Students are being prepared for a digital future with the introduction of Microsoft Copilot at Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) secondary schools after a trial resulted in a 275 percent increase in learning for at-risk pupils.
The AI tool designed to enhance learning will be available to students aged 13 and over across BCE’s 41 secondary schools and P-12 Colleges following successful trials in two BCE schools in 2025.
BCE Education and Digital Excellence Executive Leigh Williams said Copilot was not just about technology, it was about empowering students to become confident, creative and independent learners.
“Our teachers have seen students move from passive participation to active ownership of their learning – using Copilot to brainstorm, revise, and manage their time more effectively,” she said.
“It’s about a student’s learning, and that’s at the heart of our work.
“It’s also a way to use technology to enhance teaching and learning in a way that they’ve never had the capability or capacity to do before.
“Given the chance, students will use AI ethically and meaningfully. The main goal is to guide students rather than limit them, demonstrating what positive and appropriate use looks like.”
Microsoft Elevate Asia Senior Sales Manager Ryan McIvor said AI will be part of every job young people step into in the future.
“The most important work we can do now is help students build the confidence, judgement, and responsible habits to use AI well,” he said.
“By giving students a safe, guided way to learn with Copilot, BCE is not just adopting new technology, they’re future‑proofing the next generation of change makers with the skills to think critically, create boldly, and lead with integrity.”
Trinity College Beenleigh Principal Allison Elcoate said during their trial of Copilot, students used the tool to brainstorm, iterate, and build confidence.
“Before Copilot, students were often passive participants in their education,” Ms Elcoate said.
“Now, they’re using AI to unpack achievement standards, generate project ideas, and assess their own progress.
“They’re becoming learners, not just receivers of knowledge. That’s the shift we’ve been trying to make for years, and Copilot has accelerated it.”
In 2025 BCE became the first kindergarten to Year 12 school system in the world to partner with Microsoft and the Vatican as ambassadors for the Rome Call for AI Ethics which is guided by principles of fairness, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
The introduction of Copilot for students follows BCE’s system-wide rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot for educators and staff, across its 146 schools.
It has already delivered significant reductions in administrative workload and enabled teachers to focus more on student engagement and wellbeing.
For students, Copilot offers:
- personalised, judgment-free feedback and guidance
- support for independent and inclusive learning
- opportunities to build digital literacy and responsible AI skills
- enhanced creativity, confidence, and future-readiness
- safe, responsible, and equitable access.
Ms Williams said BCE had rigorously assessed Copilot for safety and privacy.
“The tool is designed with strong protections, including strict rules to avoid harmful or sensitive topics and monitoring to ensure responsible use,” she said.
“Only students aged 13 or older are eligible, with students and teachers receiving training to support effective and ethical use in the classroom.
“AI is transforming education, and our partnership with Microsoft ensures that BCE students are equipped with the skills and values they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“We are committed to providing equitable access to innovative learning tools and to lead the way in ethical, future-focused education.”
Microsoft Elevate National AI Skills Director Tim Allen said the future economy was about equitable access.
“We can’t talk about the future economy without talking about equitable access to the skills that will shape it,” he said.
“By embedding responsible AI literacy into education at scale, Brisbane Catholic Education is helping ensure more young people, regardless of background, can participate, contribute, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“That’s how we build an inclusive economy: by expanding opportunity early and doing it safely and ethically.”
For more information, watch this BCE video.
