School's tributes to teen found dead in Forest (From Daily Echo)

Burgate School pays tribute to Ross Haughey

2:40pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Jenny Makin, Crime Reporter

HE was the good friend with the lovely brown eyes and the shy smile.

That's how teachers and school friends described Hamsphire teenager Ross Haughey today as they came to terms with the news of his death.

The 17-year-old's body was found on Wednesday afternoon by a member of the public, around 72 hours since he had last been seen by his parents as he left his New Forest home.

Ross had told them he had gone for a walk but when he failed to return they raised the alarm and a giant manhunt was launched to find him.

Leading the tributes, headteacher David Pover said the school community had been “devastated” at the news of his death and despite the tremendous sense of hope in finding him, they now had to come to terms with the news.

They are offering pastoral support and specialist help to pupils who need it, he added.

Mr Pover said: “Ross was a lovely young man who had already demonstrated exceptional academic success. He enjoyed running and walking in the New Forest. He will be remembered as a gentle, modest student and our thoughts are with his family.”

Louise Burns, head of sixth form added, “We'll miss seeing Ross's lovely brown eyes and shy smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Friend Nick Hammond-Smith, 16, said: “You couldn't find a nicer person than Ross. He was a good friend who sat with me in some of my A-level classes.

“He was a quiet, private character who was totally dedicated to his studies. Yet despite his great academic success, Ross was modest about it. He was always focussed on what needed to be done. All of us had the greatest of respect for him. I have lost a great friend.”

Sam Rogers, 16, added: “Ross and I were good friends but undoubtedly my fondest memories will be running with him both in school and at county competitions.

“We encouraged each other on to bigger and better things and running brought out the very best in us both. We always had a great respect and friendship which was bigger than the friendly rivalry that brought us together. He will be greatly missed.”