Inclusive Curriculum Program
Description of Program:
The League for Life inclusive curriculum program was a pilot program for Robina SHS in 2007. It is a comprehensive approach to schooling that uses relevant contextual experiences, current student interests, rugby league, associated principles and essential life skills as the vehicle to drive curriculum. The program runs from Year 9 to 12 and combines curriculum, literacy, numeracy, ICT, life skills, fitness, team sport, personal development and enterprise. Students work with staff, outside providers, key personnel and players from the Titans and the Gold Coast ARL development officers. In 2008 three Gold Coast schools- Robina SHS, Elanora SHS and Nerang SHS and Patrician brothers Blacktown in Sydney have students commencing the program Students study Maths, English, P.E. (Rugby League) and one elective subject together plus a welfare program. The curriculum is based around rugby league and sport and other student interests. Students also take other subjects outside of the LFL program.
Aim of the program:
The aim of the program is to identify and cater for students who may need motivation to continue their schooling, who find schooling difficult or who want to improve themselves and their grades. LFL aims to engage these students in their studies through a comprehensive program that utilizes contextual life learning, current student interests, rugby league, welfare programs, projects and the ICTs as a motivational tool to improve their overall schooling experience and fitness. The LFL program also provides them with valuable skills they can draw upon throughout their life.
Effectiveness of the Program and Promotion to Date:
The LFL inclusive curriculum program has huge potential and it has received some positive feedback and noticeable results in the pilot year. The program has been promoted both locally and interstate through the newspapers, channel 9 news, at the ARLD national conference, the Working with Boys Building Fine Men National Conference in Newcastle, Channel 10 Sydney, the QLD ICT conference and in the U.K. It received two small grants and minor sponsorship for Robina SHS in 2007. The National Manager of the program Robina SHS teacher Deb Derrick was awarded a $25 000 teaching award for her role in starting the program. Graham Herlihy, also responsible for the program implementation was Gold Coast teacher of the year in 2007. This is the only school based learning initiative that the Gold Coast Titans committed to in 2007 and they are wholly supporting the expansion on the Gold Coast in 2008 and beyond. LFL won the NRL 2007 Service to the Community One Community Award and is endorsed by NRL One Community, ARLD in Sydney and Griffith University. Patrician Brothers in Blacktown are aligned to Parramatta Leagues Club and The Australian College of Physical Education.
Information Brochure (pdf)
"Playing for Success" Sport Club Program
Description of Program:
The Robina State High School "Sport for Success" Sport Club Program is a supportive approach to mainstream schooling that uses the motivational power of sport and associated principles as the means to engage students.
The program runs for approximately 2 hours a week for a minimum of a term and supports school curriculum by improving literacy, numeracy, ICT skills, self esteem, health and fitness and focuses on personal development and self esteem. Students work with a Sport Club teacher and also have the opportunity to work with the Gold Coast Titans, Gold Coast Blaze, ARLD and other sports persons, clubs and community programs such as Queenslanders in the Community.
Sport Club aims to encourage participation in learning and sport by utilising current student interests, sport and the ICTs as the motivational tools to improve the overall educational experience. Sport Club also provides opportunities to develop self confidence and gain skills that can be drawn upon throughout life.
Learning is varied and involves the use of computers, art and drama activities, games, reading and sport activities. Students work in small groups and individually and learn at their own pace. Students help identify areas they wish to improve upon and are rewarded for participation and progress. A certificate of completion is presented at the end of the program and students are given a Sport Club t-shirt and cap to keep.
A focus and health and nutrition and physical activities are also an important part of the Sport Club program. Students will be given an opportunity to work with sporting stars, local clubs and coaches to help motivate them and improve their overall fitness levels.
Sport Club caters for students who wish to improve their learning and self esteem or those who need motivation to engage in learning and physical activity. Currently the program is for students at Robina SHS in Year 8 and primary schools students. Students in the Nalinah Balin LFL Indigenous program may also access the Sport Club learning zone in 2009. It is envisaged that the Sport Club program model will expand to include other LFL Gold Coast schools in 2009.
Nalinah Balin Program
Description of Program:
The Nalinah Balin Indigenous Youth Project will utilize the existing infrastructure of the League for Life inclusive curriculum program. It will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students whom would benefit from an incentives based project, designed to improve attendance and engagement at school. It will target 8 Gold Coast secondary schools. The Nalinah Balin Project provides a structured reward system linked to current school curriculum and also monthly after school activities such as rugby league clinics, camps and gala events. It is envisaged that the students may also take part in the Double Club program. Burleigh Bears are the primary partner of this project. ARLD, NRL One Community and Griffith University also support this initiative.
The main areas that this project will target are:
- Literacy and numeracy ICT
- Fitness
- Team Sport
- Personal Development
- Monitoring and reporting student progress in ways that enable students, teachers, parents and the wider community to be informed and involved
- Build effective partnerships between Education Queensland and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities based on mutual target obligations
- Achieve greater coherence in the delivery of services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, their families and communities
- Student participation, progression and educational outcomes
- School Attendance
- School Completion Rates
- Behaviour management issues, and the links to juvenile offending and detention
- Employment and career management strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.
Aim of the program:
The Nalinah Balin (Our Youth) pilot project is designed to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students in the Southern Area of the Queensland Educational catchment area to lift the retention rate and engagement of and engagement of Indigenous youth in the Educational system.
