The Great Lakes College Forster campus PE teacher was nominated by NRL game development officer Kylie Hilder for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Christina has used the sport to create positive change by incorporating elements of NRL’S anti-bullying, eat well, play well and mental health programs into the school’s curriculum.

Students enrolled in physical education classes tackle rugby league as part of the practical element of the curriculum during the winter months as well as take part in refereeing courses.

As well as this, Christina is also a first aid officer with the Forster Tuncurry Hawks Football Club and was the first person to attend to local teenager Curtis Landers just after he suffered a serious neck injury during a game in Port Macquarie earlier this year.  

Christina stayed by Curtis’ side and told him to keep still and calm until an ambulance arrived. He was later airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. 

Doctors later told Curtis and his family that the first few hours were critical and the help he received from Christina had been pivotal. 

“I just knew I had to keep him still,” Christina recalls of the day of the accident.    

“I think it’s what any first aid officer would have done.” 

When asked about the nomination, Christina says she feels humble but believes there are other worthy candidates. 

“I had a few missed calls and then they called me to say that I had received the nomination. I just laughed at them.  I couldn’t believe it really, I thought surely there must be so many other people out there more deserving than me.” 

The prize for the National Teacher of the Year award is four nights accommodation for two adults and two children at an ACCOR Hotel valued at $1,400.

Christina will attend the ceremony tomorrow night (Thursday September 25) at the Carriage Works in Sydney.