Dear parents and caregivers

You may be aware that a recent former student of the school , Ryan Adamson, died suddenly in his sleep in Dunedin on Monday June 5. Our thoughts and love are extended to his parents Julie and Peter, brother Maton and sister Piper and to the extended family. Many members of the extended family have attended St Thomas' over three generations, been on Boards of Trustees, Boards of Governors and PFAs, including his grandfather Leo Steel and our current Board of Trustees Chair Andy Steel.

Ryan was a fantastic young man and talented leader at our school. He had huge potential and touched all our lives here at St Thomas'. The whole school community feels his loss deeply.Because a large number of staff wish to attend this funeral due to the extended and long term connections of this family at St Thomas', we need to make arrangements for classes on Monday.

Classes will run for years 11 to 13 periods 1 and 2, then students will be released to go home for the rest of the day. Teachers will ensure learning activity or study is set for the seniors to continue with independently at home. There will be a number of year 13s who are friends of Maton or had close contact with Ryan at school who will go to the funeral. We appreciate this is short notice for you and have chosen to release the age groups which do not require legal supervision at home, so there is minimal disruption for you.

Classes for years 7 to 10 will run as usual all day through to 2.30pm with cover by teachers remaining at school and relieving teachers.

We appreciate your support in this. It is important that staff who have not only taught and coached Ryan, but his brother, cousins and uncles and had significant relationships with the immediate and extended family are able to attend Ryan's funeral.

We received this beautiful message from Nick Bates, Head of Cumberland College where Ryan was a Resident in 2016

I am writing to convey our sincerest condolences to yourself and your staff and your school community at this time, following the tragic passing of Ryan Adamson.

Having Ryan as a resident of Cumberland College last year and one of our mentors for first year students this year we have had the privilege of Ryan's leadership, humble citizenship, and caring personality in our residential college the past 16 months.

From what I know of Ryan and what people from your school have said about him, he was an outstanding young man and leader during his time at St Thomas'. He has been a fantastic ambassador for your school. So much has been his impact on our community that he was named 'Resident of the year' last year, the top honour at our college. He was universally loved and respected and displayed servant-hearted leadership rare in someone his age.
His fellow residents at Cumberland College have been devastated by his death, and have gathered these past two days to mourn and grieve his passing.

I can only imagine the sadness, shock, and devastation in your school community at this time and I want to pass on my deepest sympathies to you and your community, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.