TEACHER TRAGEDY Brit head teacher Simon Gibbs is killed in ‘accident’ while on holiday in France with pals as tributes paid
A BRIT headteacher has tragically died on holiday in France.
Simon Gibbs has reportedly passed away in an accident on Saturday evening while on a getaway with his friends.
The principal of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, Essex was described by his peers as a "much-loved colleague" and a "brilliant" educator.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed his death, adding that it has offered support to his family.
British authorities are in touch with French officials to discover more details of his passing.
Regional education director for the Academies Enterprise Trust Johanna Thompson has broken the news of his death to colleagues and parents of the school.
In a heartbreaking letter to parents, she wrote: "I am very sorry to be writing with the tragic news Simon Gibbs, our principal, died over the weekend.
"From what we understand there was an accident on Saturday evening whilst Simon was away for the weekend with some friends in France.
"This is obviously devastating news, and our immediate thoughts are with Simon's family at this impossible time."
She continued: "Our staff have been informed today and we wanted to make sure you are aware so that you had the opportunity to speak to your child tonight.
"Devastating news like this will take time for everyone to process and come to terms with and our priority is to make sure that students and staff have the support available to help us all through this time.
"Simon was a much-loved colleague and brilliant headteacher and we will miss him enormously.
"He will be remembered for his integrity and passion for teaching, as well as his dedication to the community of New Rickstones.
"As we come through the next days and weeks, we will find the right way to remember him at New Rickstones and to celebrate his commitment to this community."
Gibbs graduated from Cardiff University with a Masters in economics in 2004 before he went on to qualify as a teacher.
He worked at as Head of Mathematics at Maltings Academy, but moved to New Rickstones in 2018.
In 2021 Gibbs was promoted to a principal of the school and worked at the school for over six years before his untimely death.
The parents of Gibbs' students have paid their heartfelt tributes on social media in the wake of his passing.
One person wrote: "Mr Gibbs was a fantastic teacher at new Rickstones academy and always helped with all my children."
Another one added: "He was the person to go to and always got back to you straight away to help. I was only just speaking to him last week about helping one of my daughters.
"He had such a lovely kind heart and would help anyone."
A third person said: "'My girls are gutted and so are we. He was an amazing teacher and Head Teacher.
"He cared so much about his pupils. Sending hugs to his family and colleagues at this hard time."
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