News

Learning to speak with our hands

By Christine McKee

Jun 17, 2026

New languages teacher, Tracy Richardson will focus on teaching Auslan at Sacred Heart Primary School. Pictured here with her husbandJake and children, Bailey and Codi.

There’s a new language being taught at Sacred Heart Primary School, and this time it isn’t French, Italian, German or Indonesian, it’s Auslan, the Australian Sign Language.

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The school has welcomed new languages teacher, Tracy Richardson to their community and as part of a commitment to rich, inclusive and engaging learning opportunities, Mrs Richardson will focus on teaching Auslan.

Students have previously enjoyed learning Italian, and the school is excited to introduce Auslan as an opportunity for students to develop a new form of communication and deepen their understanding of inclusion, diversity and connection.

Learning Auslan supports communication skills, strengthens visual awareness, develops empathy and appreciation of the experiences of people who are Deaf or hearing impaired.

Auslan is seen as a wonderful was for students to learn that communication comes in many forms and that every person deserves to be heard, valued and included.

Mrs Richardson brings enthusiasm and a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences for children.

She has been warmly welcomed to the Sacred Heart community along with her children, Codi and Bailey, and her husband Jake.