Digerati: Campbelltown Performing Arts High School has been recognised for giving students like (from left) Bianca Fenech, Chrystal Duggan, Tiffani Purches, Alycia Halavatlis and Brittany Murphy a head start in today's technology-rich society. Picture: Jeff De Pasquale
IT'S known for the steady stream of singers, dancers and actors who have graduated from its halls, but now the spotlight is on Campbelltown Performing Arts High School for another reason.
International software company Microsoft has pinpointed it as a global leader when it comes to using technology in its classrooms.
The school has been named as one of 60 Pathfinder Schools worldwide for its technological prowess and will represent Australia in the 2013 Worldwide Partners in Learning schools program, an initiative to help teachers use technology more effectively.
Principal Stacey Quince said teachers and students now used laptops, interactive whiteboards, tablets and the school's technology labs in everyday learning.
"They're using a variety of technology tools at home so it makes absolute sense to use those tools in the classroom," Ms Quince said.
"There's a really strong focus throughout the school on 21st century learning and staff are really embracing that pedagogy and using it in every single subject.
"Students are using a lot of video technology, particularly in performance subjects like dance, music and circus, and sports.
"They're filming their performances and the teachers are giving them feedback, there are graphics for teachers to assess their work and give them comments in the video files.
"Then they can embed that in their eportfolio and track their progress."