Innovation in and out of the Classroom

Recent Highlights Include:

Science

Science in the classroom at Robina State High is where students are encouraged to consider scientific principles and phenomenon relevant to their life. Teachers facilitate the development of critical thinking skills. Students are given the opportunity to undertake scientific practical investigations – including using the Aquaculture and Marine Centre.

In year 8 and 9 learning experiences are based on the Queensland Science KLA Strands:

• Life and Living
• Earth and Beyond
• Energy and Change
• Natural and Processed Materials
• Science and Society

In year 10 (transition year) through to years 11 and 12, students are given the opportunity to study science that promotes preparing young Queenslanders for their future in a global economy. Science subjects include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Science 21
• Marine Studies
• Marine and Aquatics Practices (Year 11/12 only)

Science students at Robina SHS are encouraged to engage in extracurricular opportunities outside the classroom, including:

• Australian National Chemistry Quiz
• CSIRO Student Research Scheme
• Griffith University Gold Coast Schools Science Competition
• Griffith University Gold Coast Science and Engineering Challenge
• Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration Competition
• Smart Woman - Smart State Award
• University NSW International Competitions nd Assessment for School
• University Queensland Ambassador Program
• Science excursions and camps

Mathematics

All Year levels participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition to traditionally recognise the beginning of Mathematics Week. A team of three students, Gemma Foley, Laura McQuade and Tomoaki Shiratsuchi, represented the school in the Rio Tinto Competition. A daily puzzle competition was also held, which was supported by students and staff.

The Mathematics Department staff are a happy group of people who value the students they teach and work conscientiously to maximise each students' potential. This has been evidenced by the excellent results achieved and by being acknowledges recognised by past principal Lyn McKenzie in as “the best Mathematics Department on the coast”.

SOSE

The SOSE Department has a wide range of curriculum offerings for students. All Year 8 students study a SOSE course encompassing History, Geography, Civics and Economics.

Year 9 allows students to specialise in more specific subjects such as Geography and History or continue to study a more diverse SOSE subject.

Year 10 enables students to choose introductory subjects for years 11 & 12. “Wealth Creation&rdquo provides students with an introduction to Senior Economics. Year 10 history looks at both Modern and Ancient History with a focus on the Middle East to enable students to sample both subjects before choosing their senior subjects. Assessment tasks in all year 10 subjects mirror those in the seniour subjects and provide invaluable experience in the vital area of assessment.

In year 11 students may choose from the QSA subjects Geography, Modern and Ancient History and Economics as well as the school subject of Tourism. All the QSA subjects contribute to the calculation of a students OP score.

Most social science classes will undertake at least one field trip per year. All subjects try to incorporate the use of Technology and provide a wide range of learning experiences for students.

Languages other Than English

Robina High has always had a very innovative LOTE Department.  Our themed classrooms help create positive learning environments and our traditional Japanese Tatami Room is the only one of it's kind in a South East Queensland School.

Our LOTE staff are passionate about language teaching and learning. We believe in motivating students through innovative curriculum that teaches life skills through LOTE learning.

We enjoy a variety of out of class activities to support our teaching and learning.

Year 8 Students wrestle in giant Sumo suits, compete in Italian Bocce tournaments, and participate in Brazilian Capoeira Martial Arts, European Handball, Judo and Kendo as part of our Multicultural Sport Unit.

Year 9 Students complete a Marine Tourism Activity at Seaworld Nara Resort.

Year 10 Japanese and German students presented a fashion parade in LOTE to interested parents.

Year 12 Japanese Students enjoy a Gold Coast Tour and Duty free experience as part of our Tourism Unit.

50 of our students participate in the National LOTE tests and receive excellent results.

16 Year 10, 11 and 12 students visit Japan for two and a half weeks and stay with families at our sister school Chichibu High. Excursions to Tokyo, Yokohama, Hiroshima and Kyoto are highlights of the trip.

Health and Physical Education

Interschool sport again is enjoying a successful year with many students representing Robina with pride. A big thanks to Lee-Arn Young and Dave Purnell for their hours of work put into the sporting program.

Representative sport continues to flourish with numerous students representing the district, region and state throughout the year.

Communications

Many of our students represented the school in regional competitions, including Rochelle Siddle, Elli Dowley and Leah Emery, who participated in the Gold Coast Schools Debating Competition.

Brother and sister team Michael Bradshaw and Laura Bradshaw participated in the National Nine News Junior Newsreader Contest. They received a certificate and video of their performance and community recognition. The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe visited our campus and performed excepts from various Shakespearean plays for our Year 10 and 12 students. This annual event provides our students with an inspirational educational and highly entertaining experience.

Many of our students across all year levels had the opportunity to sit the Australasian Schools English Competition.

Business Education

The Business Education Department continues to focus on developing curriculum to meet the needs of the ever changing business environment. We continue our association with the Robina Chamber of Commerce through the Robina Junior Chamber of Commerce. This year the Junior Chamber is developing a Robina Chamber of Commerce Business Directory for distribution throughout the local business and school community. Members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce attended the monthly meetings of the Robina Chamber of Commerce, ably performing the role of responding to and thanking the guest speakers.

