Reflecting on Our Year at the Auckland Residential Campus

In 2023, we welcomed six new students:

• Shannon (Kelston Intermediate School)
• Hearty (Kelston Boys' High School)
• Hevaniah (Kelston Girls' College)
• Justyce (Tū Kōkiri)
• Thando (Tū Kōkiri)
• Emma (Kelston Girls' College) 

Weekly Activities:

Our students were involved in board games, Chess, Pool Table competitions and challenges, Grab the Spoon, Pictionary, plus many more activities. The residents enjoyed the games, and Brooklyn, in particular, developed a genuine enthusiasm for Chess, encouraging fresh players to be involved. They received prize vouchers and trophies.

We had a group of students involved in an Immersion Hui camp visit us in early August and an Immersion NZSL camp in early September. We had lots of fun with various activities and games, and all had an enjoyable time.

Six students attended Snap Fitness New Lynn for six sessions. Our trainer was Zach Te Maari, a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA). He is fabulous and uses NZSL to communicate with the students.  

Weekend Activities:

Residential students have been participating in weekend outings on their own. The activities are planned ahead of time so everything is well organised. Our staff members were happy to see the excellent level of participation in the activities.

Fitness and Sports:

Callan played Rugby League for Roosters Te Atatu club under 16 every Saturday. His team won the final games 22-19 against the Ellerslie Eagles team. Callan was selected for Kelston Boys' High School Rugby League in 2024. He will play at two Rugby League clubs in 2024.

• D-Sharn played football for Kelston Boys' High School every Saturday morning
• Levi attended Westgate Ten Pin Bowling games every Saturday morning
• Auckland hosted the 6th National Hui Māori Deaf Hui on 20 –23 October 2023

Village students enjoyed a weekend Hui, meeting new people and ex-students from the old Deaf school and Deaf Māori role models. They shared an excellent presentation on their life experience and met two visitors from Aboriginal and indigenous deaf life. Our Kelston Village and Sumner students have shared a fabulous Kapa Haka team on the stage. Students from the village won the best talent on stage called "Hongi" and received 1st prize of $300 and gave greenstones to all students.   

Senior students
Students learn to be independent in the senior flat by making their duty roster, cleaning, etc. They self-cook meals daily after preparing a weekly food menu roster and ordering food online. They have their own bathroom, shower/toilet. If they need assistance, there are staff to support and teach them.

We farewell the following students in 2023

• Levi - 5 years
• Kingi - 3 years
• Catherine - 3 years
• Jahlissa - 3 years
• Thando - 1 year
  
  

Levi's goodbye message

My name is Levi, aged 21. I finished at the village on 13 December 2023. I like the Residential Village because I like fishing, Rainbows End, movies, games, and chats with staff and students. Staff have taught me to cook. I'm returning home to Rotorua with my family.