Exploring the invaluable photos of the Deaf students in the historic photo album
The photo album, a precious gift from Joyce, a former Deaf student, has allowed me (Jean, a Deaf historian and researcher) to scan and review photos for the significant reunion of Titirangi and Mount Wellington School for the Deaf in October 2025. Joyce, despite her disabilities, including being deafblind, was determined to share her memories with us.
The schools, Titirangi and Mount Wellington School for the Deaf, boast a unique and rich history. ‘Hotel Titirangi’, a former hotel, was converted into school premises and purchased by the Department of Education in 1942. The school welcomed over 60 students in September 1942, under the leadership of Mr H. Pickering, who also served as the principal of the South Island school in Sumner, Christchurch.’ https://apodc.org.nz/about/
The Hotel Titirangi, a place of rich history, has stories to share from the past to the present. Operating from 1929 to 1942, it was transformed into Lopdell House in 1960, in honour of Frank Lopdell, a significant figure in the history of Deaf education. The building, a living testament to its past, stands proudly today, inviting us to uncover its unique history —a history deeply intertwined with the Deaf community and the evolution of Deaf education.
https://lopdellprecinct.org.nz/our-history
It’s crucial to understand the significance of the reunions at Titirangi and Mount Wellington School for the Deaf, as such events were rare in the past. Unlike the Kelston School for the Deaf (now called Ko Taku Reo – Deaf Education New Zealand, a result of the merger between Van Asch and Kelston School), which regularly held reunions, these two schools had not experienced such gatherings until recently. https://www.kotakureo.school.nz/about-us/our-history
The other possible ideas that may have taken place in place of the 50th and 60th year reunions at the Ko Taku Reo. I have obtained the largest reunion photos that took place at Kelston School for the Deaf from the Late Wood Brothers.
Today, the number of former Deaf students is dwindling, with only approximately 50 or fewer remaining. In Waikato, there are approximately nine living Deaf seniors, with nine seniors having passed away. This underscores the urgency to preserve and share their unique history.
Looking at the photos by Joyce, there were no signs of sign language when communicating with their Deaf friends. The students were forced to use oral without understanding sign language by the Ministry of Education in the past. You can understand why there was no sign language before the 1800s and 1920s, given the limited education available at the time. A sign language ban was imposed worldwide following the 1880 Milan Conference in Italy, a significant event in the history of Deaf education. See the quote from the Deaf History link – ‘The Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf was (despite the name) the first international conference of deaf educators held in Milan, Italy in 1880. It is commonly known as “the Milan Conference”.’
After deliberations from September 6 to 11, 1880, the conference declared that oral education (oralism) was superior to manual education and passed a resolution banning the use of sign language in school.” https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1880
Yes, horror; however, many Deaf seniors have no idea about sign language when leaving school until they join the Deaf Society, where they notice someone signing to a friend. The Deaf seniors have their own unique sign language, which is a rich and complex language system, unlike Makaton (an augmentative and alternative communication system which uses signs and symbols alongside speech & written words to support communication. Despite its use of signs, Makaton is not a sign language.) and similar to a body language way of communicating today.
From Parents’ Day, Sports Day, the Fancy Dress event, to the Christmas Party, the photos capture moments of joy, fun, and friendship. The students, their teachers, and the Deaf Society members come alive in these images, allowing us to relive the past and feel a sense of nostalgia for the simpler, more carefree times in the Deaf community.
I will continue to explore more areas in the background of Titirangi School for the Deaf, Mount Wellington School for the Deaf and from the past Deaf seniors (students) in the meantime.
A reunion is scheduled at Lopdell House on October 1, 2025, to commemorate the past Deaf students and their families, marking the last time they will gather together.
