League for Life Alliance Meets for the First Time
Wednesday 21st, May 2008
On Wednesday April 23rd Robina SHS hosted the first ever LFL Alliance function- a morning tea and tour of Skilled Park. All the LFL schools, partners and sponsors of the program gathered at Robina SHS for a presentation of the LFL program to date, including reports from all 4 schools and Nalinah Balin, the Indigenous program which started in March 2008. There was also a focus on future directions of LFL and the newest program Sports Club, involving several sports including league, union and basketball, starting in term 3 with local primary schools. All participants, partners and sponsors were presented with certificates of membership of the LFL Alliance and were thanked for their contribution to the success of LFL. Robina SHS Yr 10 student Ryan Keys spoke to the group, sharing how LFL has helped him improve as a student and a person. After the presentation the group mingled over morning tea and then took a private tour of Skilled Park, the home of the Gold Coast Titans. LFL National Manager Deb derrick said it was great to see all involved together for the first time and it was a great opportunity for everyone to meet each other. Michale Searle, CEO of the Gold Coast Titans said "the results of the program are really impressive and we are happy to be a part of something that helps the kids with their schooling." The alliance will meet again in late August for a fundraiser luncheon.
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League for Life Celebrates New Partner Schools
Monday 11th, February 2008
On Monday 11 February, Robina, Nerang and Elanora SHS celebrated the launch of the League for Life (LFL) program across the three schools.
Students, parents and staff of the program were involved in an interactive day that included motivational guest speaker and author Shane Ellis from Seven Simple Secrets to Success; the Gold Coast Titans personnel and players Luke Swain, Josh Graham and Nathan Friend; and development officers from Australian Rugby League. A pancake fundraiser for United Care, run by the Year 10 LFL students, raised over $150.
The highlight of the day was the mini-Olympics, where students competed in a variety of events for the inaugural Titans Challenge Shield. Year 9 Robina SHS students won the first round with some impressive displays of rugby league skills and tactics in competitive games.
Jordan Obarzanski won a signed Titans football for his superb efforts on the day and our Year 10 LFL boys beat the Titans players and teachers in the tug-or-war event. Yr 9 student Ben Bale said that he was really pleased to be given the chance to be part of LFL and that the mini-Olympics were awesome. Overall it was a successful day and the students and teachers had a heap of fun. A big thankyou to all involved
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Teaching Excellence Award
Friday 5th, October 2007
Congratulations to Ms Deb Derrick who has won a Minister's Award for Teacher Excellence. This prestigious award is valued at $25,000. Only 3 Qld teachers receive this award annually.
Deb is Head of The Arts and also the manager of the school's 'League for Life' program. Established at Robina SHS in 2007, 'League for Life' embraces a comprehensive approach to schooling that uses rugby league to engage students in their studies, improve behaviour, grades, fitness and overall performance as a person. The Teacher Excellence Award recognises the work Deb has done in establishing this initiative.
Deb will use her award to improve her leadership and management skills as part of her PhD studies. In 2008, Deb will work with colleagues in community-based learning in the United Kingdom and present her findings there before returning home to manage further expansion of the program in Queensland and interstate.
Students involved in 'League for Life' are proud of their own achievements and also Ms Derrick for taking out such a celebrated award. Congratulations, Deb!
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League for Life One Community Award
Friday 21st, September 2007
Sydney's spectacular Taronga Park Zoo recently hosted the illustrious awards ceremony for the inaugural NRL (National Rugby League) One Community Awards. Rugby League personalities from around the country celebrated the contribution the game has made to the community throughout 2007.
Robina State High School took out the Service to the Community Award for our League for Life curriculum-based program aimed at motivating troublesome students to succeed in the classroom. The League for Life program has proven a tremendous success with improved classroom attendance and academic results.
Program developer and Robina High teacher Deb Derrick believes that by integrating Rugby League into the curriculum students automatically become interested in what they are learning.
"The kids at Robina are Rugby League mad, but I must say even I was surprised by the success of the League for Life," Ms Derrick said.
"Truancy has been on the decline and academic results in those classes where the League for Life program has been adopted have been up, providing further proof of the program’s success."
The award included a $5000 cheque for the program and an impressive trophy.
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Mr Graham Herlihy - Gold Coast Teacher of the Year
Sunday 29th, July 2007
We've always known that Graham Herlihy is a great teacher and now that's been confirmed with him being announced the winner of the Gold Coast Teacher of the Year Award at a Gala Ball held at Jupiter's Casino on Saturday night, 28 July. He was selected out of the 15 teachers nominated from each of the State Secondary Schools on the Gold Coast as an exemplary educator. Graham is equally at home in a Maths classroom as he is on the rugby field and manages to captivate and inspire students so that they give 110% effort. He is a master practitioner who believes in the importance of goal setting; a value he seeks to instil within his students. Graham is an integral part of Robina High School's League for Life initiative and is the Open Rugby League Coach. Congratulations Herls, we're all very proud of you!
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