Principal’s child dies at rural school
A small community in rural Waikato has been left devastated after a 7-year-old girl died at her school.
Ellie Marie Kurth, 7, died at the grounds of Walton School, about 15km from Matamata, last Thursday afternoon.
She is the daughter of the school’s principal, Jeremy Kurth, and senior hub teacher Anna Kurth.
Walton School was celebrating Matariki with a shared hangi, which was being uncovered on the school grounds at the time, according to a statement from its board of trustees.
Police confirmed they were called to the school at 1.55pm, along with an ambulance crew.
It was understood Ellie’s condition worsened and despite medical attention she died at the scene.
Her death has been referred to the coroner.
‘‘The beautiful Ellie passed away at school, surrounded by people who loved her,’’ her funeral notice read. ‘‘Loved daughter of Jeremy and Anna, caring little sister of Brenna.’’
A board spokesperson said the Ministry of Education’s traumatic incident team was on site to help staff and students through the tragic loss.
‘‘This is, of course, a terrible shock for her family, staff, students and the wider Walton School community. ‘‘Our collective thoughts are with the Kurth family in this terrible time of loss.’’
Ellie had been receiving regular treatment at the Kidz First Children’s Hospital at Middlemore for a rare skin condition.
Tributes have been flowing for the ‘‘beautiful soul’’ on the school’s Facebook page.
The Ministry of Education’s head of sector enablement and support, Katrina Casey, said the deputy principal would be managing Walton School while its principal was off on bereavement leave.
‘‘This is a very sad situation for the family as well as for the school and its community and they are all dealing with it as best they can.’’
A funeral for Ellie will be held at Matamata Bible Church at 1pm today. Mourners have been asked to attend in colourful clothing.