Lilla Duncan, 17 (L) is profoundly deaf, and for her and others like her, having others who can communicate in Auslan, the sign language of Australia’s Deaf community, can make a profound difference. Now students at Sacred Heart Primary School are learning the language.
There is a new language being signed around Sacred Heart Primary School this term, with students from Prep to Year 6 enthusiastically learning Auslan, the sign language of Australia’s Deaf community, under new teacher Tracy Richardson.
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Tracy joined the school at the beginning of the term after moving to Yarrawonga with her family from Kilmore and brings six years’ experience teaching Auslan.
Tracy’s passion for Auslan began as a child watching her family make sure her cousin, who is deaf, was included in everything they did.
After becoming a teacher, her daughter began learning Auslan in kindergarten, which inspired Tracy into further study and deepened her passion for teaching the language.
“Everybody at Sacred Heart has been really welcoming,” she said.
“There is a positive culture and everybody really loves to learn Auslan.”
The enthusiasm has quickly spread beyond the classroom, with students going home and teaching their parents, siblings and grandparents the signs they have learned.
At the school's recent Grandparents’ Day, Tracy said grandparents were particularly excited to see their grandchildren learning a language that could help them communicate with people who were deaf or hard of hearing.
For students, Auslan lessons are active, fun and hands-on.
While learning colours, students raced outside after Tracy signed a colour, giving them 10 seconds to find something of that colour.
Other lessons have included a Pac-Man-style game to reinforce the signs.
But behind the games is an important lesson about inclusion, diversity and kindness with children learning to understand the difference they can make.
Scred Heart Primary School’s Auslan teacher, Tracy Richardson says the kids have loved learning Auslan.
“I want the kids to be able to include someone out in their community who might be hard of hearing,” Tracy said.
“Even if it's a simple ‘hi, how are you?’ that would really brighten someone's day.
“It’s about teaching kids to understand that we're not all the same,” Tracy said.
“It’s really important to show kindness and respect to everybody no matter their abilities.”
The importance of Auslan is close to home for former Yarrawonga resident Sophie Duncan.
Sophie grew up in Yarrawonga, and her parents, Kate and Len, still live in town.
She is now executive manager at the John Pierce Centre for Deaf in Melbourne and mum to 17-year-old Lilla, who is profoundly deaf.
For her, seeing Auslan introduced at Sacred Heart is another step towards creating a more inclusive Yarrawonga community.
Kate and Len have learned Auslan so they can communicate with their granddaughter, and many of Sophie’s Yarrawonga friends have learned the language.
“A Deaf Auslan teacher came to us and taught myself and my family, and Mum and Dad and my friends have all had lessons,” Sophie said.
“There are a few deaf people around Yarrawonga now, so I’m very excited about it.”
