The headteacher of school attended by a murdered teenager says he is in a “state of shock, disbelief and anger” following the killing and is urging his pupils to talk about their grief.
Renell Charles, 16, was ambushed and stabbed on Friday afternoon outside Kelmscott Secondary in Walthamstow.
The school’s counsellor is working with the pupils most affected by the tragedy, while the local authority has also sent in psychologists. The school has organised drop-in sessions for pupils at break and lunch times.
In a message to parents, headteacher Sam Jones said he was encouraging the school community to “open up and talk about our feelings”.
He wrote: “Life will never be the same for our Kelmscott family, Renell will never be forgotten. Knife crime continues to be a scourge on our cities, despite the very best efforts of families and schools.”
He added that attending school and following a routine can help students to cope. He said: “I have encouraged students to continue to work hard, be kind to one another as we pull together as a family, and support each other as best we can, through these very difficult and challenging times.”
A book of condolence has been opened for pupils to write messages to Renell or his family, and Mr Jones said the school was looking for ways to further honour the 16-year-old’s memory.
In a heartfelt tribute to his student, Mr Jones wrote: “Renell was a bright, capable, charming, talented, popular, charismatic young man who had great potential. His smile lit up the room. It is heartbreaking to know that this potential will now not be realised.” He added: “I readily admit that I am still in a state of shock, disbelief, anger, upset, regret and a myriad of other emotions.
“The incident itself came so unexpectedly, with no warning signs at all, which you would normally expect to see. The senior leadership team had been patrolling the area until about 3.45pm, as we do every morning and afternoon, ensuring our students get home quickly and safely. Less than half an hour later, we lost our beloved Renell.”
Renell had talked about knife crime robbing him of innocent friends “just like me” in a video filmed just months before his murder. He took part in filmmaker Kay Rufai’s Smile-ing Boys Project, which uses creative arts to address the mental health needs of black boys.
A 16-year-old boy charged with Renell’s murder was due to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
