Newton Abbot school prepares to break world record… with help from Olli the monkey

A NEWTON ABBOT school is  preparing to beat a charity world record breaking attempt. And it's hoped that its pupils will wear a brightly coloured scarf – like Olli the monkey's – while doing so…

Coombeshead Academy on Coombeshead Road is inviting pupils from its feeder primary schools to take part in sign2sing 2013 on Wednesday 6 February. The event, organized by the national deaf healthcare charity SignHealth, is a world record breaking attempt for the most people signing and singing a song simultaneously.

Andrew Tyner, Head of Music at Coombeshead Academy, said: "We are inviting children from our 13 feeder primary schools to come along and take part in a world record breaking attempt for the most people signing and singing a song at the same time.

"The attempt will take place at 2.45pm GMT, but we will be teaching youngsters the sign2sing song from 10am."

So far more than 950 schools – including Newton Abbot's Coombeshead Academy, Bradley Barton Primary School and Decoy Community Primary School – have signed up to join in with the event. It's primarily aimed at four to 11-year-olds, although younger and older children and adults can join in if they wish. SignHealth is hoping to smash its previous two records and involve more than 175,000 youngsters.

Bright blue scarf

The charity is also inviting participants to wear a brightly coloured scarf like the children's book character Olli in return for a suggested £1 donation."Olli the monkey is our mascot," said Steve Powell, SignHealth's Chief Executive. "He's rarely seen without his bright blue scarf. We are asking everyone taking part to wear a scarf – like Olli's – to school on the day of sign2sing and take in their £1 donation.

"Teachers and parents are welcome to join in too. The money raised from the event will be used to continue our work helping to improve the mental and physical health and well-being of deaf people, including deaf children."

Registrations for the event have now closed, but children who haven't registered can still join in with the fundraiser by wearing a scarf and donating £1 each. Donations can be made after the event by contacting SignHealth on 01494 687600.

Monkey Manor

As well as joining in with the event on 6 February, Olli the monkey features in the online digital resources and in an interactive lesson called 'Monkey Manor', at sign2sing

Although Monkey Manor is "fun and entertainment-led", the charity says that schoolchildren "will be steered to access important communication messages, tips and information as part of the experience".