Safeguarding Sunday competition inspires creativity and commitment
News
Safeguarding Sunday once again provided an opportunity for communities across the Archdiocese to come together and celebrate the importance of creating safe and welcoming environments for all. This year, schools and parishes were invited to participate in a special competition centred on the theme of a Safeguarding Wall of Commitment. Communities embraced the opportunity to reflect on what safeguarding means to them and to publicly express their commitment through creative and collaborative displays.
What followed was a remarkable display of creativity, collaboration, and dedication. Entries were received from both schools and parishes, with each community bringing its own unique approach. Some walls featured colourful artistic designs, while others incorporated prayers, messages of support, scripture reflections, and personal commitments. Many entries involved the participation of school communities, parish groups, volunteers, families, and staff members, highlighting that safeguarding is a shared responsibility for everyone.
The Integrity and Safeguarding Department team was particularly impressed by the thought, care, and effort evident in every submission. Beyond the creative displays, each wall demonstrated a genuine understanding of the role every person plays in fostering a culture of safeguarding. The handprints, messages, reflections, and symbols served as powerful reminders that safeguarding is not simply a set of policies or procedures, but a commitment that must be lived out each day through our actions, words, and care for one another.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this year’s competition was seeing communities engage in meaningful conversations about safeguarding. Through the creation of their walls, participants reflected on values such as respect, inclusion, kindness, vigilance, compassion, and accountability. These reflections help strengthen awareness and reinforce the ongoing commitment to safeguarding throughout our schools and parishes.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in this year’s competition. Whether you submitted an entry, contributed a handprint, helped organise your display, or supported the initiative in another way, your involvement helped make Safeguarding Sunday a great success.
We are delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2026 Safeguarding Sunday Competition:
1st Place: Elizabeth Catholic Parish captivated the Department with its beautifully crafted Safeguarding Wall of Commitment. Designed as a large tree, the display used handprints as leaves, symbolising the many individual commitments that come together to create a strong and safe community. The addition of handmade flowers, welcoming imagery, and words such as Compassion, Love, Integrity, and Respect created a vibrant and visually engaging display that reflected both creativity and a deep understanding of safeguarding values.
2nd Place: Clearview/Kilburn Parish submitted a beautiful and creative commitment display, accompanied by a video showing the hand-shaped commitments gently moving in the wind. The many colourful layers of hands, each containing personal promises and reflections, came together to create a powerful visual representation of the community’s shared commitment to safeguarding. The movement of the hands in the breeze brought the display to life, symbolising the ongoing responsibility of every parishioner to help create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all. The project was both visually striking and deeply meaningful, demonstrating the parish’s collective dedication
to safeguarding.
3rd place: St Paul College created a beautiful collage of colourful handprints arranged into vibrant flower-like displays, symbolising growth, community, and a shared commitment to safeguarding. Each hand contained individual messages, artwork,
and personal reflections, demonstrating the collective involvement of students in promoting a safe and welcoming environment. The creative design transformed individual commitments into a striking visual representation of unity, highlighting how every person’s contribution helps strengthen a culture of safeguarding throughout the
school community.
Most Creative Entry: Mount Barker-Strathalbyn Parish received the Most Creative Entry Award for its unique and thought-provoking display, A Confluence of Care: The River of Hope. The artwork brought together safeguarding commitments, personal pledges, and community action through the imagery of flowing water, hands, and hearts. The accompanying reflection explained how the protection of people and stewardship of creation are interconnected, creating a powerful visual and spiritual expression of safeguarding within parish life.
While only a small number of entries could receive an award, every participant should be immensely proud of their contribution. The creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment shown by our schools and parishes demonstrate that safeguarding continues to be a priority across the Archdiocese. Together, we are helping to build communities where every person is respected, valued, included, and safe.
Congratulations to all participants and winners and thank you for making this year’s Safeguarding Sunday celebration such a meaningful and memorable occasion. The Integrity and Safeguarding Operations team will be in contact with the winners regarding their prizes.
