Meet the team behind the BCE Student Voice initiative. We work with students and staff to create safe and inclusive learning communities. We know that safety, belonging and connection are critical to students thriving and flourishing.
Colin O'Neill
Manager Employee Relations & Student Protection
Colin has been in Catholic education for over 20 years, and since 2011 with BCE. The dynamic and challenging nature of employee relations and student protection drive and energizes Colin. Colin genuinely gets joy out of work that he does and the people he works with and that through this he is able to contribute to the learning of students in BCE schools.
Carolyn De Witt-Ryall
Student Protection Lead
Carolyn is a social worker who is committed to creating safe, inclusive and connected communities for children and young people. She believes that children and young people have the right to participate in decisions that impact on them. Carolyn believes that by combining the wisdom and experience of students and staff, we can transform the education system making it even better and more student focused.
.jpg)
Elkē van den Heuvel
Student Protection Lead
Elkē (spelt with a 'e' said with an 'a'!) van den Heuvel – new to BCE from June 2023, as a Lead in Student Protection. The move to BCE came after 24 years in statutory child protection in Queensland with the last 16 years as manager of the Bayside Child Safety Service Centre. As a Social Worker I have had a professional commitment to keeping children safe at home and in our communities for more than 3 decades in both government and non government. Transitioning this focus to safety for children in their learning environments is an exciting new opportunity for me. I enjoy being part of a team and find the leadership and ongoing learning aspects of my roles to be what gives me energy.
Student Protection Advisor & Student Voice Program Co -Lead
Nadia is an experienced practitioner in the child protection field working in service delivery roles directly with children, young people and their families as well as in senior practice, team leadership and review & consultancy roles. She enjoys forming connections and engaging others collaboratively to get an understanding of the whole picture from different perspectives and building on people's strengths. Nadia is passionate about child protection and for children to have a voice in what makes them feel safe & included.
borative, Child-focused,Strngths-base
Student Protection Advisor & Student Voice
Caitlan is a social worker who has joined BCE after 17 years in child protection in both government and non-government sectors in the UK & Australia. Caitlan has experience in all aspects of child protection and is particularly passionate about early intervention and engaging families in times of crisis, as well as supporting young people with high-risk behaviours. She enjoys connecting with others and working as a team to support the safety of children in the community.
.jpg)
Immaculate Vuciri
Student Voice Engagement Officer
Immaculate is a former BCE student who has recently joined the team. She started out as a consultant in 2020-2021, was a peer mentor in 2022, and in 2023, she began the year as a volunteer and is now part of the student voice staff team. Immaculate enjoys working alongside the student voice team as it is a safe and nurturing space that encourages students to speak up. The student voice initiatives allow students to not only grow as consultants but also as individuals.
Student Voice Engagement Officer
Anna's recent addition to the voice team in 2023 comes after working in Student Engagement within the university sector. As a part-time member supporting the BCE Student Voice Program, Anna is enthusiastic about fostering student empowerment by helping them voice opinions on issues that matter to them while also promoting their personal and professional growth as leaders.