Hundreds are expected to pay their respects to popular Southampton teacher Calvin Rodgers

Hundreds are expected to pay their respects to the beloved pastoral leader at Oasis Academy, who died suddenly on November 24. 

People who wish to pay their respects will gather from 12.30pm for a funeral service at Central Hall in St Mary’s Street.

As previously reported, the family have opted for a ‘smart and sharp’ dress code, which people who were close to Calvin feel would have suited his stylish taste.

The family will be wearing Mr Rodger’s favoured choice of clothing - a white polo shirt, dark jeans and clean trainers – and have also requested that no one wear black.

The service will be followed by the burial at St Mary Extra Cemetery, Portsmouth Road at 2pm.

Calvin leaves behind his wife Claire and two daughters aged 15 and 11.

A Justgiving pages have been set up by Calvin’s former colleagues and friends.

The most recent fundraising page has been organised by the leader at New Community UK, Billy Kennedy, and aims to support the family and offer some finical support.

The page hopes to raise £8,000 and states: "We are aware of the longer-term financial challenges that Claire and the girls could face as they no longer have Calvin’s income to support them."

Calvin’s wake will be held at the Sobar in Bevois Valley Road from 3pm this afternoon.

Tomorrow Oasis Academy Mayfield will also hold a memorial service to be attended by Mr Rodgers’ family, which is open to the wider community.

A short 'celebration of life service' will take place the front of the academy and it will include prayers, a minute’s silence and a balloon release by Mr Rodgers’ Year 11 students.

The school will be be shut today to allow staff and students to allow staff and students to attend the funeral.

On Sunday there will be a tribute ‘ride-out’ and service organised by former Oasis student Steve Waldon and mother of three former students, Tammy Gibbs.

“If it wasn’t for Calvin I don’t know where I would be without him today. He kept a lot of people out of trouble and on the right path,” said Mr Waldon.

 “It was a huge shock when Calvin died. Worked with my daughter; he encouraged her, listened to her, helped her pass her exams,” said Mrs Gibbs.

The ride-out is going to start from Burger King car park in Hedge End at 5.20pm and lead down to St Andrews Methodist church in, on South East Road, Sholing.

An open remembrance evening will then take place at 6.30pm at the church.

To donate visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Claire-Tyra-Freya.