Marsden students learn sign language

24 May 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marsden students learn sign language

In recognition of New Zealand Sign Language Week recently Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Preschool and Primary School students held a concert completely in New Zealand Sign Language for honoured guest Darryl Alexander. Darryl is a sign language teacher, winner of a NZSL Teaching Award, advocate for the deaf and a current member of the Deaf Blacks. Darryl was brought up in Wellington and he and his sister, who attended Marsden School, were born deaf and were brought up using sign language.

Many parents will recognise Darryl, who signs the National Anthem in school videos, and the Marsden students were excited by his visit.

Darryl told the girls it was a rare and special occasion to attend a sign language concert and responded in kind with ‘Rock this Country’ by Shania Twain, which had the girls rocking, signing and singing along. He was impressed all the girls could introduce themselves in sign before asking their questions. Darryl told them it was particularly challenging to be a deaf person in a room with many people speaking. The girls were also interested to learn that their name could be shortened to a single sign by someone in the Deaf community.

Marsden School Music Teacher Jenny Gould, who organised the concert, and teaches the girls sign language said “The girls have a greater appreciation of why NZ Sign Language, one of New Zealand’s official languages, is important and how they can support people with a hearing disability, and they enjoyed the challenge of preparing for this special concert”.

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School has been providing quality independent education for more than 135 years. Today it has two campuses. The Marsden School Karori campus provides education for girls from Years 1 – 13 and has a co-ed Preschool. Marsden School’s purpose is to lay the foundation for lives of meaning, accomplishment and genuine happiness. marsden.school.nz

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