It has been another positive year for students and staff in the Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education Hillmorton Provision.

Some of the highlights this year have been:

• Attending the Hillmorton High School Athletics Day, in which many of our students competed in both track and field events. Students enjoyed dressing up in Mahuika (Fire) House colours and supporting other students in their events.

• Teaching NZSL to Years 7 and 8 students during their weekly hui in which two of our senior students have taught signs linked to the focus for the week. Jayden and Noelani enjoy promoting NZSL and Deaf Culture at Hillmorton, and we hope to continue with this next year.

• Jayden and Noelani have also been working hard to lead the NZSL Club, which happens every Wednesday during the first break. Students and staff from Hillmorton and Upland attend the NZSL club in Aonga Ake and learn NZSL by playing games and doing activities our students lead.

• In May, a group of students attended the Hillmorton High School Open Night and led some NZSL activities in the Provision, including a Kahoot for parents and whānau who visited. It was great to see some of our middle school students leading the activities and connecting with students and their whānau about their experiences at Hillmorton.

• Our Year 9 students attended the Big Day Out at Halswell Domain, a positive experience with our students socialising and interacting with their Hillmorton peers. They thoroughly enjoyed learning about the local area and participating in various activities such as tree planting.

• In Term 1, our Year 9 students participated in the Hillmorton Camp. They had a great time making new friends and trying many different activities, such as sleeping in a tent, coaststeering, mountain biking, bushwalking and cooking on a camp stove. This was a very positive way for our students to start the school year, helping them to make connections and settle into their new high school environment.

• Three of our students graduated from Hillmorton High School this year, and we wish them well for their future pathways. We are all looking forward to 2024 and the opportunities we can enjoy!