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Articles by Amy Sarcevic
Educators might soon have an AI blueprint, thanks to this Australian school
When it comes to using AI in schools there is currently no blueprint to guide educators, but thanks to leaders at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in Western Australia, one might soon be within reach. Having already designed its own AI agents, framework, and usage guidelines, the school is now leading major scientific research to evaluate their effectiveness.
Inside the unique, yet evidence-based, AI curriculum at Hills Christian Community School
Artificial Intelligence (AI) lessons at Hills Christian Community School (HILLS) in South Australia are not what you might expect. Students often find themselves learning outside, somewhere within the school’s 19 acres of green space, exploring the underground networks that connect trees. These natural systems help them understand complex concepts in AI and digital technologies, which work in a similar fashion, explains Colleen O’Rourke, HILLS’s Leader of Digital Innovation.
The City Rail Link revisions impacting Auckland’s passenger network
Rail patronage in Auckland has exploded by 62 percent since the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL), and with recent changes to the network, further increases are anticipated. Stacey van der Putten, CEO of Auckland Transport, says the project – which brings thoroughfare to the formerly dead-end Waitematā Station - has turned a corner in its delivery with the set-up now looking “completely different” to how it did one month ago.
From banning to embracing AI – how Radford College has navigated the shift
Radford College in Canberra is among a growing number of Australian schools to overturn a blanket ban on AI, with senior students now accessing the technology in their everyday studies. Formerly prohibiting AI search engine, Co-Pilot, Radford now mandates its use, with students in years 11 and 12 using the tool in learning and assessment.
How to recognise grooming - insights from survivor advocate Louise Edmonds
CONTENT WARNING - This article discusses childhood sexual abuse. Parents of children in early childhood education are being trained on how to recognise the warning signs of grooming, as experts claim current safeguarding policies are leaving “blind spots” that keep children at risk of abuse.
How well does AI feedback support academic performance?
Teachers are increasingly turning to AI to give real-time feedback to their students, as up to 75 percent claim they don’t have sufficient time to support those who are struggling. The tools have proven popular with learners who get access to tailored advice, based on their learning history. But how well do they support academic performance, long term?
We don’t need a teaching revolution to navigate the AI revolution – insights from Penrhos College
Penrhos College Director of Future Learning, Will Horwood, and Digital Literacy Specialist, Courtney Weaver, have been bracing for AI-driven disruption in the classroom - but as they explain ahead of the AI in Education WA Conference, the technology’s impact on teaching might not be as radical as some think. When Will and Courtney sat down to discuss potential AI policies at their school, they came to a different realisation.
Food insecurity is a rising threat – could these innovations help?
As worldwide food demand grows and conventional agriculture faces challenges, Australian farmers are increasingly turning towards novel ways to grow and protect their produce. Biological fertilisers and crop protectors have long been making an impact. But with dozens of innovations in the pipeline – and a fragmented R&D landscape – many agricultural decision makers are left unclear on where to best channel their budget.
How Mount Alvernia College is helping students harness their human edge in the age of AI
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape work in unpredictable ways, the goalposts for young people in secondary education are changing. But for students at Mount Alvernia College in Queensland, one simple, unwavering philosophy is keeping them on track. “We’re helping our students learn and express the qualities that make them irreplaceably human in an increasingly automated world,” said Jane Martens, Director of Information Technology and Innovation.
Could Australia learn from the US’s rail innovation landscape?
When Australian CEO Joanne Wust moved to the US to pilot a rail technology, she uncovered something more profound than the pilot itself ever could – a major gap in the innovation landscape between the US and Australia. With access to a repurposed military site in the Colorado Springs desert, rail innovators in the US can conduct pilots on a dedicated test track facility – infrastructure that does not yet exist on Australian soil.
What CSIRO is doing to bolster crop protection in Australia
Protecting Australia’s crops from pests, weeds and diseases is an ongoing battle, with many becoming resistant to traditional controls over time. But thanks to the work of Dr Louise Thatcher and the team at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, we may soon have better options, and new ways of prolonging the efficacy of those already in use.
The unexpected ways AI has helped Tim Gauci's interior design company
When Tim Gauci, founder of Design & Diplomacy, began his curiosity-driven experiment with ChatGPT, he was not expecting the notoriously job-disrupting tool to grow his workforce. But three years since his AI foray began, Tim has more staff – all thanks, he says, to the technology’s performance in the backend of his business, where he uses it for “virtually everything” besides interior design.
