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Meet Our Head of Digital Innovation and AI, Caitlin Caputi March 4, 2026 Technology is changing the way we learn, work and connect with the world. For schools, the challenge is not simply keeping up with these changes, but guiding students to use new tools with confidence, creativity and sound judgement. Santa Maria Colleges new Head of Digital Innovation & AI, Caitlin Caputi, is passionate about helping students and educators navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. With more than a decade of experience in education and recent work as a digital learning consultant supporting schools across a range of settings, Caitlin brings both expertise and a thoughtful approach to the role. In this Q&A, Caitlin shares what inspired her to become an educator, how her interest in digital innovation and artificial intelligence developed, and her vision for supporting the Santa Maria community as we embrace new technologies in purposeful and responsible ways. What first inspired you to become an educator, and what path led you to Santa Maria College? From the start of my career I was driven by a desire to create learning experiences that were genuinely meaningful for students, and that passion has only grown over more than ten years in education. Most recently, working as a digital learning consultant across a wide range of schools showed me how transformative the right vision and support can be for a school community. When the opportunity at Santa Maria came up, I was drawn by what Id heard about the Colleges strong sense of community and its commitment to providing girls with a wholesome, well-rounded education. It felt like the right place to do my best work. My interest in digital innovation has always run alongside my teaching, wanting to provide meaningful and creative lessons, which can be enhanced by technology. AI specifically captured my attention because of how rapidly its evolving and how much is at stake for young people. This isnt something educators can watch from the sidelines. We have a real responsibility to understand it well enough to guide students through it, and that sense of urgency is what has made it such a passion area for me. What does your role as Head of Digital Innovation and AI involve? The role sits at the intersection of education, technology and community. It involves working with staff and students on the safe and ethical use of AI, building digital literacy and cyber safety skills across the school, reviewing how devices and tools are actually supporting teaching and learning, and providing parents with the guidance they need to engage with these issues at home. Essentially, I want the whole Santa Maria community to feel equipped and confident navigating a rapidly changing digital world. How can AI enhance learning rather than distract from it? The key is using AI in the service of learning rather than as a shortcut around it. One thing I find exciting is that AI now allows teachers and students to bring ideas to life without needing technical expertise. Canvas AI-powered code tool is a good example, it lets anyone use natural language to create interactive, personalised learning materials in minutes. A teacher can build a custom quiz or creative activity tailored to their class quickly and without technical barriers. That shifts the focus back to creativity and good teaching rather than getting stuck on the tools themselves. What excites you most about the opportunities AI presents for our students? What excites me most is how AI removes barriers that previously stopped students from bringing their ideas to life. A student with a vision for a project can now realise it regardless of their technical background, which is genuinely empowering. Beyond that, Im excited about helping students build real fluency with these tools so they step into further study and work with the confidence and judgment to use them well. How do we ensure we use AI responsibly and ethically in a school setting? It starts with education for students, staff and parents. That means honest conversations about how AI works, what its limitations are, and the ethical questions it raises around privacy, bias and academic integrity. It also means building clear expectations, so students understand the difference between using AI to enhance their thinking and using it to replace it. And it means keeping parents informed, because the conversations we have at school need to continue at home. Looking ahead, what is your vision for digital innovation at Santa Maria College over the next few years? Id love to see Santa Maria become a place where every student leaves as a digitally literate, grounded young women who are genuinely ready for the world ahead. That means embedding technology thoughtfully across learning, building staff confidence, and keeping parents as active partners. But more than anything, I want us to be known for approaching innovation with purpose and a clear focus on whats best for our students. As digital technologies and AI continue to shape the future, Caitlins work will play an important role in helping our community approach these changes with confidence. Her focus on ethical use, strong digital literacy and meaningful learning ensures that innovation remains centred on what matters most, supporting students to think critically, create boldly and step into the world ahead as capable and responsible young women. AI in Schools , Artificial Intelligence in Education , Digital Innovation in Education , Digital Learning , Digital Literacy for Students , Featured , Santa Maria College Perth Author: Santa Maria College Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders. #J-18808-Ljbffr