Miss Van Biljon

I trained as a teacher in South Africa before emigrating to the UK in 1999. I initially joined St Helen’s as a supply teacher, an opportunity that quickly developed into a much longer professional journey within a school that I have come to value deeply. Looking back, the investment that has been made in my professional development throughout my career has played a significant role in shaping the leader I am today.
My journey has progressed from supply teacher, to permanent class teacher, to Maths and Pastoral Subject Leader, and subsequently into senior leadership. At every stage, CPD has been central to my development. The opportunities to access training, develop new skills, work alongside experienced leaders and reflect on my practice have enabled me to grow in confidence, knowledge and professional responsibility.
As a Phase Leader for many years, my CPD journey evolved from developing my own practice to supporting the professional development of others. This experience helped me to recognise the importance of creating a culture in which staff feel encouraged and supported to identify their own areas for development. Supporting colleagues through their CPD journeys also strengthened my understanding that effective professional development should ultimately translate into improved practice and better outcomes for children and families.
My experience leading Pastoral Care, together with opportunities to shadow the previous Headteacher and undertake a wide range of leadership, safeguarding and professional skills training, prepared me to take on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead. This was a significant step in my professional development. It required me to apply my learning within a complex and highly accountable area of school leadership, ensuring that safeguarding remained central to decision-making, practice and the culture of the school.
As my leadership responsibilities continued to develop, I was mentored into the role of Assistant Headteacher. This progression has enabled me to build on the practical leadership experience I had already gained while developing a deeper understanding of strategic leadership, organisational culture and accountability.
More recently, my professional development has been further strengthened through the Our Lady of Grace Leadership Development Programme. This has provided me with opportunities to engage critically with leadership theories while also considering how these principles translate into effective practice. In particular, it has strengthened my understanding of statutory frameworks and the importance of ensuring that these are not simply understood by leaders, but embedded consistently across the whole school.
The impact of my CPD journey is therefore evident not only in my own professional progression, but also in the way I lead and support others. I have developed from being a practitioner focused primarily on my own classroom practice into a reflective and strategic leader who understands the importance of developing people, strengthening systems and maintaining high standards. My CPD has given me the knowledge, confidence and resilience to take on increasing levels of responsibility and to respond effectively to the changing demands of school leadership.
Ultimately, my CPD journey has been one of continuous growth. Each opportunity, whether through formal training, mentoring, shadowing, collaboration or learning through experience, has contributed to the leader I am today. I am particularly grateful for the investment made in me throughout my career, and I now see one of my key responsibilities as ensuring that this culture of professional investment continues for those I lead. My aim is to use my learning and experience to empower others, strengthen practice and contribute positively to the continued development of the whole school community.