School dedication for Ella: my words to her friends and teachers

Ella love

On 17 March our school held a dedication ceremony for Ellie. It was meant to be outside the music room where her bench and roses are but it was pouring with rain so Tracy Kruger and her team set it up in the staff room, above the tuck shop. It was beautiful and heart-wrenching.

"Ella’s a real chatterbox, she was always talking and she’d tell us so much about you guys – her friends. There was always something she’d want to share and tell us about, and I feel I got to know so many of you.

Thank you for being here for Ella. I miss her with all of my heart each and every second of the day, BUT with every sore or sad experience that happens to us, something good must come of it too. I’ve met so many amazing people recently. I’ve found so many people who want to help us and I know that many of you will walk this journey with us always. Family and friends have drawn closer together.

YOU may also have made new friends or become closer with old friends because your memories of Ella bring you closer and you can cry or laugh together. Ella loved to laugh, she had a great sense of humour.

It was so comforting to see the words you children used to describe her – friendly, kind, funny, helpful, amazing, cool, playful, joyful. Some of our memories will be sad but many of them will be happy and funny and that’s a great way to remember someone we love.

There’s a bench that we’re leaving at school – it’s a white bench with two butterflies cut out of the backrest. It’s going to be placed outside the music room.

There’s a plaque on the bench that says “Be bold. Be brave. Be you”. You all know what it is to be bold and brave – you’ve all done things at some stage that made you nervous or scared, like writing a test or competing in a match, saying a speech in front of your class, meeting new friends, or owning up to something you did that maybe you shouldn’t have. Being brave is part of life, and the way you personally deal with the things that make you nervous or scared will help you grow as a person. Continue to be brave. And on those days when being brave feels difficult, maybe sit on Ella’s bench. She’ll be there beside you, because she was the bravest person I know. And if you ever see one of your friends sitting on that bench, looking a little nervous, maybe just give him or her a squeeze. There’s nothing better than a good squeeze to make someone feel better. Of course the bench is there for any of you, at any time. Don’t ever feel that it’s too special to sit on. It is special but it’s there for all of us – when we’re happy or sad, when we want to think about Ella or even just because we’re busy playing and need somewhere to sit.

 Ella was always just herself. She was true to her feelings. She was Ella. She was the most incredible little girl, and she still is. You loved her for the person she was and she loved you.

I know that so many of you have been so sad at what has happened – and you’ve all had to be brave. Someone else who is being very brave is Jemma. And I’m so grateful to those of Ella’s friends who have checked up on Jem, who have given her hugs and presents and visited her in class. You’re her big sister’s friends and she loves seeing you. Thank you for looking out for her, it means so much to us too.

To me you will always be Ella’s friends. I love your hugs when I see you at school. I may have a little cry but don’t feel you can’t run up and say hi, or even speak to me about her. You guys are in my heart and I’ll be keeping an eye on you J

It’s holiday time…I bet you can’t wait to sleep late in the mornings and not have any homework for a while! Have fun, be safe, be good, try not to drive your parents crazy!

Flowers;

Mrs Kruger. Ella connected with you the moment she met you. She loved art and was so excited to have you as a teacher. You’ve been here for us every step of the way this year. Thank you so much for putting all of this together!

Mrs de Souza. For being teacher to both of our girls, for loving them and being there for Jem now.

Mrs Boesch. You taught both of them too. Ella always knew she could pop into your classroom for a hug and Jem knows that now too.

Ms Maritz. Ella grew every year – as all kids do – but her most phenomenal growth was last year in grade 3. The two of you grew together and she loves you dearly".