Kia ora koutou katoa and big handwaves to you all from the Outreach School.

It's been a year of massive adjustment for students who are Deaf and hard of hearing all around the country. We started the year once again under Covid-restrictions, delivering our Outreach programmes and support to students remotely.

As restrictions eased, some schools were slow to regain confidence with the presence of our Resource Teachers of the Deaf in classrooms due to lingering concerns about Covid-19. This was particularly so in areas where infection rates were high and schools were facing ongoing challenges fully returning to in-person learning. Thank goodness that period is over now!

Returning to school has been a positive experience for our students overall, but of course it's not without its challenges. Moving from remote learning in a home environment to being alongside your peers a classroom is a significant transition. For some, there are challenges in overcoming a noisy environment and effectively using audiological devices. For others, it has been challenging making new friends and figuring out the complex rules of the playground.

The second half of this year has seen an influx of students returning to their mainstream schools and the restarting of Keep in Touch (KIT) Days, Day School, and Language Days in many areas. These initiatives are a highlight for many students as they renew connections and a sense of belonging with each other.

Over the year there's been an increase in students receiving our services nationwide. In Term 4, there were 140 more students receiving services than in Term 1. Of those, 50 students are receiving direct services. In total, we currently have 953 students receiving direct services in Term 4, and a steady increase in the number of ORS (Ongoing Resourcing Scheme) verified students.

As a leadership team, we've been focussed on embedding improved practices and pedagogy that will result in children having the skills and attributes required for a modern and constantly changing world. We're proud of our progress in becoming more cohesive with a broader sharing of expertise and resources nationally.

A significant factor in your child's learning success, and helping them feel secure at school, is whānau support and we want to thank you for your partnership with us in your child's learning journey. Thank you for contributing to the process of developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with meaningful goals for your child. If at any stage you have any concerns about challenges they are facing, please call or message their RTD in the first instance.

As 2022 draws to a close, through the stories in this Yearbook we are celebrating the many and varied ways that our Outreach students have achieved personal success - whether it's making a new friend, learning new spelling words, reading a new book, or being nominated as the class monitor for the week.

As a nationwide Outreach Team we send our very best wishes of the season to you and your whānau, and we look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year.

Ngā mihi nui.