Miss-Delectable
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Kokoda trick | Herald Sun
THE snakes and leeches are a concern, but the biggest challenge these 11 deaf students face when they walk the Kokoda Track will be communication.
The students won't hear warnings about creepy crawlies, falling trees or slippery bridges from the three staff who accompany them.
"Normally, with hiking, people walk in line and they chat to each other as they walk," Victorian College for the Deaf teacher Andrew Welshe says.
"Deaf people can't do that, they have to turn around to talk. Maybe the kids can walk in pairs, but that's risky, they might get hit in the head with a branch."
Welshe, himself deaf, relies on fellow teacher and intrepid trekker Angela Maclean to translate for the interview. Maclean says she is worried about the log bridges.
"You can't sign while you are walking on those," she says.
"A hearing person can say, 'I think I'm slipping', but a deaf person can't do that."
Frequent briefings are needed and at night the students will use head torches to see each other signing.
Despite the obstacles, the students have embraced the training, walking down St Kilda Rd three mornings a week and hiking in the Dandenongs at weekends.
"I'm excited. It's my first trip overseas. I'm scared as well," year-10 student David Grant, 16, says.
"I know it's going to be a good experience, one of the best experiences of my life."
Year-10 student Janette Emini, 16, is enjoying getting fit.
"It will be interesting to see what the Kokoda Track is like and experience the outdoors."
Year-11 student James Vea, 17, looks forward to more training.
"We're staying focused and we're going to achieve our goal."
It's this kind of determination that got the project off the ground.
Maclean says the college's principal was gobsmacked when she suggested the trip.
"She said, 'First of all I don't think you'll be able to raise the money, and second I don't think their parents will let them go'," Maclean recalls.
But within two weeks they had raised $15,000 and won approval from all the parents.
However, challenges abound before the students take off for the 96km trek, from October 17 to 29.
"We've had a few bad days, we have to admit," Maclean says.
"One student is a boarder from Queensland and getting his passport organised was difficult.
"But the students have learnt how to organise fundraising, and speaking to people about the trip has developed their confidence."
The school has raised $42,000, but needs a further $15,000.
Walshe says the trip is a natural fit with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards.
Their preparation has covered numeracy, literacy, history, the environment, language, science, geography and fitness and health, inside and outside the classroom.
"Any kids, but deaf kids especially, learn better from a hands-on experience," Walshe says.
He hopes the students become role models for other students.
THE snakes and leeches are a concern, but the biggest challenge these 11 deaf students face when they walk the Kokoda Track will be communication.
The students won't hear warnings about creepy crawlies, falling trees or slippery bridges from the three staff who accompany them.
"Normally, with hiking, people walk in line and they chat to each other as they walk," Victorian College for the Deaf teacher Andrew Welshe says.
"Deaf people can't do that, they have to turn around to talk. Maybe the kids can walk in pairs, but that's risky, they might get hit in the head with a branch."
Welshe, himself deaf, relies on fellow teacher and intrepid trekker Angela Maclean to translate for the interview. Maclean says she is worried about the log bridges.
"You can't sign while you are walking on those," she says.
"A hearing person can say, 'I think I'm slipping', but a deaf person can't do that."
Frequent briefings are needed and at night the students will use head torches to see each other signing.
Despite the obstacles, the students have embraced the training, walking down St Kilda Rd three mornings a week and hiking in the Dandenongs at weekends.
"I'm excited. It's my first trip overseas. I'm scared as well," year-10 student David Grant, 16, says.
"I know it's going to be a good experience, one of the best experiences of my life."
Year-10 student Janette Emini, 16, is enjoying getting fit.
"It will be interesting to see what the Kokoda Track is like and experience the outdoors."
Year-11 student James Vea, 17, looks forward to more training.
"We're staying focused and we're going to achieve our goal."
It's this kind of determination that got the project off the ground.
Maclean says the college's principal was gobsmacked when she suggested the trip.
"She said, 'First of all I don't think you'll be able to raise the money, and second I don't think their parents will let them go'," Maclean recalls.
But within two weeks they had raised $15,000 and won approval from all the parents.
However, challenges abound before the students take off for the 96km trek, from October 17 to 29.
"We've had a few bad days, we have to admit," Maclean says.
"One student is a boarder from Queensland and getting his passport organised was difficult.
"But the students have learnt how to organise fundraising, and speaking to people about the trip has developed their confidence."
The school has raised $42,000, but needs a further $15,000.
Walshe says the trip is a natural fit with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards.
Their preparation has covered numeracy, literacy, history, the environment, language, science, geography and fitness and health, inside and outside the classroom.
"Any kids, but deaf kids especially, learn better from a hands-on experience," Walshe says.
He hopes the students become role models for other students.