Creative students and staff at Derwen College performed and produced a video celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (March 21).

The video which features the inspirational song ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman, marked the international day which campaigns to tackle negative attitudes and a lack of knowledge about people with Down Syndrome.

This year, the campaign asked people at school, work, home and play to show their support for World Down Syndrome Day by wearing mismatched and brightly coloured socks.

However, despite the silly socks, the message was a serious one. Down Syndrome International aims to reach out to key employers to ensure they see the benefits of enabling people with Down syndrome and disabilities to make meaningful contributions in the workplace; then encourage these stakeholders to help bring about positive change.

Creative and performing arts teacher Emma Dodd said: “Our students and staff had great fun being creative to create a video to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, the video is a reminder to us all that we live in an extraordinary time in which we’re not bound by the conditions of our birth. We should be celebrating what every life has to offer.”

The Derwen College video received nearly 2,000 views in just two days, and many more ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ on social media, including praise from comedy actress Sally Phillips who has a son with Down Syndrome.