Shock death of teacher, aged 23
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 silence 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 here
Whilst 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 MORE
Subscribe to The Star
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
