BOOM PAH! (For those who don't know sign language gloss: Impact Successful!)

Goosebumps spread across our arms as we observed our deaf students connect with each other, grow more confident, share their stories and aspirations, discover Deafhood, explore their deaf identity, cultures, community, their rights, and gain inspiration from various Deaf leaders. Many of them have gone on to advocate for their deaf community, like Hope Cotton with her captioning standards petition and Noelani, teaching NZSL to various ski groups in the South Island.

Since Term 4, 2021, we have run Virtual Deaf Space every term. As the name suggests, this is an online weekly gathering via Zoom for deaf high school students across Aotearoa. So far 19 deaf students, enrolled at both Ko Taku Reo and mainstream schools, have joined us to start this exciting journey. Together we explored Deaf identity, culture, Deafhood, Deaf gain, advocacy, and Deaf spaces. Time and time again, the students requested a face-to-face get together so there was much excitement when we announced a four day Immersion Hui at the end of Term 2!

On Tuesday 5 July, 9 deaf students came together to connect in person at our stunning Sumner campus in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. We were joined by Nirvana Graham (Teacher of the Deaf at Hillmorton High School Provision) and warmly welcomed with a Mihi Whakatau led by Cha'nel Kaa-Luke (Kaitakawaenga Turi Māori) and Kathie Rifle (Māori Strategic Lead).

Over the course of the week, students exchanged their identities and others' perceptions of them and compared Deaf culture with other cultures. They toured the Sumner campus and the museum to learn more about local Deaf History. We also did a range of collaborative activities like Bus Stop Queue, creating a Deaf History timeline in Padlet then doing an impromptu performance set in a Deaf classroom – in 1881 and 2022! – which the students thoroughly enjoyed. Fun evenings included 10 pin bowling, laser tag, Deaf games at Christchurch Deaf Club and more games back at the onsite residences.

Before we all went our separate ways, the students gave a moving farewell speech of gratitude to the residential staff, interpreters, teachers and everyone involved. Here's what they said about their experiences...

I had never met Deaf adults – the Deaf leaders are so cool. Looking forward, I will advocate for myself and other deaf people. The experience has given me the confidence to ask for what I need.
Hope, Year 13

I learned that others share my struggles with being deaf. Now, I have a more positive outlook and want to make New Zealand more deaf friendly. I want to learn more NZSL and be fluent to sign with other deaf people.
Riley, Year 10

I learned more about Deaf culture, Deafhood. I want to learn more about that in the future as I want to become a Deaf teacher to teach NZSL and the same things we're doing now. With my family, I have not been sharing who I am, I share my Pasifika culture but not me as a Deaf person. I was nervous about meeting other Deaf people like Thora and Angela, but my mother told me you don't give up but find yourself, so I gave myself time. Now I am enjoying it.
Molini, Year 12

I didn't know much about Deaf culture, Deafhood, Deaf identity, but now I've learned more. I like attending Immersion courses; we get inspired, connect with different people and open up to them. I now know who I am.
Anahera, Year 12

It was nice talking about Deaf culture, Deafhood and everything like that. I'm the only Deaf person at school, so I can't talk about things like that. I think it's important to me to communicate with Deaf people about the Deafhood journey, life and everything like that because hearing people wouldn't relate to that, so I can express myself and communicate in NZSL. I felt alone in the journey because I'm surrounded by hearing people. It's nice to connect with Deaf people here. Deaf or hard of hearing communicate in NZSL and have conversations where I don't miss anything.
Lucy, Year 11