Across Aotearoa, Ko Taku Reo staff have organised and put on over 50 amazing Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) experiences for over 300 Ko Taku Reo students to attend so far this year!

In Term One, teams organised EOTC events with a focus on connecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with each other, Resource Teachers of the Deaf, and local community members. Keeping In Touch (KIT) Days during this warm, summery term supported these connections to occur through team building tasks like group scavenger hunts, or shared activities like visiting the zoo. The feedback we received about these events was heart-warming, with Resource Teachers of the Deaf noting these events outside the classroom helped Ko Taku Reo students to feel positive about themselves and connected to friends who are just like them. Some teams also used Term One as an opportunity to connect with whanau over shared kai. These informal family nights were well received by families who not only had the opportunity to connect with Ko Taku Reo staff, but also other families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in their community.

In Term Two teachers at Ko Taku Reo planned EOTC events with a focus on the arts and New Zealand Sign Language, to commemorate New Zealand Sign Language Week in 2021.KIT Days during this term provided Ko Taku Reo students with an opportunity to be creative and do hands-on activities with the support of Resource Teachers of the Deaf and their friends, like creating paintings and slime. Some teams also viewed local art, found in galleries, museums, or on the streets in their city. Another key focus for many teams in Term Two was the continued development and celebration of New Zealand Sign Language. Ko Taku Reo students enjoyed the opportunity to see and use NZSL to communicate and learn some new signs. The feedback we received about these events was extremely positive, with Resource Teachers of the Deaf noting many students returned to school eager to share NZSL with their classmates and classroom teacher.