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Keep in touch days

Keep in touch days

Keep in touch days (KIT days) are organised by Teachers of the Deaf for our outreach students in mainstream classes and schools to meet and interact with other Deaf and hard of hearing students.

KIT Days are all classed as Ko Taku Reo EOTC (education outside the classroom) events and are run in accordance and with guidance from EONZ (Education Outdoors New Zealand) and Ministry of Education health and safety guidelines.

KIT days provide the chance to:

  • Enhance student wellbeing by fostering a sense of belonging, identity, and empowerment
  • Provide the opportunity to share experiences, develop friendships and meaningful relationships with other Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children
  • Provide opportunities to interact with the Deaf community and role models who know what it's like growing up being Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Have exposure to a variety of ways of communication
  • Create a context to learn about and explore Deaf culture, identity, language, history and customs
  • Provide opportunities to develop and enhance leaderships skills of students through Tuakana/Teina relationships
  • Connect whānau and caregivers, giving them the opportunities to witness the dynamic environment where DHH students can interact, and to meet other adults with shared experiences
  • Be a part of a diverse and inclusive community
  • Have fun and enjoy the learning opportunities

KIT days involve aspects of our extended Deaf Studies guidelines, including:

  • Who am I? Ko Wai Au?
  • Deaf People, Deaf Spaces. Tāngata Turi Me, Wāhi Turi.
  • Rights as Deaf People. Mana Motuhake o Ngā Tāngata Turi.
  • Sustainability of Deaf Culture. Kaitiakitanga o te Ao Turi.
  • Navigating Different Worlds. Te Whakatere i Ngā Ao Rerekē.

and the New Zealand Curriculum, including the key competencies:

  • Thinking
  • Relating to others
  • Using language, symbols and texts
  • Managing self
  • Participating and contributing