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Signing a song for the ones who can’t hear
School children in Cuckfield were among thousands across the globe who took part in a world record singing and signing attempt in support of deaf people.
Pupils at Holy Trinity CE (Aided) Primary School learned how to sign the words of a specially written song for the Guinness World Record attempt, which also raised funds for the charity SignHealth.
SignHealth campaigns for better health and wellbeing for vulnerable deaf children and adults. According to 2011 Census statistics, there are 21,971 people in England and Wales who say their main language is sign language. The number is for BSL and other sign languages.
SignHealth says health services should be making reasonable adjustments so the language barrier is removed and argues that there are far more people whose main language is sign language than other UK languages such as Gaelic and Cornish, which are given protection and funding by the Government while BSL is only ‘recognised’.
The Sign2Sing event on February 6 aimed to raise awareness about how everyone can communicate with adults and children who are hard of hearing.
Holy Trinity pupils all gave a donation and raised more than £230 for SignHealth. They were given a world record certificate with a digital key to the charity’s interactive website to explore educational signing games and competitions.
The children, wearing colourful scarves as a symbol of the SignHealth cause, gathered in the school hall and were joined by thousands of others in more than 800 schools throughout the UK and other countries.
Holy Trinity’s entry was organised by music teacher Brian Dallimore and pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2 practised the Sign2Sing song in class and hymn practice using an internet video.
Jo Munn, head teacher at Holy Trinity, said: “Everyone - staff and pupils - really got into the spirit of the day and worked hard to memorise the appropriate signs to accompany their singing.
“It made us all think about the communication issues associated with loss of hearing, as well as raising money to support children affected in this way.”
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Thursday 23 May 2013
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