June 23, 2026
St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL is proud to announce Holly Forsey, a Grade 11 student at John Watkins Academy, Hermitage, as the 2026 Safe Student of the Year and Jordan Chippett, a teacher at Indian River High School, Springdale, as the 2026 Health and Safety Educator of the Year.
The Safe Student of the Year is awarded $1,000. The Health and Safety Educator of the Year is awarded $500, and their school receives $500 toward health and safety equipment and supplies.
Holly Forsey is recognized for her strong commitment to safety, leadership and student well-being at John Watkins Academy. With formal training in Occupational Health and Safety and First Aid, Holly consistently puts safe practices into action at school and in the community, from science labs to student transportation.
Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through her work on Student Council, where she advocates for student safety and mental health, and through her volunteer roles supporting younger students and maintaining safe, organized school spaces. Holly leads by example, helping to create a school culture where safety, inclusion and responsibility are a shared priority.
Jordan is recognized for his ongoing dedication to student safety; leading by example and fostering a strong culture of care throughout his school. As a long-standing member of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, he plays an active role in supporting medical needs, maintaining safety resources and reinforcing safe practices in classrooms, workshops and extracurricular activities.
He consistently integrates safety into his teaching through hands-on learning, first aid training, guest speakers and real-world experiences that prepare students for future work environments. His commitment to physical safety, mental health and emergency preparedness has helped create a school environment where safety is understood, expected and actively practiced by students and staff alike.
“Congratulations to Holly Forsey and Jordan Chippett on this well-deserved recognition. Through their leadership, commitment and everyday actions, they are helping build a stronger culture of safety in their schools and communities,” said Elizabeth Lane, CEO, WorkplaceNL. “At WorkplaceNL, we are proud to support young people and educators who are shaping safer workplaces for the future.”
Young workers, aged 15–24 years, are typically at higher risk for injury on the job. WorkplaceNL continues to invest in programs that engage youth and educators in injury prevention and workplace safety awareness, including the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) 3203 high school course offered throughout the province and the free online Young Worker OHS Course.
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About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 230,000 workers and 17,000 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault workers’ compensation system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications and Engagement
709.778.1590 or [email protected]