Empowering Deaf Students in 2024

This year, we had seven students and four staff in our Deaf Provision. Andre, a Year 9 student, joined us from Linden School in Wellington and Max, a Year 10, from Hillmorton High School in Christchurch.

The year has brought about a lot of fun and learning for students in the Deaf Provision at Kelston Boys' High School. In the classroom, we saw successes and hard work rewarded. Frank was awarded a certificate for extremely high attendance this year at school.

Frank and D'Sharn presented at mainstream assembly for NZSL week. Teachers loved it and said it was both entertaining and educational. Both boys were awarded a certificate for their excellent contribution during NZSL week.

Max and Andre were awarded certificates and book prizes during term three hui. Max won his award for improved participation in all subjects and excellent reading skills, while Andre won his award for having a positive attitude towards learning and his enthusiasm for learning multiplication tables.

Outside the classroom, students returned to drama classes with the Tim Bray drama school and furthered their learning in drama. Hearty learnt all about being pregnant in this year's production, which they performed several times. Andre's class learnt about horticulture and the importance of how to grow food that will nourish us in the Kelston Boys' High vegetable patch.

Kelston Boys' High School provision purchased a broom this year, and the students took on the new responsibility of keeping the provision clean outside their classrooms. They learnt the importance of looking after our environment, which all students and staff appreciated.

Zen and Callan went on two trips to explore careers in art. They visited The School of Media Design and the Auckland Art Gallery, where their creativity was put to the test in making a collage that represented them, Elam, and the AUT Design School. Hearty and Andre also went on two trips with their classes to watch two dramas. One was "Pring it On", and the other was "Red, White and Brass" shows at ASB theatre at the Waterfront.

Hearty represented the juniors on the sports field in a tug-of-war. Zen and Frank both represented Kelston Boys' High, playing in the school's top team in volleyball and basketball, respectfully. Max learnt about weightlifting and its benefits for our bodies and minds.

On the academic side, the senior students have been working hard to finish their internals and recently submitted their Art and Design folio boards for moderation. Frank and D'Sharn have successfully completed their Level 1 NZSL assessments this year.

Finally, I wish Callan all the best as he intends to attend Massey Building Academy for the Carpentry course starting next year. Callan has been an outstanding student in the deaf provision.