SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF NEW INSTITUTION: PROVISION FOR 54 CHILDREN

Deaf children from all parts of New Zealand are gradually overcoming their affliction at St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf, situated at Aorangi, near Feilding. There, in modern, well designed and equipped classrooms, children ranging from four years of age to 16 years, receive tuition from specially trained teachers whose skill is only surpassed by their patience and understanding.

There are pupils in the school from as far north as Whangarei, down to Invercargill in the south, and classrooms and boarding facilities are available to accommodate up to 54 children. There are five large classrooms of 24ft by 26ft, fitted with group hearing aids, and an arts and crafts room.

Upstairs are the dormitories for girls and downstairs the dormitories for boys. In addition, there is a large assembly hall in the U-shaped block as well as bathrooms, showers and quarters for the teaching staff. Linked with the school by path and covered-in verandah are the domesic quarters and kitchen and dining room.

The domestic or administration block is a two-storey homestead, previously owned by Mr. Kyle and built many years ago for Mr. C. Bull. This grand and spacious home has been extended and adapted to suit the requirements of the institution and includes a chapel. The grounds are extensive and there is an asphalt tennis court available for the children.

The property includes 23 acres of land which will eventually be farmed and will help to make the school self-supporting. There is a large orchard and ample scope for outside activities. The homestead contained originally 13 rooms, but, as stated, has been considerably enlarged.

Lip-reading and speech are the fundamental subjects which the pupils must learn and in the latter subject the hearing aids play a great part. Few, if any, of the children have any vocabulary when they enter the school, but it is surprising how quickly they learn to enunciate by lip-reading and listening to sound vibrations. Furthermore, they are quick to detect the difference between silent and sound films.

The school is serving a fine purpose and is one welcomed by both parents and the children themselves who, without the understanding and concentrated tuition afforded them, would make little progress in education and in overcoming their handicaps.