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.
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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.
Shannon Page
Student Protection Advisor & Student Voice Program Co -Lead
Shannon has worked in Child Protection throughout Queensland and the U.K. Prior to this she worked in church ministry and adult education settings, and is excited by transparent and healthy leadership and culture. Shannon has spent more than a decade volunteering and supporting youth and young adults to navigate the exciting and sometimes overwhelming years of teenage-hood and early twenties. She is passionate about children and young people knowing their rights and supporting families and communities to be as safe, healthy and inclusive as possible.
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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.
Cyndi Mandile
Student Protection Advisor
Cyndi is a dedicated social worker who has worked extensively with children and families and specialises in child protection. She has substantial experience in all aspects of the child protection system, having worked across government and community services in Canada, the UK and Australia. Cyndi is passionate about the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and her ease in relating to others is an asset in achieving these important outcome.
Vicki Holding
Student Protection Advisor
Vicki is a social worker with substantial experience in child protection services as well as supporting and mentoring others in this area. She is great at helping others to learn because she is an engaging storyteller with a knack for making complex matters easy to understand. Vicki is quick to form connections with others. These are strengthened by her dedication, hard work and reliability as a team member and student protection consultant.
Student Protection Advisor
Sanja is a social worker with over 15 years experience in working with children and families in the context of child protection, youth justice and Family Law. She has substantial experience in all aspect of the child protection system and particularly enjoys working across differences, coaching, mentoring, and building respectful relationships that support children, young people and their families reach their full potential.
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Student Protection Advisor
Laura M is a social worker and a youth worker with over 10 years of experience in direct practice supporting children, young people, young families, and women. She is passionate about the rights of children and young people, especially the right to be safe and be heard.
Dianna Rigo
Administration Service Officer
Dianna is organised and likes to make a positive difference to the people she encounters. She enjoys working collaboratively with the team to provide a quality service and seeks solutions to problems as they arise.