Creating connections through Auslan
Wesley College and the Victorian College for the Deaf (VCD) opened the doors of their St Kilda Road campuses on the same city block in 1866, with VCD having operated in Windsor since 1860. Since then, we have existed side by side as communities of learning with a shared vision of educational excellence.
Early in Term 2, a group of Year 9 Wesley students were invited to take part in an Auslan class, taught by a group of Year 10-12 VCD students. Just over an hour later, the Wesley students were able to greet each other, share their names and communicate their favourite things. The classroom was filled with smiles and laughter as students from Wesley and VCD enjoyed teaching, learning and connecting over common ground.
‘It was lovely to meet the VCD students and learn about Auslan. The energy that my partner shared in teaching me the signs was electric! We had a simple conversation, but through this experience, I felt quite inspired and would love to visit again,’ Harrison said.
This memorable lesson was a wonderful way for students from both schools to connect, and one of many shared activities planned for the future.
Kashvi, Year 9, learning the alphabet in Auslan.
Harrison, Year 9, conversing in Auslan with his VCD partner.
'I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the VCD and learn the ABCs, how to introduce myself and some of my partner’s favourite signs. Working with the students was not only educational, but genuinely enjoyable,’ said Kashvi.
‘It was lovely to meet the VCD students and learn about Auslan. The energy that my partner shared in teaching me the signs was electric! We had a simple conversation, but through this experience, I felt quite inspired and would love to visit again,’ Harrison said.
This memorable lesson was a wonderful way for students from both schools to connect, and one of many shared activities planned for the future.
