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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
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1968
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Deaf children enjoy a car rally

Children from Sumner School for the Deaf test their navigational abilities in a car rally at Sumner.
Television New Zealand Archive
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.
2017
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 2017

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
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.
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Susan Thomas (1998)

Susan, born as the only deaf person in a hearing family, talks about the dialect differences in sign between the South Island and the North Island, oralism, moving cities, participating in the Trans-Tasman Games, and meeting her husband, Paul.
AUT Visual Languages Section
2014
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian

A modern tale of two deaf children

Deaf pupil Rahui Lee, 11, leads the year 7 and 8 class in a sign language game of mastermind, in which pupils have to guess a mystery four-digit number by signing.
1993
article – Taonga source: The Press

Cash-strapped deaf school axes jobs

Twenty-three of the 39 residential care staff at van Asch College were made redundant yesterday as a result of Government funding cuts last year.
1996
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1996

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1994
article – Taonga source: City Voice

In the mainstream

Theresa Newson and Maria Griffiths are completely deaf. They are also students at St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie. Their mothers looked at several schools in the Wellington region because they wanted their daughters to stay at home rather than go to Van Asch.
1986
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Hostel News: van Asch College, 1986

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
2002
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

In full voice

This fascinating book provides insight into a community about which most people are unaware. This is the world of Deaf culture, of Deaf as an identity, not a disability or deficit – Deaf with a capital D.
2018
article – Taonga source: Stuff

Report reveals uncertainty of future of deaf education

Serious inadequacies of a deaf education board serving thousands of children are being addressed by senior Ministry of Education officials. The ministry confirmed four complaints had been laid about student safety, staffing and low achievement at Auckland's Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
Stuff
2015
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Ash Deaf Education Centre, 2015

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
2018
video – Taonga source: Darryl Alexander

The Making of an NZSL Friendly School

The Making of a NZSL Friendly School follows Andre, who began as a new entrant at the school in 2016, and the journey of his teachers, classmates and wider school community in learning NZSL and incorporating it into school curriculum.
Darryl Alexander
2012
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: March 2012

Oticon Foundation
1992
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

School Magazine: van Asch College, 1992

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1998
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Magazine: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1998

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Summer 1998

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1999
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1999

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1987
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch College, 1987

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
2016
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 2016

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: July 1995

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Medals eyed in 3 events

Four New Zealand deaf athletes are favoured to win medals in swimming, cycling, and badminton. The 112-strong New Zealand team will compete in 11 of the 12 sports.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Janet Watt
  • Terry Kane
  • Michael Lynch
  • Kevin Pivac
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
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
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
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee

The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Christmas 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2003
article – Taonga source: Bay Harbour News

Patty Still – active role model for deaf community

In late July, Woolston grandmother Noeline 'Patty' Still joined a special group of New Zealanders in Wellington for the official presentation of the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours medals. Patty was there to receive her MNZM for her services to the deaf community.