In a quiet part of our school we have a Remembrance Garden. Here we commemorate members of the Myton community whose lives were tragically cut short. It is a tradition we are proud of and one that has been in place for years. This week, family, friends and teachers gathered in the garden as a plaque was added in Kieran Long’s memory. By adding Kieran’s name to the plaques already here, we hope that over time, students, teachers and family have a place to remember their son, brother, and friend.
Kieran was, and in many important ways still is, a member of our Year 10. On a Saturday evening in February, he was knocked down by a car and despite the efforts of paramedics, Warwick Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, he died the following morning surrounded by his family. You may remember the sea of flowers and gifts at the roadside outside Morrison’s throughout February, many left by our students who tell me the staff and manager of Morrison’s would not take payment for the flowers the children were buying to mourn the death of their friend.
On Tuesday afternoon we gathered and listened to each other. Kieran’s Dad made a point of thanking Kieran’s friends for their heartfelt and eloquent words in the book of condolence and Kieran’s friends shared stories, hugs and handshakes with his parents and cried with them. Tuesday was a celebration of the 3½ years Kieran spent with us at Myton School. We are proud to have played a part in his life and through his friends, family and our tradition of a Remembrance Garden, the Myton community will never, ever forget Kieran Long.
