Languages- Auslan

fing chanxperienceoiCommunicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2026, and welcome your input:

Amanda Oakley (Languages- Auslan) Amanda.Oakley2@education.vic.gov.au

Shar Stjerne (Languages- Auslan) Shar.Stjerne@education.vic.gov.au 

Term Two

Our Auslan Learning Community!

Term Two has been filled with the excitement of Auslan Day with Gonketa (Jaycob Campbell). Following the amazing incursion, our work as a school community has focused on the learning from this day. All year levels have focused on the linguistic features of Auslan and in particular 'handshapes' as this is a main focus of Gonketa's artwork. Here is some information about our inspirational visitor.

G'day! I'm Jaycob Campbell, better known as Gonketa. I'm a Deaf visual artist based in Naarm (Melbourne), and my art is a powerful, vibrant declaration of Deaf culture and the transformative power of visual language. My work is an exploration of the human experience, captured in the dynamic movement and powerful, sculpted shapes formed by hands and gestures the very heart of communication. I paint with bold, vivid colours and exaggerated expressions, not just to catch your eye, but to emphasise the profound importance of visible language. My ultimate mission is to promote self-determination for Auslan users and the wider Deaf community, leaving a visible mark and a powerful, enduring legacy that reminds everyone: We are always here. 

(from Jaycob's website... https://www.gonketa.com/)

Our Senior Students Welcoming Jaycob in Auslan.

Some student feedback about Gonketa's visit.

"I really liked it, it was very cool" Emma S

"It was cool. Jaycob was really nice" Ayano

"I liked doing my name in different ways" Maxi

"I liked Gonketa's work and he's really nice" Lola

"I thought Jaycob was a good presenter and I thought the artwork was really interesting" Mrs Buddy

"It was amazing" Emma S

"It was extraordinary" Eleanor

"I loved it" Beau

"I think it was a great experience" Monica

"It was really cool to see someone doing Auslan quickly" Lucy

"I thought Auslan Day was really fun" Alyssia

Foundation 

With the lead up to Auslan day, the Foundation students have been building their understanding about 'handshapes'. This is a linguistic feature of Auslan, that many signs use a particular handshape in a space with a certain movement, positioned in a particular way. If any of these features change, so does the word/sign.

We have been learning about animal, number and emotion signs and the students have been busy learning through games, using objects and small group work.

Year One

A key aspect of learning this term has been describing things with our face, body and signs, to communicate information about objects and places.  Creating monsters, playing guess who and building with lego are some of the 'hands on' ways we have been developing our knowledge  of Auslan.

  Year Two 

Year Two students have been extending their skills in Auslan by creating phrases relating to places and weather such as planning weather forecasts and presenting these to peersThey had many questions about Gonketa and a several fantastic sessions reflecting on the Auslan Day incursion. Here are some of their comments below.

Year Three to Six

The senior students have been exploring the handshapes that make their names unique. The theme of identity and self has running through the vocabulary and expressions we have been discovering from our inquiries into handshapes that create our names. We were all very inspired and amazed by Jaycob (Gonketa's) artwork that we created our own. Focusing on the handshapes that make up or names instead of the fingerspelling alphabet, we have been able to break down what makes our names unique and the same as others. The pointer and open five handshape was present in everyones works as they create all of the vowels, including the honourary Y.