A Year 13 student who tragically died from meningitis during the ongoing Kent outbreak has been remembered as ‘a true friend’ by her headteacher, as her heartbroken family release her photo
The devastated family of one of two teenagers who have lost their lives after catching meningitis have shared the first photograph of her. Juliette, a Year 13 student who passed away from meningitis amid the continuing Kent outbreak, was honoured as ‘a true friend’ in moving tributes.
In conversation with the BBC, Juliette’s father revealed that the family are “beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss.” The family also asked for her surname to remain private. The sixth form student lived in Whitstable with her father Michael, 46, mother Rebecca, 49, and older sister Florence, 20.
Juliette had attended Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham for seven years and was remembered by headteacher Amelia McIlroy as “incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent.”
She announced her passing “with great sadness”, describing her as “a much loved and treasured member of our school community”.
She added: “Juliette was a student at our school for seven years. She was incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent, and she loved our school. Juliette embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy, and her humour and her positivity were captivating.
“She was a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff. In short, she was a lovely girl, her beautiful smile, her loving nature and her sense of fun will be hugely missed. We are all completely devastated. Our love and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this terribly sad time.”
McIlroy stated the priority now was ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the remaining school community. “We are continuing to work closely with UKHSA to ensure that they are all as well as they can be,” she said.
This follows as a third school, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, confirmed one of its Year 13 pupils has been hospitalised with meningitis.
“Our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time, and we hope for a speedy recovery,” the headmaster informed parents. He noted that whilst the situation is “worrying”, the school would stay open as the overall risk is deemed low.
Simon Langton Grammar joins Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford in confirming cases. At the University of Kent, students were notified on Sunday of a confirmed death from meningitis, and hundreds have formed queues for antibiotics during the outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that 13 cases displaying signs and symptoms of meningitis were detected in the Canterbury area from Friday to Sunday. A spokeswoman explained: “We have worked with the University of Kent to provide advice letters to all 16,000 students, outlining recent cases, symptoms to watch for, how to obtain antibiotics, and what to do if they feel unwell.”
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, cautioned: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly. Signs and symptoms can include fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia may also cause a rash that does not fade when pressed.
“Students are particularly at risk of missing early warning signs, as symptoms can be mistaken for a cold, flu or hangover.”
An announcement from Norton Knatchbull School confirmed a Year 13 pupil there had been taken to hospital with a confirmed case of meningitis. The school provided reassurance to parents that no extra precautions were needed beyond staying alert for symptoms.
At the University of Kent, authorities are working closely with UKHSA, reaching out to known contacts of cases and delaying face-to-face assessments and exams whilst offering alternative arrangements for students.