WARWICK schools are this month (January, 2013) being offered the last chance to sign up for a charity record breaker for the most young people signing and singing a song simultaneously.
Teachers, parents and children from the town are being invited to register for SignHealth’s sign2sing world record breaking attempt on February 6 by Wednesday, January 23.
Steve Powell, Chief Executive of SignHealth, which is the national healthcare charity for deaf people, said: “More than 900 schools, including Aylesford School and Sixth Form College in Warwick, have so far signed up for sign2sing but we are hoping around 1,200 schools will participate to ensure we break our current world record.
“Last year (2012), 114,277 children took part in our second sign2sing event and broke our previous record. We are once again inviting schoolchildren and also parents, if they’d like to join in, to take part in our Guinness World Records® attempt for the most people signing and singing a song at the same time.
“The closing date for registrations is Wednesday, January 23, so we are urging schools to sign up as soon as possible, so they have time to learn and rehearse the song.”
This year, teachers and pupils who sign up for sign2sing will have access to digital resources developed by SignHealth in partnership with leading cause-related entertainment provider, Digital Giving.
The children’s book character, Olli the monkey, who loves to sign, features in the online digital resources and in an interactive lesson called ‘Monkey Manor’.
Although Monkey Manor is fun and entertainment-led, schoolchildren will be steered to access important communication messages, tips and information as part of the experience.
Steve added: “The digital resources are available to all schools that register for sign2sing and include a free whiteboard app.
“sign2sing is all about communication and the app will make it easy for teachers to teach the signs and song in an engaging way.”
The event on Wednesday, February 6 is designed to raise awareness of deafness and the work of SignHealth, as well as acting as a fundraiser for the charity from a suggested £1 donation from everyone taking part.
Children are being asked to wear a colourful scarf like Olli’s to school on the day of sign2sing and take in their £1 donation.
Young people from all over the UK and overseas will learn to sign a song, entitled ‘sign2sing’, which has been composed especially for the event.
Although the event is predominantly aimed at primary schoolchildren, adult and community groups or choirs are welcome to take part if they wish.
Steve continued: “Any schools, nurseries, colleges, choirs or groups in Warwick that decide to take part will be joining hundreds of children and adults all over the country and some in other countries at GMT 2.45pm on Wednesday, February 6 when they attempt to break the world record.
“We’re hoping more schools from the town sign up for the event.”
The money raised from the event will be used to continue the charity’s work helping to improve the mental and physical health and well-being of deaf people, including deaf children.
Schools wishing to take part are invited to register their interest via www.sign2sing.org.uk.
For more information about sign2sing, please visit the website above or contact SignHealth on 01494 687600. Alternatively, sign2sing is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sign2sing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sign2sing.
