Lossiemouth pupils learn to sing in sign
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PUPILS at a Moray primary were given lessons in how to sing in sign language by a man who has been recognised on the national stage.
Paul Whittaker OBE was at Hythehill Primary in Lossiemouth to deliver a workshop on British Sign Language to the 48 children in the school's Primary 1 classes.
Teacher Emma Carey said: "The children learnt a couple of songs in sign language which they then performed for their parents during the shared learning session that followed the workshop.
"It was a fantastic chance for the children to be exposed to British Sign Language and Deaf awareness in a fun and engaging way, building on the work already being done in the classes."
After the workshop, Paul joined members of the school's lunch-time sign language club to perform the song Best Day of My Life for Newly Qualified Teachers from across Moray.
Mrs Carey said: "It was well received with a lot of the newly qualified teachers joining in with some of the signs."
Born in Huddersfield, Paul is profoundly deaf, yet pursued a career as a musician.
A pianist and organist, he has a music degree from Wadham College in Oxford and a postgraduate performance diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music.
He founded Music and the Deaf, a charity to help deaf people enjoy music, and has signed for theatre performances, choirs, dance companies, operas and at international festivals.
In 2007, he was awarded an OBE for Services to Music and also holds Honorary degrees from the University of Huddersfield and the Open University.
Since 2015, he has been working independently as a motivational speaker, and continuing to share his passion for music and encouraging people to achieve their potential.
Passionate about signed song, he set up SiBSL – Songs in British Sign Language – which is dedicated to raising standards and awareness of the art form.
