Pupils launch memorial campaign for assistant headteacher

Published 26 Jan 2012 09:30

HUNDREDS of pounds have been collected by devastated pupils who want a permanent memorial for their assistant headteacher.

Students at The Forest School in Winnersh also created a tribute outside for Joe Holyer, 52, after they were told on Friday that the popular teacher's body had been found the day before in Dover, where his family lived.

Over the weekend, pupils past and present paid tribute to by writing on their ties and securing them to branches of a tree near the school gates, which was also surrounded by flowers, history books and posters.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Headteacher Keith Quine said: "We've all been affected by Joe Holyer's death, and our grief is being shared by not only the local community but by many former students around the world - I have received so many messages in the past few days.

"We've always had openness at our school, and this is continuing as students and staff share their own personal memories of Joe.

"Impromptu on Friday, a number of students began a collection and have raised hundreds of pounds so far.

"They feel it's important to have a permanent memorial for Joe and we'll be giving this some consideration in the near future.

"I'm very proud of how we are supporting each other at The Forest School during this very difficult time.

"I've lost count of the number of students who have even come to my office to ask me how I am - it's overwhelming."

Mr Quine added counselling has been made available to pupils.

The school has set up a website, http://yourforest.co.uk, where tributes are being collected. More than 270 people have also been leaving messages on a Facebook group called 'RIP Mr Joe Holyer.'

Will Satterthwaite wrote: "Mr Holyer had the respect of everyone he taught because his passion for his subject was contagious, he was fair, had a sense of humour and treated everyone with respect. A huge loss of a great teacher and more importantly a great person. My thoughts are with his family and those who knew him best. Rest in peace Sir."

Jackie Lunn wrote: "From a parent's perspective, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for both of my sons. You were so well loved and respected as a teacher and a man. RIP Mr Holyer, God bless. x". Mr Holyer, who lived in Wokingham, joined the school as a history teacher in 1986.

He became a year director and in 2002 was promoted to assistant head with responsibility for student welfare.

Mr Holyer is survived by three sisters and a brother.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 26 Jan 12

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