Young friends ‘still in shock’ at teen’s death
THE headteacher at Louise Smith’s school has paid an emotional tribute to the much-loved teenager.
As her funeral cortege passed by Havant
Academy – the school she attended for the last five years – more than 100 mourners including teachers, classmates and residents lined the streets to say a heartfelt farewell.
As the horse drawn carriage made one last journey to the school gates which Louise would pass through each day with her school friends, the gathering broke into a spontaneous round of applause.
Headteacher Victoria Adams said: ‘Louise was a really valued and loved member of Havant Academy.
‘The whole community is really saddened. As a school we have been rocked by what has happened.'
A popular student, Louise was an active member of the school community.
Pupils had left floral tributes to Louise outside of the school gates, while purple ribbons had been tied to the entrance sign. Shocked students, many of whom would have been friends of Louise, waited on the roadside at the school entrance to say goodbye.
As the funeral cortege travelled along Wakeford Way residents opened their doors and stood at the end of their gardens – heads bowed as Louise made her final journey along what would have been a familiar road.
Fellow Leigh Park resident, Melissa Ellison, didn’t know Louise but felt she ‘had to come down’ to show the community is behind the family.
Melissa said: 'My heart goes out to the family – no parent should have to feel that pain. I felt it was important to come down to show the family we are all thinking of them.