news
Introducing EdChat at 木瓜影院 to Secondary Student
Posted on February 11, 2026
Secondary students at Open Access will soon have the opportunity to use EdChat, our Department for Education's secure AI platform designed to enhance student learning.
This letter contains information to help you understand what EdChat is and what it isn鈥檛 so you can stay informed about how and when your child may be using it to support their learning.
What EdChat is
EdChat is the department鈥檚 secure generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot custom-built for teaching and learning. The department created EdChat in partnership with Microsoft and has continued to develop it alongside more than 2,500 educators and 10,000 students who have been trialling it since mid-2023.
EdChat has features that make it safer and more suitable for students, compared to openly available AI chatbots. It鈥檚 designed to:
- improve data security and privacy, as all prompts and responses are secured by the department and stored in Australia
- block inappropriate requests with a content filter
- prevent the generation of deepfakes or inappropriate images
- offer tailored content for public education in South Australia.
EdChat is designed to foster learner agency by supporting students to play a role in shaping their learning experiences
It helps students learn how to use AI safely and responsibly while supporting their engagement and understanding across subjects. EdChat helps to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to use AI effectively and thrive in a future where AI is integrated into society.
What EdChat isn鈥檛
While EdChat does know each student's name and year level, it will not learn from them or remember the information it is given.
EdChat is not designed to provide support with wellbeing matters. Please support your child to use it for their learning, and if they need wellbeing support, encourage them to reach out to a trusted adult.
Out of hours use
Once EdChat access is enabled, it will be available to students outside of school hours during the school year, including weekends, pupil-free days, school holidays, and public holidays, to support their learning. Please note, EdChat will not be accessible to students during the summer holidays.
To keep interactions suitable for teaching and learning, EdChat has filters that block inappropriate or harmful content. While students鈥� use of EdChat is not actively monitored by a human in real time, any inappropriate or concerning use of the tool either during or outside of school hours, may be reported to our school the following school day.
If your child enters something that triggers a filter, we may contact you if necessary. This is to make sure that everything is okay, and your child is using EdChat in the right way.
As always, you are encouraged to monitor your child鈥檚 internet usage at home, and to remind them to use EdChat in line with our ICT user agreement, which sets out expectations for safe and responsible behaviour.
More information
You can find more information about AI and EdChat on the department鈥檚 website, including what generative AI is and how you can help your child use AI for their learning:
You can choose to opt out
You have been provided with the opportunity to opt your child out of EdChat, which can be done at any point. Before making this decision, we encourage you to contact us to discuss any questions or concerns.
Opting out means your child鈥檚 teacher may provide an alternative learning activity when EdChat is being used in class or for homework. Please indicate if you are considering opting out by completing the form below by Friday 13th February. We will contact you to discuss your concerns before initiating the opt out.
Jeane Schocroft
Principal