AUSLAN @ WPS

Auslan 

This term in Auslan, in support of our school wellbeing program, there has been a focus across all year levels on learning key signs which help the students to express their emotions and how they are feeling. Our Preps have been introduced to fingerspelling through the fun of ‘Auslan Alphabet Bingo’, and they have eagerly learnt the first verse of “Advance Australia Fair’ and are beginning to proudly participate in singing and signing at our weekly assemblies. 

Our junior students have been expanding their use of Auslan signs, through signing conversations about family, feelings, and special events with their classmates, playing number games and studying the use of non-manual features by a variety of story-book signers from the Deaf community. They particularly enjoyed signing to the song “Rainbow Connection” at Family Fun Day, and are often seen signing together during their lunchtimes or teaching their family new signs!

The senior students began the term by furthering their understanding of Deaf culture and culturally appropriate protocols, as well as recognising that Auslan is a distinct language with its own syntax and grammar. They learnt about Deaf gain, and on International Women’s Day, studied the work of former Young Australian of the Year and Deaf advocate, Drisana Levitzke Gray. The term ended with the students planning activities to celebrate ‘Auslan Day’ in early Term 2.