Digital Leaders in Coláiste Pobail Setanta:
The Role of the Digital Leaders in Our School
In today’s increasingly connected world, technology is at the heart of how students learn, communicate, and create. In Coláiste Pobail Setanta, the Digital Leaders are a dedicated student leadership group who help make this digital environment safe, efficient, and inspiring for everyone. They are ambassadors for positive technology use and play a vital role in supporting students, teachers, and the wider school community.
1. Supporting ICT Across the School
Our Digital Leaders are often the first point of contact when small ICT issues arise. Their responsibilities can include:
- Helping classmates with small device problems such as log-ins, passwords, or connecting to Wi-Fi.
- Maintaining digital spaces, like updating PCs in classrooms or helping organise digital technology for exams.
- Promoting good digital habits, such as saving work to OneDrive, organising files, and following our school’s AUP guidelines.
Their presence helps lessons run smoothly and encourages a culture of confidence and independence around technology.
2. Microsoft DreamSpace Ambassador Programme
The Microsoft DreamSpace Ambassador Programme is a dynamic student leadership initiative designed to develop the digital skills, creativity, and confidence of young people. It empowers students to become STEM leaders within their schools, helping them explore technology, support their peers, and inspire their wider school community.
This year ten of our Digital Leaders were trained up through a series of interactive, virtual, and hands‑on workshops delivered by the DreamSpace teams.
What Do DreamSpace Ambassadors Do?
DreamSpace Ambassadors take on a true leadership role. Their work varies from one school to another, but typically includes:
a) Participating in STEM Training Sessions
b) Supporting 1st year coding classes and introducing younger students to Micro:bit or block‑based coding.
c) Creating Minecraft Education challenges to teach problem‑solving or online safety.
d) Helping teachers integrate digital tools into lessons (e.g., MakeCode, Micro:bit, Minecraft).
e) Running or contributing to digital citizenship and online safety campaigns.
f) Participating in hands‑on maker projects using accessible materials and free coding platforms.
g) Leading STEM demonstrations during school events or open days.
Positive impacts of the programme, are that it builds their leadership and confidence, encourages a passion for STEM, strengthens Digital Skills for the future, enhances the whole school community and removes barriers to Technology. Through this programme, our Digital Leaders grow their own digital skills while helping improve the overall digital literacy of the school.
3. Leading Safer Internet Week
Safer Internet Week is a major event in the school calendar, and the Digital Leaders play a central role in planning and delivering it. Their responsibilities may include:
- Designing posters, presentations, and videos that promote safe, respectful online behaviour.
- Delivering short workshops or assemblies on cyberbullying, privacy, safe passwords, social media awareness, and digital wellbeing.
- Creating awareness campaigns that encourage students to think before they post and understand their digital footprint.
- Running lunchtime activities or quizzes highlighting key messages such as responsible sharing, consent online, and ways to report harmful content.
- Gathering student opinions on online safety and sharing them with staff.
By leading Safer Internet Week, Digital Leaders help build a culture of respect, responsibility, and wellbeing in the digital space.
4. Supporting the Rollout of the Term Newsletter
The school’s Term Newsletter is an important way of celebrating student achievements and keeping families informed. Digital Leaders contribute by:
- Helping collect stories, photos, and updates from different clubs, classes, and events.
- Designing layouts using tools like Canva or Sway.
- Editing articles to ensure they are clear, engaging, and student-friendly.
- Ensuring accessibility, such as readable fonts, alt-text for images, and a clean layout.
- Assisting with the digital distribution of the newsletter through Microsoft Teams, email, and the school website.
Their creativity and organisational skills make the newsletter a vibrant and professional publication that reflects the life of the school.
Why the Digital Leaders Matter
The Digital Leader team is much more than a tech-support group. They are role models, creators, organisers, and champions of positive digital culture. Their work promotes:
- Confidence in using technology
- Student voice and leadership
- Digital safety and wellbeing
- Collaboration across year groups
- A modern, forward-thinking school environment
By taking on these responsibilities, Digital Leaders gain valuable skills—communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, and digital fluency—that will support them in school and beyond.
The Digital Leaders have created a troubleshoot guide and helpful solutions for everyday IT issues that may arise for the students on their devices.
Please find the link to these slides below:
Quick IT Solutions Digital Leaders CPS
Below is a list of the Digital Leaders in our College.
Digital Leaders for 2025 - 2026