Throughout the year students will be invited to participate in a number of extra-curricular and networking opportunities in association with the BEAQ (Business Educators Association of Queensland) including the annual student breakfast at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, the Gold Coast Keyboarding Competition and the statewide Accounting Competition.

Technology

Recently the girls from Year 11 and 12 IPT, attended a day organised by Women In Computing. This day showed the girls what could be achieved in Information Technology and allowed them to speak with women working in this field and hear how they came to prominence. The day was successful in broadening students' perceptions and encouraging them to meet active role models.

Industrial Technology & Design

The Gold Coast Show should again be an excellent forum for our students to display their Graphics talents and Industrial Technology practical workshop skills. Last year's entries were stronger than ever. Students showcased CAD drawings, woodworking projects, plastics projects, and their CO2 dragster cars, all of which were prize winners.

Our Year 10 Technology Studies CO2 dragster car entries will again enter the State finals in Maryborough at the Technology Challenge. Each year school champions are selected and will represent our school at state level and if successful they will go on to the nationals. This year students will also engage in the REA challenge for computer designed and built cars. These cars are designed in Prodesktop and are then milled on a computer lathe at our hub school, Varsity college. The cars will compete against local schools with the best from the hub representing us at state level.

Once again our CAD graphics students are keen to start preparing their entries for the Australian Secondary Schools Digital Design Challenge. This annual competition is conducted through the Queensland College of Art and Griffith University. In the past we have won first prize nationally for Web-Page Design entry and many other placings nationally for 3D Design. This year students will be entering the categories of Web-Page Design, Graphic Design, 3-Dimensional Design, and Architectural Design. Good luck to all.

Lifestyle Management

Teaching and learning in the Lifestyle Management department focuses on developing valuable life skills in students that promote the health and well-being of the individual and the family in our society.

Learning through practical participation is a key learning strategy utilised by the staff.

Hospitality students continue to participate in catered functions to aid in the development of their skills. The refurbishment of the dining area provides an ideal setting for functions while our herb garden continues to allow us to be self sufficient in a range of herbs utilized by students in their cooking.

Community links have been made with local child care centres allowing students to gain valuable experience when they participate in our Early Childhood Practices field visits program.

Our much renowned “Virtual Baby” program allows students to experience parenthood as they care for their computerised ‘baby'. We are fortunate to have four ‘babies' as part of this program.

Involvement with the International department in providing cultural cooking experiences for visiting international students promotes cultural sharing and understanding for our students.

Year 9 Textile Studies students support breast cancer research by creating inspirational textile pieces. These are on public display at Robina Town Centre during Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

The Arts

The Arts department is characterised by a high level of extra curricula activity. The Year 12 Brecht night provided an opportunity for audiences to experience issues based theatre aiming to inform and educate.

The annual Arts Excellence Camp involved talented students from all senior cohorts across all arts areas. Workshops and projects linked with Education Week's theme, the Gold Coast Secondary school's Drama festival, Dance Night, local film festivals, art exhibitions at school and the at the Robina Town Centre A CD was recorded of compositions by music excellence students. Term two's dance night showcased a semesters' hard work in great style.

Our Instrumental music students have also experienced a high level of success. They received a gold certificate at the Fanfare festival and participated in Jazzing up the Mall in Brisbane. The string ensemble performed at the cancer campaign seminar at Burleigh Heads, at the Robina Town Centre and at the school's trienelle review dinner. The students attended their own camp at Mt Tambourine early in Term 3, which allowed them to focus on their performances forth the Tropicarnival competition. The band also participated in the annual tour to our feeder primary schools in term three.

Mr Peter Morrissey directs our year 9 / 10 and Year 11/ 12 entries in the Gold Coast Drama Festival during term 3. This is a very busy time of the year for the arts, as students are also involved in The Minster's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Energies and the Tropicarnival and Film Fantastic Festivals.

The creative year concludes with the annual Term 4 Showcase week in November, where al arts student showcase their final performances, art works, music, dances and films during lunchtime and after school.

Special Needs

In-class support for students in the special education class and others ascertained with specific disabilities has ensured that Robina offers an inclusive model for special needs. Education Queensland advocates this model as the preferred model in their future policy for 2010.Under this framework the Year 8 Literacy elective allows students with learning difficulties or ascertained disabilities to access extra support in a small, elective class group. Students revisit functional grammar and lessons are contextualised according to the expectations of their assessment and classwork.

Student progress is tracked across different subjects through a variety of mechanisms, including teacher/parent referrals, Year 8 test data and report results, to ensure appropriate and timely access to the support programme. Additional tutorial support is offered outside school hours for all students.

The Opti-minds Challenge (formerly Tournament of Minds) offers additional opportunities for all students, including gifted and talented students, to apply what they have learned to solve a variety of complex problems.