When you look at 2021, it immediately conjures hardship, lockdown, vaccination, and challenges. However, there were lessons to learn. Kelston Boys’ have managed to excel and do well at school and throughout their online learning.

We started the year by welcoming 3 new students and a new Teacher Aide. Elijah Kira, Zen Tamihana, and Callan Waters joined us from Kelston Intermediate School. 

We also welcomed Holly Laurin, who hails from Canada and is very enthusiastic in working with Deaf students. She replaced Alex Pegg who has gone for further studies. The other students in the provision were Destyn and Holden - Year 10, Fiero and Brooklyn Year 11 and Walter Meke in Year 13.

During the lockdown, the boys worked really hard and the three year 9 boys and Fiero were commended by their Whanau teacher for being punctual and attending online classes, completing their assignments, and doing excellent work in all subjects. The boys were really happy that in this lockdown, Ko Taku Reo had provided them with new laptops which made life much easier for them to communicate amongst themselves and with staff using Zoom and Google Meet and complete online work satisfactorily.

During the NZSL week, the staff and students helped in promoting and teaching Sign Language in the whanau class. The boys’ have also been very supportive in taking part in School hui’s throughout the year and performed a haka for the Term 3 National Hui.