Principal's Message
Student Safety, Wellbeing and Culture at Brighton Secondary College
A recent media article published claims made by an individual regarding an alleged incident that impacted the safety of a student at Brighton Secondary College. This has understandably prompted discussion within our community. Student safety and wellbeing are responsibilities we take extremely seriously, and I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm both our commitment to and the work currently underway across the school.
Schools are complex environments, and secondary schools in particular bring together young people navigating adolescence, identity, peer relationships and increasing independence. While no school can entirely eliminate conflict or poor decision-making, every school has a responsibility to build a culture where students feel safe, supported, connected and accountable.
At Brighton Secondary College, our work is guided by a clear belief that every student deserves both high support and high expectations.
This philosophy has shaped a range of initiatives introduced over the past eighteen months.
At the beginning of 2025, I spoke to students about safety as our first non-negotiable — both physical safety and psychological safety. Since then, we have continued to strengthen our proactive approach through:
the introduction of our student-led Upstander campaign,
increased encouragement and pathways for reporting unsafe behaviour,
ongoing Positive Classroom Management strategies,
strengthened student support structures,
and a revised leadership model that provides each year level with dedicated leadership support.
Our Upstander program encourages students to set high expectations for their own conduct, to speak up when they witness bullying, discrimination or unsafe behaviour and reinforces an important message: we care, we listen and we act.
Alongside preventative work, we also maintain clear behavioural expectations. When students engage in behaviour that places others at risk, schools must respond appropriately, consistently and fairly. Accountability is an important part of creating a safe learning environment for all students.
Throughout my career as a school leader, including previous work leading significant school improvement through trauma-informed, positive education approaches, I have consistently believed that strong relationships, clear boundaries and high expectations work together — not in opposition to one another.
Cultural change in schools is ongoing work. It requires partnership between students, staff and families, and it requires schools to continually reflect, refine and improve.
Brighton Secondary College is deeply committed to that work.
I remain optimistic about the future of our school and proud of the care, professionalism and commitment shown every day by our staff and students.
Have a great weekend.
Peter Langham