Hearing Unit Newsletter Term 4

Yarra Valley Grammar Hearing Unit Newsletter www.yvg.vic.edu.au

Telephone: +61 3 9262 7700

Facsimile: + 61 3 9876 1077

Term 4

Email: reception@yvg.vic.edu.au

December 2019

Sammi Merritt’s steampunk art, currently on display in Mrs Hall’s office.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: FROM THE HEARING UNIT ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 SPEECH SPOT ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3 HEARING UNIT CITIZENSHIP AWARD.......................................................................................................................................... 4 SENIOR SCHOOL AWARDS ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 OUR JUNIOR SCHOOL HEARING UNIT TEAM 2019. ..................................................................................................................... 4 YEAR 12 CELEBRATION DAY ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 PREP ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 YEAR 7 2020 ORIENTATION DAY .............................................................................................................................................. 10 YEAR 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 JUNIOR PRIMARY .................................................................................................................................................................... 12 YEAR 7 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 YEAR 9 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 YEAR 11 .................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 HEARING UNIT PARENT DINNER .............................................................................................................................................. 15 YEAR 2 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 YEAR 5 2020 ..................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

FROM THE HEARING UNIT Every year we say, ‘Where has the time gone?’ Well we see where the time has gone… We see it in the learning and growth of the students, we see it in the maturity of their voices and we see it in the values they show us. “Life and time are the two best teachers, life teaches us to make good use of time and time teaches us the value of life.”

As we come to the end of 2019, today our Year 12 students received their results and what fantastic results they were. It has certainly been a big year for both of them and we are immensely proud of their efforts. We wish them every happiness for the next journey of their lives.

On Tuesday, 29th October, all the Junior School Hearing Unit students headed to Doncaster Athletics track to compete and participate in the 2019 Primary Deaf Sports Day. All students participated in a running race and then the Prep-2 students headed off for their fun circuit based rotations, while the 3-6 students commenced their track competitions. This day is a fantastic opportunity for Hearing Unit students, parents and staff to connect with other Deaf and hard of hearing staff, parents and students from across Victoria. We were so proud of all the students and as always, they all tried their best.

The Power of Speech event celebrates the remarkable outcomes possible for cochlear implant recipients and is part of First Voice’s world-leading early intervention programs for children with hearing loss. Six speakers from across Australia and New Zealand were invited to speak at the event to help challenge common perceptions about hearing loss and what people with hearing loss can achieve. This year, the six speakers chosen, were inspiring children with hearing loss. Our very own Gaurvi Singh was invited to speak at the event in Canberra. Gaurvi took the floor at Parliament House and addressed some of Australia’s most powerful politicians. The participants presented a short speech to key policymakers around the topic ‘My Hearing Future’, demonstrating how early intervention support and cochlear implants have been helping these children reach their full potential. We are extremely proud of Gaurvi for the ‘confidence to achieve’ she displayed at such a prestigious event.

The final Middle School Assembly saw Remington Hobday and Abbey Gartlan receive a Bronze Service to School Award and the Senior School Presentation evening saw Emily Baulch received a Platinum Service to School Award.

The Service to School awards are a reflection of the commitment that these students have to the school. At the Senior School Presentation evening, Adem Goktepe received an Academic Award for the dedication he has given to his studies this year.

Emily Baulch also received The Hearing Unit Citizenship Award. The citizenship award is granted to a Hearing Unit student who in the view of the teachers has demonstrated a willingness to serve others and be an excellent role model to other Hearing Unit students and their peers. Emily is an excellent leader within the school and an active contributor in Community Links, Music, Sport and Drama. This involvement gave her personal satisfaction from giving back to the school. Emily is also an excellent role model for the younger Hearing Unit students, readily engaging in conversation with them and displaying an interest in their experiences.

We held the Hearing Unit Dinner this term in the Brooke Nicholas Pavilion. This is always a wonderful event where parents, executive, trustees, staff and graduating students come together to celebrate the past year. One of our Year 12 students, Nelson, spoke about how he benefited from the support of the Hearing Unit. The video reflected on past photos of the graduating students and the 2019 year. We welcomed our new Hearing Unit families for 2020 and they appreciated the opportunity to connect and get to know the other parents. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the Hearing Unit and all the highlights of the year.

We are so proud of the all the students and their achievements this year. I would like to thank the staff for their constant commitment, energy, enthusiasm and dedication. On behalf of the team, I would like to wish you all a safe, relaxing and happy holiday.

Ms Rachel Wilson Head of the Hearing Unit

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SPEECH SPOT When I “use my eyes to think” and make a “smart guess”, I’m pretty confident that my wonderful HU students love Christmas!

