Message from the Board Chair

Kia ora koutou

As we come to the end of our first full year as Ko Taku Reo - Deaf Education New Zealand, it is a perfect time to reflect on some of the amazing work we have been involved in throughout the year.

The Board is heartened with the progress being made by our school leaders who are developing new ways that Ko Taku Reo can deliver a range of nationwide services. This has involved working with staff to identify changes and programmes that have the potential to improve student achievement and wellbeing. Examples of these new initiatives include the opening of a provision in Wellington, Immersion day schools around the country where Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) learners enrolled at mainstream schools can come together once a week to access the curriculum, develop their identity, and NZSL skills with their DHH peers and a new Beacon School concept being trialled in Dunedin.

Of course, 2021 has also been disrupted by COVID once again. We have had to put our student Board member elections on hold for now but will let you all know when this is back on track. COVID, however, has also meant we have all been learning in new ways and has required our teachers to really think about the best ways to engage our students at distance. I was delighted to see photos recently of a number of virtual Hui organised in the Auckland region which allowed our learners to catch up and have some fun together from home.

Ko Taku Reo continues to share news and fabulous student stories with you already through our Facebook page and the Board takes much pride in the positive showcasing of students' achievements and experiences throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

I hope you enjoy this yearbook and manage some time with family and whānau over the summer to enable you to ‘recharge your batteries and we look forward to another successful year of working together for the benefit of all our learners.

Na mihi nui,

Dr Denise Powell

Board Chair

Ko Taku Reo Board