reset filter
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

Demolition at van Asch, 1980

Footage of the demolition of the ‘Main Building’ of van Asch College, April 1980.
Sue Penman
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Jean Monk

Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.
Dorothy Jones
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Centenary Flag: van Asch College 1880-1980

Auckland Deaf Society
1955
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand

National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – 75th Jubilee

The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to report on progress in the education of deaf children and to check out the school's 75th Jubilee celebrations.
Archives New Zealand
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1947
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand

National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – Student life

The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to film a typical day at the school.
Archives New Zealand
1988
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

van Asch students learn street theatre skills from Mr Moon

After Mr Moon has been teaching Van Asch Deaf Education Centre Deaf students street theatre skills, they watch a performance from the Montreal Street Theatre at the New Zealand Festival in Wellington, in preparation for staging their own live performance.
Television New Zealand Archive
1984
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

You and Your Child – Deaf edition

'You and Your Child' programme focuses on Deaf children, education and language and interview some parents about their Deaf children.
Television New Zealand Archive
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

The Silent Olympics

The team of 17 deaf athletes are farewelled at Kelston School for the Deaf, with official team photos, before leaving for the 10th International Games for the Deaf at Washington D.C.
Pam Witko
The National Film Unit
The National Film Unit
The National Film Unit
1941-1971
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

The National Film Unit

From 1941 to 1950, the National Film Unit produced the Weekly Review and from 1952 to 1971, the Pictorial Parade. Government owned, the Unit’s work included visits to schools to show the country positive stories about the future of New Zealand and the good work that was being done. This included visits to Sumner and St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: June 1992

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1980
article – Taonga source: Education News

“Deaf kids aren’t dumb you know?” 100 Years of Education for the Deaf

Van Asch College, as it will now be known, is no longer a school exclusively for the deaf.
1979
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: September 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney

Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1980
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Sumner School for the Deaf celebrates its centenary (100th)

Members of the Deaf community and their families attend the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf.
Dennis Tod
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: June 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Greg Pateman

Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!
AUT Visual Languages Section
1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Board of trustees accepts extra challenges at school for deaf

Board member Ava Buzzard, who has been deaf since birth, is excited by the chance to have a greater role in a school she has been involved with for many years.
1993
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Van Asch parents upset at idea of role change

The deaf community in Christchurch is appealing for van Asch College to remain a special school for deaf children, after some parents in Sumner and Redcliffs have suggested it become a secondary school.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 7, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1970
article – Taonga source: The Times.

Problem that too often falls on ‘deaf ears’…

In Hamilton, there are four deaf units, three at Hamilton West and one at Melville Intermediate. Next year there is going to be a deaf unit at Melville High School.
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of John McRae

John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Hilda Tamepo
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Patreena Bryan
  • John Mansell
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED

Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1990
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Team wins at contest just by taking part

The four skipped by Margaret Coutts lost both matches at the national women's bowls tournament in Wellington yesterday. But they didn't mind.
1986
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Easter 1986 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton