SHOCKED work colleagues today paid tribute to one of the youngest teachers at a Doncaster school after his mystery death at the age of just 23.
Richard Waight, a teacher at The Hayfield School, in Auckley, died in his sleep on Sunday night, pupils were told as they arrived to lessons yesterday morning.
All the youngsters at the Hurst Lane foundation school took part in a two minute silenc
e at midday yesterday as a mark of respect.
Mr Waight had been at the school for just over a year having joined Hayfield in September 2008 as a member of its science department.
It was his first teaching post and colleagues said his enthusiasm for his subject was clear from the start. Headteacher Dr Sai Patel said: "His death has come as a huge shock to everyone at the school, and he will be greatly missed.
"Mr Waight was passionate about helping young people and was always keen to get involved. He was a real character and a credit to the school. We will miss him and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
You can leave a tribute to Richard Waight in our book of condolence, click hereWhilst at the school, Mr Waight helped to run the science club, and more recently, had established the school's own golf club.
The club's membership had already run into around 20, and only last week he was trying to organise a visit to Bawtry Golf Club as a club activity.
By way of a tribute, the school intends to establish an annual golf tournament in his memory.
Outside school Mr Waight was involved in helping the local community through his work with the Young Rotarians.
The Doncaster coroner Nicola Mundy has been informed.
A post mortem examination is due to be carried out this week.
A decision on whether to open an inquest will be made when the results of the examination are known.
READ MORESubscribe to The StarMain news indexYour lettersFeaturesSouth Yorkshire's environmental newsKids ZoneMore business newsMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsLatest sport
