If none is shown, treat the task as Level 0 and ask the teacher.

The AI Use Statement

On every submission, students complete a short declaration: whether AI was used, which tool, for what purpose, and (for Levels 2–3) the prompts used. Students keep drafts and version history so authorship can be verified.

VCE authentication

VCE School-assessed Coursework and Tasks follow VCAA authentication rules. Teachers observe work in progress and may hold an authentication interview. Where work cannot be authenticated because of suspected AI use, the student may redo the SAC under supervision or the task may be marked "N", in line with the VCE Handbook.

Responding to misuse

Teacher gathers evidence (AI-detection tools alone are not sufficient) and meets the student within 3 school days.
Year level coordinator and parents informed via the Portal.
Outcome: resubmission, supervised redo, or, for repeated or serious cases in VCE, an "N" result. Restorative conversation follows the Behaviour & Restorative Practices Policy.
Students and parents may appeal to the Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching within 5 school days.

Teaching digital citizenship

Years 7–9 Pastoral includes at least four lessons a year on AI literacy: how models work, bias and hallucination, privacy, and the ethics of representing AI work as your own.

Approved tools

Microsoft Copilot (via College account) is approved for Years 8–12; Year 7 students use AI only through teacher-mediated tools in lessons. Any other tool must be listed in the task description. Students must never enter names, photos or details of other people into AI tools (see the Privacy Policy).

Responsibilities

Parents and carers

Talk with your child about honest use of AI and check the AI use level when helping with homework.
Keep the BYOD laptop signed in with the College account (see the Laptop Program).

Students

Check the AI use level before starting a task and ask if unsure.
Complete the AI Use Statement truthfully and keep drafts.
Never use AI to create content about other people; see the Anti-Bullying Policy.

Staff

Set an AI use level on every Learning Hub task and design assessments that make authorship visible.
Use AI only as a feedback aid; grades are determined by the teacher.
Model responsible use and report misconduct through the coordinator.

Review

Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching. Approved by the College Leadership Team June 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review June 2027 (annual review while this area is developing rapidly).

Frequently asked questions

Can my child use ChatGPT for homework?

Only if the task on the Learning Hub shows AI use Level 1 or higher. When in doubt, students should ask the teacher before using any tool.

Does the College use AI detectors to catch students?

Detection software is unreliable and is never the sole basis for a finding. Teachers rely on drafts, version history, in-class observation and, where needed, an authentication interview.

My Year 7 child is 12. What can they use?

Students under 13 use AI only through tools the teacher operates in class. They receive their own Copilot access in Year 8.

Will teachers mark my child's work with AI?

No. Teachers may use AI to help draft feedback comments, but every grade is determined by the teacher and moderated within the faculty.