Why data centre sustainability matters more than ever – and what to do about it
Amy Marks was chatting with strangers at a function when the topic of data centres came up. Not knowing Amy’s profession, the small talk soon turned sour when the group began slating the new hyperscale facilities being developed on the outskirts of their city.
What is RANZCOG doing to reduce birth trauma in Australia?
RANZCOG Board Director, Professor Boon Lim, says reducing birth trauma in Australia will need a system where everyone understands it; where midwives, obstetricians, GPs and Allied Health are equipped to manage it; and where birthing parents are adequately prepared and supported through it.
What will the NDIS reforms mean for service providers? Heidi Clarris of Aruma gives her take
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing a series of major reforms, with further changes proposed and subject to consultation before being passed through Parliament later this year. The reforms aim to create a fairer, more consistent and sustainable system, that continues to support people with permanent and significant disability. At the same time, the reforms will respond to growth in demand and improve transparency around how plans and budgets are developed.
The Singaporean initiative protecting healthcare workers from abuse
A new initiative coming from Singapore is helping to prevent the abuse and harassment of healthcare workers, 62% of whom have witnessed or experienced verbal or physical abuse at work. The initiative, delivered by Singapore’s Ministry of Health, was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, when abuse in healthcare settings became a prominent issue worldwide.
Improving track access for Victoria’s freight network
Victoria’s freight trains share a network with more than 7000 weekly passenger services – a scale that brings competing demands for track access. With passenger services granted legislative priority under the Rail Management Act 1996, freight locomotives are at risk of delays, detours and curfews, costing both the operator and broader state economy.
The good, bad and ugly of disability legislation – recommendations from Philip Hodges
As a child, Philip Hodges experienced up to thirty seizures per day, but as he explains ahead of the National Disability Summit, the injustices he experienced because his epilepsy were equally disabling. At the time, Philip’s condition was poorly understood, and his school declared themselves unable to accommodate him.
How Phoenix Health Fund is tackling preventative health
Preventative healthcare is on the radar of most Australian health insurers amid a growing chronic disease burden - but according to Tracy Shepherd of Phoenix Health Fund, the sector could still be missing opportunities to promote member wellbeing. Tracy, who is due to speak at the Health Insurance Summit later this month, says this is, in part, a semantics issue, with prevention often meaning “different things to different people”.
Inside Tripadvisor’s AI strategy
With over 1 billion reviews and millions of monthly users, Tripadvisor hosts one of the world’s largest travel and hospitality datasets – a scale at which consumer personalisation becomes “big business” and the cost of underutilising data becomes high. Senior Director Sanchit Janeja knows this all too well - and while AI is helping with the task, the technology is not a panacea. He says each AI personalisation use-case must be carefully considered, with no single tool guaranteeing ROI.
A major AI capability uplift is coming - are businesses ready?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will soon be able to act on its own – observing a situation, deciding how to respond, and learning from the outcome, without waiting to be prompted. But businesses could miss out on the benefits, because of their internal processes, warns Milind, Principal Scientist at Mercedez-Benz Singapore. Speaking ahead of The AI Summit, Milind says the rise of this ‘sovereign machine’ could generate millions of dollars in productivity gains.
Improving mobile connectivity on the SEQ Rail Network
Rail commuters in South East Queensland (SEQ) could soon receive better phone coverage on the way to work, thanks to an initiative being delivered under the SEQ City Deal— a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments and the Council of Mayors SEQ. Geographically speaking, the SEQ network should have strong telecommunications coverage throughout.
Surviving the journey from early-stage biotech to approved pharmaceutical
The journey from growing an early-stage biotech candidate into an approved commercial pharmaceutical is one which only a fraction of companies survive. From securing an investor, to budgeting pre-revenue capital, and managing a portfolio, each phase has hurdles - and by the end of the commercialisation track, fewer than 5 percent of startups remain standing. But as Robert Shepherd of Dimerix points out, the right formula can see fewer trip-ups and better odds of survival.
Inside Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw�s award-winning youth work
When award-winning youth worker, Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw, was twelve years old, his family home stopped being a safe place. The former Young Citizen of the Year had previously lived a happy life there with his mother. But after his stepfather moved in, things quickly turned sour.
What skills and capabilities do clinicians need before delivering tele- and virtual-health?
Tele- and virtual-health is often celebrated for its ease and simplicity, but as Gail Forrest, Associate Director, Clinical Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Strategy at the Health Primary, Secondary and Tertiary and Training Institute (HETI) reveals, the practice may be more nuanced than it appears at first glance.
