School tribute to 'shining light' Jack following Babbs Mill tragedy
St Anthony's Catholic Primary School said it's been the "toughest time we've experienced as a school community."
Last updated 17th Dec 2022
Staff and children at St Anthony's Catholic Primary School have paid tribute to Jack Johnson, one of the four boys who died in the Solihull lake tragedy.
Ten-year-old Jack was rescued from Babbs Mill Lake on Sunday, along with brothers Samuel and Finlay Butler, and their cousin Thomas Stewart.
The deaths of Finlay, Thomas and Jack were confirmed on Monday while Samuel died in hospital on Wednesday.
In an end-of-term newsletter, headteacher at St Anthony's Primary School Cieran Flaherty said: "It has been a tough few days. The toughest we've experienced as a school community but I'm sure nothing compared to the pain of Jack's family.
"But as bleak as things have been, there is light in the darkness. The school and wider community coming together in such a powerful way giving us all support."
Mr Flaherty continued: "Jack too was a shining light in our school he sadly died living out our school motto 'actions speak louder than words'. Yesterday we paid tribute to him in mass where we were joined by Jack's family, and members of our school family.
"We were also joined by representatives from the WM police and from Redwatch Sheldon Fire Service who attended the scene on Sunday.
The message added: "I know our St Anthony's community has an unbreakable bond of support and we need that more than ever and I am proud to be part of it.
"I'd like to pay tribute to my staff who have been truly amazing in this difficult time."
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Kingshurst with a carpet of flowers now laid at a makeshift shrine which has grown up around a tree, near the lake.
Since Sunday night hundreds of people have been bringing candles, bouquets, children's toys, and balloons to the spot, as people struggle to deal with the scale of the loss.
Today (December 17), a vigil will be held in Kingshurst to remember the four boys, with hundreds of people expected to gather to pay their respects.