Over £8,000 raised to remember “exuberant” teacher

Tuesday 14 July 2020

A fundraiser to create a ‘Friendship Bench’ and outdoor area with an eco-mural in memory of an “exuberant” and “outgoing” Year 1 teacher has raised over £8,000 – more than four times its target.

The JustGiving crowdfunder was set up with a goal of £2,000 by Carol Porter to help remember her daughter, Rouge Bouillon teacher Cassie, who passed away on 17 June.

Cassie joined the school after a three-year stint teaching in Thailand.

There, she worked on developing an outdoor growing space at the school before the pandemic hit alongside family nutrition charity Caring Cooks, which remembered her as an “incredible teacher and a beautiful young lady."

In a Facebook post, they urged islanders to donate to the fundraiser to develop the outdoor area "to make her dream a reality."

In a message posted on the JustGiving page, the school’s Headmaster, Russell Price, explained how the school had “had some parents asking if they could contribute to something in Cassie’s memory.”

"Cassie and I had been discussing improvements to the Year 1 outside area, and she had drawn up a plan. I would like to see these plans through.” The plans would also involve the building of a ‘Friendship Bench’, “where children can come in the playground if they want someone to play with.”

Other events to be held at the school in Cassie’s memory include an arts afternoon where the children will band together to create a clay flower head, and contribute ideas towards a mural based around an environmental theme, which will be painted by a local artist. 

Pictured: The total this morning.

A ‘noisy minute’ in her honour took place yesterday, with Carol saying on the page how “one of the children suggested that we have a minute’s clap for Cassie, and although we liked the idea, we thought it was a bit too formal as Cassie was more of a fun, exuberant, whooping, outgoing person.” 

“So we are planning to have a noisy minute in her honour, with children bringing in whatever they can to make as much noise and have as much fun for that minute as they can.”

She added that “hopefully anyone within half a mile will be unable to fail to hear us; I think it would be something that would have made Cassie smile.” 

Today the whole school went outside in their bubbles to make a loud noise for Miss Porter. We wanted to remember her in a special way to show what an amazing teacher and friend she was. pic.twitter.com/dWJLO0xog5

— Rouge Bouillon School (@rougebouillon) July 13, 2020

Posting after the event on Twitter, the school said they hoped the "special" tribute would "show what an amazing teacher and friend she was".

CLICK HERE to donate to the JustGiving page.

Pictured top: Cassie Porter, who was remembered for her "outgoing" and "exuberant" character, by colleagues. (Carol Porter/JustGiving)