Improving the accessibility of drugs for pregnant women
Reproductive age women make up a substantial portion of the general population, yet are seldom represented in clinical trials for pharmaceuticals - including ones that cater to common pregnancy-related ailments. Dr Nisha Khot - Vice President and Board Member of the RANZCOG and a Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Peninsula Health - believes this should change.
Improving transitions of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have centuries of wisdom in the health and wellbeing space, but have long experienced challenges when interacting with the Australian Policy & Government system. Based on Western values, and comprised mainly of English speaking professionals, our nation�s health service is largely geared towards metro-dwelling, non-Indigenous populations.
What makes a biotechnology investible - and how precincts can help
As Founding Partner of OneVentures, Dr Paul Kelly has spent many years assessing breakthrough biomedical technologies for investment. Yet, as he explains ahead of the National Health & Innovation Precincts Summit , only a small fraction of innovations are truly investible from a venture capital perspective. According to Dr Kelly, a simple formula separates the investible from the merely inventive � and founders who understand it greatly improve their chances of success.
How should we evolve funding for short stay hospital programs?
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Surgery Connect program to hit major milestone
By the end of this financial year, The Queensland Government will have expedited the care of more than 30, 000 public patients, to stabilise the statewide elective surgery waiting list, thanks to a $1.75 billion investment, which includes the Surgery Connect program. Established in 2008, Surgery Connect leverages relationships with 58 private providers, who deliver surgery for public patients, particularly those at risk of waiting longer than clinically recommended.
When is it okay to use psychotropics in residential aged care homes?
Psychotropic medications have long been used in residential aged care homes (RACH), but updated rules around �why, how, and to whom� they are administered have left some providers unclear on their appropriate usage. RACH Chief Medical Officer Dr Simon Grof say that, while the sentiment behind the new �rights-based� approach to psychotropic administration is clear, its enactment in real-life settings remains complex.
Thriving with dementia � how this man reinvented himself after an Alzheimer�s diagnosis
When renowned Dementia advocate William Yeates received his Alzheimer�s diagnosis at just 59 years of age, he entered a dark period of his life. The former pharmacist, physics teacher, and deputy school head once took pride in his photographic memory and was able to recall the names of thousands of his students. When he began to forget these - and even basic physics laws - he struggled to maintain a sense of purpose.
The game-changing skin cancer treatment for localised non-melanoma skin cancer
A new treatment for localised non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which offers an alternative to surgery or conventional radiotherapy for lesions in functionally and cosmetically sensitive areas, is helping to tackle the 100,000 hospitalisations which occur annually as a result of the condition. Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy) developed by Oncobeta , is an ARTG-registered medical device that is indicated for superficial cutaneous squamous and basal cell carcinomas .
What does Amplar Health�s new Group Lead have in store for the organisation?
In November 2023, Robert Read joined Amplar Health during a busy period of growth for the organisation. In the year leading up to his appointment, the organisation delivered more than 1.6 million virtual health interactions. Meanwhile, the My Home Hospital initiative � delivered by the Calvary Amplar Health Joint Venture on behalf of SA Health - expanded to accommodate 160 health conditions.
Overcoming barriers to short stay joint replacement programs
Short stay joint replacement programs are increasingly being talked about in Policy & Government, as forecasts for the surgery blow out to unsustainable levels. Statistics show that the lifetime risk of knee replacement in Australia is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 7 for men. If this trend continues, the number of procedures is predicted to rise by 276 percent by 2030. The projected cost of this is upwards of $5billion, more than $3billion of which will be funded by the private sector.
Hospital in the home for mental health � insights from a former acute psychiatric consumer
Dr Jacqueline Kirkman�s first two encounters with psychosis saw her being admitted as an involuntary patient at an acute psychiatric ward. Years later, during her third encounter, she felt a different treatment option was needed and became one of the first Australians to receive mental health care under �hospital in the home�.
Improving clinical and legal outcomes for impacted foetal head at caesarean section
Impacted foetal head (IFH) at caesarean section is the third most litigated infant brain injury in the United Kingdom, and an emerging medico legal issue in Australia, where a number of high-profile cases have been reported to coroners over the last decade. Overall, IFH complicates around 10 percent of intrapartum caesarean sections (CS), but the condition is more heterogeneous than previously thought, affecting 16-31 percent of second stage caesareans.
The appropriate way for doctors to handle surrogacy births � insights from a surrogate mother and lawyer
The world of surrogacy is often a foreign one to health professionals, with many clinicians feeling as though they are in treading in a legal quagmire when handling the care of surrogate mothers. Complexities around health disclosures, antenatal medical treatments and newborn care are among the pitfalls clinicians can encounter when dealing with a surrogacy.
