Sponsored by
Tragic death of Oundle School pupil
An upper-sixth pupil from Oundle School has died from Meningococcal Septicaemia whilst on a school trip in Russia.
Thomasin Purbrook (known as Thommy), an upper-sixth form boarding pupil at Oundle School, was admitted to the Botkinskaya Hospital in St Petersburg on 18 December with a meningococcal disease which has now been diagnosed as meningococcal group B.
Tragically Thommy lost her battle during the early hours of Sunday 21 December.
It is understood that Thommy contracted the illness whilst in Russia although there have been no reported instances of similar infections in recent weeks. All other pupils returned to the UK on Thursday as scheduled and they have received appropriate medical treatment.
A spokeswoman from Oundle school said: "Thommy received excellent medical treatment and her immune system fought hard to overcome the infection.
"Her parents flew from England to support Thommy and the school tour leader also remained in St Petersburg.
There was a short candlelit service of Reflection and Thanksgiving in the school chapel on Sunday evening and there will be a Memorial Service in due course.
Thommy's Housemaster David Turner said: "Thommy was a truly exceptional young woman who was born to excel and lead.
"She could not fail to catch your attention with her room-filling character.
"She was a charmingly uncompromising personality who we believed was a shining example to the younger members of the House and its natural leader.
"At her initial interview, I knew that she was someone special.
"We are frequently told that this generation lacks positive role models; Thommy was proof that this clich is a myth.
"The School and Sanderson House will miss her beyond measure."
Thommy was studying History, French, Government & Politics and Mathematics at A level and was applying to read History at university. She had recently been interviewed at Cambridge.
For further medical information about this illness contact the local Health Protection Agency at www.hpa.org.uk or visit www.meningitis-trust.org.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
