School sign classes a community success

Children and staff at Spring Creek School have been taking a hands-on approach to learning a new language – one sign at a time.

The school has been learning New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) for almost eight weeks.

And the move is proving so popular, families throughout the community are picking it up through their eager children.

Principal Cheryl Alderlieste says it would be great to see other schools follow suit.

“The children love it and are very quick to learn.

“It’s been amazing and one of the most exciting things is the feedback from our whānau; the children get home and teach their families signing.

“We discussed it as a team because we have a strong focus on being inclusive and we have a child who’s non-verbal and he was part of the reason.

“It’s an official language in New Zealand and is very important. I’d encourage all the schools in Marlborough to get Eufrasia in.”

Cheryl says she plans to print an information booklet on signing at the end of the 8-week session.

“It’s important to keep the momentum going,” she says. “We all know how to sign our names and I see most of the children using simple signing in the playground too…

“We use it at the school gate in the morning too.”

For the last eight weeks, Eufrasia Peneres Middlemiss has been holding classes after being approached by Cheyrl.

The classes are funded through the school’s inclusive education budget and were an instant success, Cheryl explains.

“She [Eufrasia] is so engaging and the lessons are really enjoyable.”

After approaching Education and support centre Reap Marlborough, Cheryl was given Eufrasia as a contact as she is also a tutor there.

The Kmart store assistant has become well know for greeting customers using NZSL.

She says she is delighted to see more people taking the opportunity to learn the language.

“I believe that learning NZSL is highly important because it allows all students to communicate with each other, that way promotes inclusion and helps build an open and accessible society for everyone.

“NZSL will be able to help everyone communicate and interact with deaf people, breaking down barriers, helping to build relationships with the deaf community and increasing their self-esteem.”

Eufrasia says she really looks forward to her Thursday morning classes and would be keen to teach at other schools too.

“I am so happy that I could share a little bit of what I know. I love working with kids and it has been delightful to see all of them committed to it.”