2011 Awards
Teacher Award
Mr Dane Ropa
Head Teacher, The Faculty of Arts
Cumberland High School, Carlingford, NSW
Dane Ropa has revolutionised the status of music at Cumberland High School, where music now defines the nature of the school as perceived in the local community. Dane has developed a wide range of ensembles, in which students develop leadership skills, in addition to musical skills. The ensemble program is credited with lifting the self-esteem and confidence of many students and increasing student retention rates into the senior years. Dane’s approach to the music program is based on his belief that music is a language that all can access and a language which crosses generational boundaries. Dane has introduced a concert series involving all Year 7 and 8 students performing a substantial work (for example, Mozart’s Requiem) which forms part of the curriculum thus allowing students to deeply study these works and to access online assessment.
Dane is an inspirational music educator who empowers his students to develop strong and self-directed skills for life.