Dominic’s School Impresses Experts On Training Of Deaf

“This is the first time we have ever seen deaf children dance to a gramophone,” said Dr. Irene Ewing delightedly when with her husband, Dr. A. W. G. Ewing, she visited St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf at Island Bay, Wellington, yesterday. The gramophone was fitted with a loudspeaker and to the music the children kept perfect time as they performed an English folk dance.

Dr. Ewing and Dr. Irene Ewing, world authorities on the education of the deaf, are visiting New Zealand to advise the Government on the education of the deaf. Dr. A. W. G. Ewing is professor in education of the deaf at Manchester University.

For an hour and a half the visitors watched the children at work. There are three classes catering for the 28 totally deaf and three hard-of-hearing children at the school. The youngest pupil is aged four and a-half.

As the children in one class watched her lips intently Dr. Irene Ewing said, “We are going home next week and when we get there we shall tell all the boys and girls about you in New Zealand.”

The children’s first attempts at weaving was admired and praised. Other samples of handiwork were seen and the children were heard in everyday lessons.

Dr. Ewing and his wife spoke to the staff at the conclusion of their visit and met a group of speech therapists during the afternoon tea at the invitation of the Reverend Mother.