The following work has not been edited to maintain the authenticity of our learner's voice.

Kia ora everyone,

My name is Brooklyn. I'm a student here, and I have been here for 7 years, 5 months and 22 days. I've been here from 2017-2024.

I've had my ups and downs in the village. Good and bad times. But it's been amazing, and I have learned a lot amongst all those positives and negatives. That's part of who I am now.

I want to thank all the staff here for supporting me. That includes staff who have left and those who have passed away. Thank you all.

I've learned a lot from my mistakes here. Before I moved here, my life was bad. It wasn't nice. But moving here has had a huge impact on me. There's a Deaf community here, Deaf staff, Deaf students of a similar age to me, as well as older and younger. It's been so fun socialising with them. That's definitely one of my favourite things I'll remember. Hanging around with other Deaf students. We can communicate with each other because there are no barriers here.

I want to acknowledge someone who passed away last year, Mary Tamatea. She was an amazing woman. She was a Deaf Māori woman. She really believed in me, gave me faith and encouraged me with my journey. I'll never forget her.

I want to acknowledge two other staff, Eric and Carol; they are both Māori staff and both amazing and cool. Firstly to Eric, thanks for supporting me and helping me be part of the Māori Deaf community. Before that, I just kept to myself and was unsure what to do with my life. I wasn't sure what was next. I never fear what the next day holds, like in life after the village. So thank you to Eric.

And Carol, wow, she's a tough woman. She has taught me a lot. She's taught me how to toughen up. She's an amazing woman. Thank you Carol for supporting me through my hard times last year. Last year on the 11th February, my world was turned upside down. But she made sure my friends attended my sister's funeral and supported me.

When I returned to the village, I felt relieved because the students knew I'd had a hard time. When I got back here, the students were so respectful, smiling, and positive, and I liked that. So thank you again.

I want to say thank you to God for giving me faith. Lord is the strongest I've ever known. I can feel his blessings and support throughout my journey, both hard times and good times.

I have decided to leave this year. I was considering leaving in previous years, but I wasn't ready; God knew I wasn't ready. God knew I didn't yet have a plan for when I left. But now I have a plan for next year.

Oh also, my homies, through everything, really from 2018. I've really found my homies. Through intermediate and high school, through the village and home, everywhere, they're always around. They've always got my back, and I've always got theirs. I hope after I leave here, I can keep in touch with the students and staff. I'll come back for a visit one day.