When Reuben first arrived at CBC in Reception, he was shy and uncertain, with only a few basic words for communication. Today, he walks confidently through the Junior Campus, smiling, laughing, signing with friends and the staff who have all grown with him on his journey.
As an infant, Reuben was diagnosed with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss, which progressed to profound by the time he was 12 months old.
‘Starting school was a big step for Reuben – and also for us as a family,’ his mum, Tanya, shares. ‘We chose CBC as we wanted to continue a family tradition, and our eldest son, Eton was really happy here. His father, Steven, agreed and added, ‘CBC made us feel supported from the very beginning. They didn’t just accommodate Reuben, they embraced him.’
From the moment he joined CBC, the community has embraced both Reuben and Auslan as a shared language. Auslan was introduced at every opportunity, including through staff training, classroom prayer, weekly newsletters, assemblies and concerts, making it a part of the culture. In the classroom, Reuben is supported by his Auslan interpreter, Koiranah Jacob, but his peers have also taken an active role in supporting his learning and communication. Many boys in his class now confidently sign with him, thanks to the strong relationships they’ve built together over the years.
Reuben’s teacher, Courtnie Costa, a passionate educator who has been learning Auslan in her own time, describes him as ‘fun, energetic and incredibly resilient’. A strong visual learner, Reuben thrives with hands-on activities like drawing, reading and maths. ‘He always gives his best effort, and he brings so much joy to the classroom,’ she beams. ‘CBC is big on inclusion, something that has been very apparent since I’ve started.’
Reuben, now in Year 3, says he loves coming to school where he’s known for his cheeky grin, love of sport, and deep affection for his friends and family. ‘My favourite things to do are soccer, basketball, football, chess and signing,’ he shares. He also has a lot of friends, including his older brother, Eton, with whom he has a wonderful connection.
‘Yep, we are good friends,’ Reuben says proudly. ‘He is in Year 7, he plays chess and wins a lot. We like to play games on the console and play soccer together.’
Reuben’s progress with finger spelling, reading and writing has been remarkable. He confidently shares stories and ideas in Auslan. ‘The growth we’ve seen in him, both socially and academically, has been incredible. He is so proud to be able to do the same things as other children are doing in class,’ says Steven.
‘The school’s ethos that God loves us regardless of our differences, is a belief that shapes how the school treats every child – with compassion, respect, and love – no matter what country they come from, what language they speak, or what religion they follow’, explains Tanya. ‘Even though the school achieves excellent academic results, it’s having that heart and compassion at the core of everything that truly makes a difference to a child’s happiness and overall wellbeing. It’s the best we could have hoped for.’
Reuben may have started his school journey quietly, but today, he is seen, celebrated and understood – in every sense of the word.
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