But what EXACTLY, do they think about Christmas – I can’t read their mind so I had to ask some of them to find out!

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a safe and joyful break!

Mrs Anneke Flinn Speech Pathologist

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HEARING UNIT CITIZENSHIP AWARD In a special assembly on Monday 2nd December, Emily Baulch was presented with the Hearing Unit Citizenship Award for 2019 by Dr Merry. Emily is a very deserving recipient, being recognised for all of her contributions to the School community and as an excellent role model to our Junior School Hearing Unit students. We congratulate Emily on this award.

SENIOR SCHOOL AWARDS Congratulations to Adem Goktepe on receiving an Academic Award at the Senior School Presentation afternoon on Wednesday 4th December 2019.

We also offer congratulations to Emily Baulch on receiving a Platinum Service to School award at the Senior School Presentation afternoon.

Congratulations to Remington Hobday and Abbey Gartlan who were awarded a Bronze Service to School award in a special Middle School assembly.

OUR JUNIOR SCHOOL HEARING UNIT TEAM 2019.

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YEAR 12 CELEBRATION DAY Our Year 12s celebrated the end of their studies on Friday 18th October. We didn’t recognised Josh and Nelson who were well disguised in their costumes. Both boys thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations before they headed home to begin preparations for their all important final VCE exams.

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PRIMARY DEAF SPORTS DAY

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PRIMARY DEAF SPORTS DAY continued…

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YEAR 6 Being a part of the Hearing Unit A reflection by Year 6 students

The most awesome thing about Prep Orientation was finding out there were four kids also with a hearing loss in our class. Ben, Lochie, Hamish and Gabe made the original Hearing Unit gang. Ms De Zwart was our first teacher and she helped us to learn about our listening devices and how to survive school.

The Hearing Unit does so many things for us. Our teachers and Anneke help deaf kids with their speech, writing, maths, listening and devices. In HU sessions we do so many different things like play games, cook, make things, practice our writing and speech, learn about friendships and leadership. We also learn how to look after our hearing devices and make sure we hear what we need to.

Every year we also have special activities. The Deaf Sport’s Day is an amazing day when many deaf kids across Victoria come together. We compete in different track and field events. We make new deaf friends every year we go and we get to see old friends.

We also go to the Senior Hearing Unit a few times each term. We meet with Rebekah, our Australian Hearing Audiologist and we have morning teas with the senior Hearing Unit Kids. A highlight is going up for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Mmmmmmm chocolate!

Ben: I love going up to the Senior Hearing Unit and having fun with all of the other deaf kids in the school.

Gabe: I appreciate the constant and unwavering support that I have received during my time in Junior School.

Lochie: I love going to the deaf sports day and having fun hanging out with my old friends from kindergarten.

Hamish: I love the end of the year because we make food and Mrs Fitz plays cheesy videos clips.

Being deaf has lots of negatives but also some positives. Being part of the Hearing Unit makes us feel special and like we belong. We also get help for exactly what we need. Our Hearing Unit teachers are there just for us!

By Hamish Dickins and Ben Baulch

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PREP

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YEAR 7 2020 ORIENTATION DAY Our Year 6s joined approximately 170 new friends for the Year 7 2020 Orientation Day.

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YEAR 1 RECOUNT OF POWER OF SPEECH PRESENTATION by GAUVI SINGH My Family went to Taralye on Friday so I could practise my speech there. On Sunday I went to Canberra it took 6 hour drive. Once I got to the hotel, we unpacked our stuff. Next we changed our clothes then we did some things we don’t do normally about midnight. Me and my brother games with my mirror. I was reflecting some light and my brother was trying to catch it. We got sleepy in the middle of our game so we decided to play the other half tomorrow but, before I went to sleep I read 2 books to my brother and me.

The next day we got up pretty late in the morning. Then we went down to Level 1 in the hotel. We had a breakfast on the restaurant on Level 1. I had pancakes with chocolate syrup on top. My brother had plain pancakes. My mum had some coffee and some bread and butter. So did my dad. After that we changed our clothes because we had a meeting with other kids who was doing their speech.

I made 4 friends there. One of their names was Annie who looked like Amelia in my year level. Another one was Hannah who liked Macy in my year level too. There was one more I remember called Ethan (but you pronounce it like ‘even’).

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JUNIOR PRIMARY

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YEAR 7 The Year 7s have had a busy term with their Drama performance evening, Ancient Civilisations Day, Humanities model projects, IT sessions, robotics and tests.

Sammi’s pyramid of Khufu model.

Remington’s model of the Colosseum

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YEAR 9

Year 9 Biology

YEAR 11

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HEARING UNIT PARENT DINNER

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YEAR 2

Year 2

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