Child Safety Officer

"I've got so much to say, if only you would listen... "

Empowering Students to Speak Up and be Heard at Leighland Christian School

At Leighland Christian School, we want every student to know that their voice matters. Feeling safe at school isn’t just about physical safety—it’s also about knowing you’re heard, supported, and cared for. We’re committed to creating a culture where students feel confident to speak up, share concerns, and be part of shaping a positive school environment.

Just like in the School of Rock Production, our students have so much to say, if only we would listen! We are actively looking at ways in which we can meet and exceed Child Safe

Standard 2:

Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them, and are taken seriously.

Encouraging Student Voice

We’ve put a number of things in place to help students feel comfortable expressing themselves:

Classroom Check-Ins: Teachers and Learning Support staff regularly check in with students about how they’re feeling. These moments help build trust and give students a chance to share what’s going on for them.
Student Leadership Teams: Our Student Leaders meet with staff to share ideas and raise issues. They’re a key part of helping us understand what’s working well and what could be better.
Anonymous Feedback Boxes: These are available so students can share thoughts or concerns privately. Staff check them regularly and follow up as needed.
Restorative Practices: When things go wrong, we use restorative conversations to help students work through conflict in a respectful and supportive way. This process often builds trust and positive relationships between students and staff which enables students to feel safer sharing.

We are really fortunate to have a strong team supporting student wellbeing:

Class Teachers and Learning Support staff are often quick to notice when something’s not quite right. They build strong relationships with students and are great at picking up on changes in mood or behaviour.
As a CEN school with a parent-directed Board, we highly value parent and family partnerships. When our staff have concerns about students, we partner with parents to ensure we are sharing the load and providing care where it is needed.
Our Chaplain offers a safe, faith-based space for students to talk, reflect, and receive pastoral care. Whether it’s a quiet chat or a group activity, the Chaplain, Cathrin Boerma, is another trusted adult in our school.
School Counsellors, Sheree Bryan (Primary) & Rupert Penrith (Secondary) are available to support students with more complex needs. This year, we’ve also been thrilled to add Melissa Braddock (Youth Worker) to the Secondary Well-Being team. The team works closely with heads of schools, families and staff to make sure each child gets the help they need and their voices are heard.

Together, this team ensures that every student knows there’s someone they can turn to—whether they’re facing a challenge, need advice, or just want to talk.

Partnering with Families

We know that keeping children safe is something we do best when we work together. We encourage families to talk with their children about the importance of speaking up, and to reach out to us if they have any concerns. Together, we can make sure every child feels safe, supported, and empowered.

Erin Beer

Co-Head of Primary