News & Events

[David McKee]

Hello!

Ko Taku Reo has an exciting announcement: the new Principal for Ko Taku Reo is Deaf and comes to us from Australia, with experience in Deaf education in Australia. Her name is Amy Geue. I'd now like to hand over to Amy to introduce herself to you all.

[Amy Geue]
Hi everyone,

My name is Amy Geue - this is my sign. I was born Deaf into a hearing family. I have two Deaf Sisters – I'm the middle child. My eldest sister works as a contracts negotiator in a major company. My youngest sister is a nurse in a busy hospital.

My family consists of five of us. I'm married to a hearing gentleman, with three children. My daughter is also a teacher. I have two sons; my middle son is a Computer Programmer, and my youngest is an Electrical Apprentice. I'm really excited to meet you.

[Chris Sinclair]
Kia ora
I’m curious as to your Deaf education experience?

[Amy Geue]
I started in Deaf education as a young child, around 1-2 years old, through early intervention, where a visiting teacher visited me regularly. I then visited a Deaf Kindergarten and a Deaf unit on-site, which included hearing students as well. As I grew up, I then went to university and studied to become a teacher. I was inspired by my Deaf Teacher. First, I taught Auslan (Australian Sign Language) to Deaf and hearing students, then became a Teacher of the Deaf. I led two deaf units, and now I have the top role of Deaf Education in South Australia.

[David McKee]
Wow – Do you have any messages you want to share with students, families, teachers, staff, Deaf community, any message that expresses your vision for Deaf education here at Ko Taku Reo?

[Amy Geue]
My vision has to do with the belief that Deaf people can do anything. Deaf people can achieve what they set out to achieve. I believe in using Deaf research and evidence-based practice. I believe co-designing and walking with the community to design and work. I really want to partner with students, parents, families, staff, teachers, the Deaf community and the Māori community. I want to walk along this journey together to work out, to use the best practice, and to achieve all that we can.

[David McKee]
Thank you, Amy, and welcome.
Now you've all met Amy, she will be starting in Week 1 in Term 4. She will work alongside Denise Powell, our current acting principal, to have a handover and meet people, as well as understand the process.
PLEASE give her time and space to get used to the New Zealand Deaf education system, and to meet people throughout New Zealand.

Welcome to our FIRST Deaf principal for Ko Taku Reo, Amy Geue.