Kelston Boys students pay tribute to much-loved peer
Students of Kelston Boys High School delivered a moving tribute after the death of one of their own.
Student Tofi Toelupe died from a medical event recently.
Fellow students and teachers performed a moving tribute as his body passed through the gates of the West Auckland school one last time on his way to his funeral on Thursday.
A video shows students lining the driveway and performing a powerful haka as Toelupe is slowly driven past.
Acting Kelston Intermediate principal Kiri Laing acknowledged Tofi in its latest newsletter.
“Tofi Toelupe was a Year 11 student at Kelston Boys, he passed this week and this is a very sad event for our Kelston whanau.
“We have many staff members who remember Tofi as a cheerful and lovable student, always with a smile on his dial.”
Kelston Boys principal Adeline Blair also paid tribute to Toelupe in a school newsletter, calling it the hardest two weeks she had experienced as a principal. “As a kura, we have had to bind together more strongly recently in mourning the loss of our Year 11 son and brother, Tofilua Toelupe. “We want Tofi’s aiga to know our thoughts and prayers are with them and that Tofi will be fondly remembered.” Neither Laing nor Toelupe’s family wanted to comment when approached by the Herald.
The coroner is investigating.