Getting the most out of health innovation
The term �innovation� is widely used and broadly defined. But regardless of whether it is a new product, technique, or application, no definition is complete without an emphasis on real world adoption. That's according to Dr Joy Francisco, Chief Commercial Officer at Sydney Local Health District, who is participating on a panel at the National Health & Innovation Precincts Summit this week.
How to manage incontinence in dementia
Incontinence is one of the most common health complaints among people living with dementia, affecting around one third of sufferers. It is also one of the most stigmatised of all health ailments, generally, meaning conversations around the subject are often avoided.
Why more medico legal defendants are winning on causation
Proving that a hospital or medical practitioner has breached their duty of care is often front of mind for plaintiffs when bringing forward a medico legal dispute. In recent months, however, a number of high profile defendants throughout Australia have claimed victory in the face of clear, or even admitted, duty breaches. From bone defects to terminal cancer, the medical context of these cases varies significantly.
Beyond the amyloid hypothesis � how small molecules are giving hope to Alzheimer�s research
Ever since it was discovered in 1906, scientists have been rushing to find a cure for Alzheimer�s disease � a form of dementia that affects 1 in 10 Australians aged over 65. In recent years, the bulk of this research has been centred on the �amyloid hypothesis�, which highlights the role amyloid plaques and tau tangles play in the onset and progression of the disease.
Why this mega-project in Western Australia is humbling data centre engineers
The world’s largest radio telescope, SKA-Low, will soon be delighting astronomers with its ability to detect 13-billion-year-old data from stars, galaxies and black holes; and answer crucial questions about the universe. But with 131,072 antennas sprawling across 74km of remote land, the project is equally being recognised by engineers as one of Australia’s most ambitious fixed-network deployments.
How a clinical quality registry is redefining short stay surgery
A clinical quality registry, developed by anaesthetist Dr Ken Sleeman, has now surveyed more than half a million surgical patients – and its responses are helping to refine short-stay care throughout Australia. Boasting an 86 percent response rate, the DayCOR survey is introduced to patients in pre-operative consultations and sent to their phones for completion post-discharge. With just fifteen questions, it can be completed in three to five minutes.
Short stay mental health units – a patient or insurer-driven model?
Ever since short-stay mental health units were introduced in the early 2000s, there has been speculation about whether reduced bed days are in patients’ best interests, or a proxy for insurer cost control. And while both arguments have merit, Mark Sweeney of Avive Health claims the debate is less binary than many assume. Mark says that while short-stay units can deliver effective psychiatric care, it is likely – and somewhat valid – that insurer incentives prevail in this context.
Why REZ procurement models need to evolve
As demand for renewable energy zones (REZs) grows in the wake of net zero targets, the scale and complexity of REZ projects is prompting a rethink of how they are procured and delivered. Zac Kerr of Gilbert + Tobin, says the nature of REZ projects required for the clean energy transition is renewing interest in more flexible procurement arrangements.
Interoperability in rail might not be what you think it is – insights from Adrian Teaha
Visit Conference Website. When we think of interoperability in rail, the same image usually springs to mind: a modernised system in which each section of the track has the same technology, gauge width and signalling rules. But for Adrian Teaha, Chief Interoperability and Development Officer at the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), this kind of system need not exist and could even be harmful to pursue. “We don’t need every aspect of the rail network to be standardised.
Australia’s biotech boom is real, but has the capital stack caught up?
Australia’s biotechnology industry is picking up after an $829 million injection of venture capital last year – but is the stack large enough to capitalise on the global biotech boom? Sarah Meibusch who leads the Life Science practice at OneVentures believes Australia’s chances are strong – but cautions that the market is still “highly selective”. “Those who have been watching the XBI or NASDAQ will know there has been good momentum in biotech.
What is the best way to structure an urgent care model?
The staffing models of Medicare-funded urgent care clinics (UCCs) in Australia are currently being scrutinised, after researchers have warned the ‘one doctor, one nurse’ structure is being stressed by growing patient volumes. Professor John Adie of ForHealth Group says his research – in press with the AJGP – shows that some UCCs see everyone who comes through the door, but for many this method is unsustainable. “When working in UCCs, things can get busy quickly.
What can we learn from urgent care in the US?
Urgent care clinics (UCC) were born from a need to absorb patient overspill from the US’s overburdened emergency departments (ED) – but decades on, they have overtaken them in popularity, seeing almost twice as many annual visits. With walk-in access to medical teams, the clinics are an attractive proposition for low-acuity patients, who can be seen faster than in general practice and more cost-effectively than in an ED. But how well do UCC models meet healthcare needs at the population level?
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