Friends to remember tragic Lucy
FRIENDS of a teenager killed in a road accident in Suffolk are to remember their schoolmate in a Book of Remembrance.Lucy Simmons' classmates, along with staff at Northgate High School in Ipswich, have been invited to contribute to the book, which will then be presented to Lucy's parents.
FRIENDS of a teenager killed in a road accident in Suffolk are to remember their schoolmate in a Book of Remembrance.
Lucy Simmons' classmates, along with staff at Northgate High School in Ipswich, have been invited to contribute to the book, which will then be presented to Lucy's parents.
Lucy, of Eye Road, Rishangles, was killed in an accident in the village where she lived on Tuesday morning. The green Volkswagen car she was driving hit a tree while she was on her way to school.
The teenager, pictured here on the special night of the prom ball in 2004, was pronounced dead at the scene and police are still appealing for witnesses.
Neil Watts, headteacher at Northgate High School, said: “The Book of Remembrance could include photos, poems, artefacts - because art played such an important part of Lucy's life - as well as messages and memories.
“Members of staff are as affected by this as the pupils so they will be contributing as well.
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“It is a good way of channelling their grief, they all feel as if they are doing something.”
Mr Watts added: “I have no idea how long it will take to complete. It will take as long as it needs to take. Not everyone feels they are able to contribute yet. For some it just is not time. We only have one more day before half term, and the funeral is during half term.
“For those who do want to contribute, they feel they are doing something for a lovely girl - a lovely, lovely girl.”
Mr Watts said at the moment the school was taking a low key approach to talking through the tragedy.
“We are talking to everyone in a low key, quiet way. There is always someone with time to talk, but if anyone feels like they need counselling then we will help with that.”
A special sixth form assembly will be held in the future after further liaison with the family.
He said: “That will be a celebration of her life. She was an individual and that will be reflected in the special assembly we hold.”
Friends have already paid tribute to Lucy, describing her as a “beautiful, vivacious and intelligent” 17-year-old.
Her boss also joined those in paying tribute to Lucy.
Graeme Kalbraier, the managing director of Call Connection in Cromwell Square, Ipswich, said Lucy was a part-time member of their call centre staff who had worked with them for just two weeks.
Mr Kalbraier said: “It's just such a waste. I met her on her first day and she was a bubbly and outgoing girl and was looking forward to the job.
“It has hit some of the people quite hard. It is something they will not have come across before.”
The company will be holding a minute's silence in memory of Lucy tomorrow when her friends will be working.
Mr Kalbraier said: “We will close the phones down and have a minute's silence as a mark of respect and in memory of Lucy.”
Lucy left Hartismere High School at Eye 18 months ago to pursue her studies in the sixth form at Northgate.
Anyone with any information about the accident should contact police on 01473 613500.
