Some of our young people are ending their chapter with us and starting new and exciting chapters in 2023.

It has been another challenging year with Covid disruptions, but we've all adapted well to 'the new normal'.

Over the year, all the students participated in different social activities during the week and weekends, like Ten Pin Bowling, Rainbow End, swimming, Escape Master, Laser Tag, Movies, walking, Ice Skating and trips to the museum and the Mormon Temple.

Throughout the week the students enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including jigsaw puzzles, pool competitions, card games, basketball and shooting hoops. After dinner we often play the card game 'Spoons' which everyone really enjoys.

Brooklyn is famous for his enthusiasm for chess. He is open to any challenge with students, staff and even the odd parent. He plays with focus and doesn’t miss a beat!

One of our younger students, Callan, played Rugby League in the winter season for New Lynn Stag. He played well and practices tackles with the older boys here at the residence. Staff often had to remind them to play outside, not in the hallway or the lounge! Callan is also a very talented bowler and plays cricket for Kelston Boys High School.

It is that time of the year when we prepare for a big cleanup, pack our bags and head home for a well-deserved break with our whānau and loved ones.

Highlights in the Residence

The residence students had fun being creative with their make-up and costumes this Halloween.

Reid Johnson received a trophy for completing his full-time Hospitality Academy Course in 2023, congratulations Reid.

We are farewelling five students from the Residence at the end of the year: Rahui Lee, Mohi King Whakaue, Mercedies De Melmanche, Wiremu Aremete, and Reid Johnson. We wish them all the very best in their journey, and may they all achieve success and positivity in their lives! Haere rā, you will be missed.

To all our residence students returning in 2023, mā te wā - we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

Goodbye messages

Reid Johnson

I loved staying here, making new friends, seeing old friends and learning new sign language. I enjoyed doing my Hospitality Course at Massey High School - it was fun. Every Friday we went in a school van to the city at cheffing school NZME. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of my community as a deaf person. I won a silver medal at Wintec Culinary Competition in Hamilton!

To those leaving this year, haere rā, we will miss every one of you.

Mercedies de Malmanche

See ya laters!!! Nah, I'm joking, hahaha, but for real, I don't want to say bye, but I want to say thank you for the past three years in the village. Giving thanks to all the village staff and sorry for being an egg. I remember when I first arrived at the village, I was completely clueless on what everyone was saying. I had to ask students and staff who could hear to help me understand what they were saying. I love the students; everyone is funny and fun to hang out and talk with; I'll miss it. Going to be boring back home, but oh well, lol. I had my ups and down here in this village, but I am grateful for the staff who helped and cared for me. I miss the good and fun times here, laughs, jokes, and games. I'll miss everyone and this village. Being here for three years is still shocking to me; time has gone so fast, but I am ready to go back home, work with kids and live my life at home. Take care of the Rūaumoko Marae, please. Once again thank you, love you all!! RASTA-VIBE!!

Rahui
I've stayed here for 4 years as this is my 4th year - I started in 2019. My first visit was in 2018 when I came to Totara Village to stay a few nights. I visited Kelston Boys High School and Tū Kōkiri to look around. After that I decided to move here from my home and stay in the village without my family. It was nice to be independent but I went home to see family for holidays and some weekends. In 2019, I was too shy to communicate and didn't socialise with students and staff. At that time, I always went into my room and played online for many months, but months later, I got involved face-to-face in the village and Deaf community.

I was supported and encouraged by many people, such as staff, students, and others. I felt very much improved, and I felt happy. In 2020-2022, I had a good and bad time; some days were boring, and some days I had fun. Til now, I often got involved in deaf communities, deaf clubs, deaf workshops, deaf meetings, deaf youth, deaf events, AUT, Tū Kōkiri, Kelston Boys High School deaf unit, Kelston Provision School work experience, and deaf sports. That's how people who work and live in the village have changed my life by focusing on me to get better and better. I have realised that is why they taught me how to be responsible and capable of anything before becoming an adult in the future.

Throughout, I always took a lot of leadership roles, such as MC (Master of Ceremonies), presenter, teacher aide as a work experience, announcer, manager, kaikōrero, and committee. I enjoy being a leader and a role model to everyone. I'm so grateful and lucky to live in a good boarding school for the Deaf. I love it. Sadly, I will be leaving here as a student, but I might be able to work here in KPS, NZSL Tutor under Ko Taku Reo, or do something else. Maybe I'll see you next year. Thank you, everyone; I will miss you all. Love you all.