More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A school has held a tribute to one of its star pupils.
Classmates gathered at the Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey on Tuesday to pay their respects to Emre Huseyin in a service called 'A chance to say goodbye.'
The teenager, who would have been 16 last week, died at his home in Sheerness on February 1 after apparently taking a form of ecstasy.
The Rev Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Community Learning Trust, led the service at the Minster campus as a photograph of the schoolboy was projected onto a wall.
The school has created two memory trees in his honour and is planning to install a commemorative bench at its Sheerness campus where Emre began his secondary education. A bigger event in his honour is planned for later.
Mr Chalke said: "Of all the students in the school, I probably knew Emre the best, mainly because of his involvement in the dementia cafe and the Sheppey Community Development Forum.
"He grabbed life and used each moment he was given."
School Principal Tina Lee said: "I joined the Academy five years ago at the same time as Emre. He was never shy of talking to adults and was always asking questions. He could easily have been a politician.
"He was always sharing his ideas on what food should be served in the canteen and how pupils could be rewarded with trips to Alton Towers, Paris or even more exotic places. He also had ideas on how we should punish pupils who didn't perform!"
She added: "If I had one at this school, then he would have been my head boy."
Teacher Paul Murray, who worked with Emre on the award-winning dementia cafe, said: "I worked with him for five brilliant years. He was so kind, thoughtful, caring and understanding.
"He was a wonderful young man who was a credit to his family, his school, his friends and, above all, to himself.
The Rev Cindy Kent read Psalm 23 from the Bible which is known as Zaboor 23 in Islam.
Mr Chalke said: "Islam and Christianity are not enemies.
"We must all choose to live our lives well. Emre didn't believe in prejudices. That should be his legacy."
Emre also chaired the Swale Youth Forum.
His funeral is in Cyprus tomorrow (Friday).
Teenager to face trial on drugs charges following Emre's death.
