Our tribute to Ella...

...so day by day I will post up the tributes to Ella that were read out her ceremony.

This is the first one read by Annabel Debenham, Ella's design and textile teacher on behalf of all the staff from Ashton Park School.   I found the bit about "waving her arms" in the air, very poignant.  As most of you know, Ella had had her arm in a sling for over 18 months and a picc line in the other - so the ability to wave her arms in the air with gay abandon had long gone. So lovely to be reminded that she used to be able to do this...

We would like to share our memories and thoughts of Ella during her time at Ashton Park School.

At Ashton Park Ella was amongst the brightest of stars. It's testimony to Ella that the school nearly ground to a halt today! Along with Sophie and Jo she was part of the fabric of the school. She excelled academically but more than this she shone as a person, a friend to all but an amazing friend to some.

To us Ella was vivacious, intelligent, artistic, charismatic, creative, sociable and ultimately courageous. We remember how Ella seized every opportunity and experience. Her ‘Joi de vie’ – her love of life was never ending.

So many teachers and staff have wanted to pass on messages and share their memories of their time with Ella. Here are but a few…

I remember meeting Ella and Annie for the first time. Annie was so anxious about secondary school and I thought it was so lovely how Ella stuck by her and supported Annie as she settled in.

Getting to know Ella as her tutor was an absolute privilege. She was kind, thoughtful, friendly, generous, and simply a gorgeous girl. She was like a ray of sunshine, she would come into tutor with a beaming smile on her face.

I would always look forward to chatting with Ella and the others on so many occasions, they would have amusing stories to tell that made me smile. It was wonderful to watch her grow into such a lovely and bubbly young adult and I knew that she was going to be a highly successful and ambitious young lady.

My abiding memory of Ella’s physics lessons is of Ella being the feisty physicist, surrounded by a group of boys but always holding her own. She asked wonderful, thoughtful questions and enjoyed debating and arguing about the meanings of things. We all learned such a lot from having someone there who was prepared to argue her point until someone convinced her otherwise.

Ella and her friends were brilliant, so helpful, always doing things for me, she was so kind and thoughtful, I remember the Christmas decoration competitions and Ella would always be one of a few to stay behind and help make the room look fantastic, making lots of snowflakes and other decorations, and we won every single year!

Ella got involved in so many aspects of school life, she was a fantastic sports leader and manager of the ‘Top Link Festival’ which is a huge job. She had a great time doing this and the primary school children absolutely loved it too!

I don’t know who enjoyed our Textiles lessons more- me or Ella. It was so lovely to have her in the class- excited and enthused, she generated an energy reflected in her fantastic work. I always looked forward to our friendly chats-clothes, shoes handbags and more importantly what was happening at the weekend!. A particular happy memory is of Ella instructing photo shoots around school to record her latest designs- Ella using myself and Georgina as models in her creations- not so much for our modelling skills but for the fact we are more on the petite side and her dresses were always incredibly short! 

Locations were usually on the chilly side and we snuck around trying to avoid getting spotted by teachers- we always ended up with shots of us laughing with Ella on the other side of the lens. Such a creative mind, truly a talented young lady I am so proud of her achievements.

A fabulous skiing trip to Valloire-amazing snow with a great group of students. We particularly remember the bar with the crazy live band and there was Ella- right at the front - dancing into the small hours waving her arms in the air- totally immersed in the moment - classic Ella style . As for the skiing Ella clearly loved every minute even if her gorgeous long legs reflecting a more 'bambiesque' style on the slopes -spending most of the time on her bum- but laughing all the way down the mountain.

Ella and Amy were the voice of the sixth form- involved in every aspect – so keen to help on every level. Ella’s compassion and positivity was evident when she insisted all end of year awards at the Ball had to have a positive slant- so everyone felt good about themselves.

Ella was fascinated by astronomy and the stars. Whatever she had chosen to study, whether it was science, art, or fashion she would have reached them. Ella is an inspiration, she would do anything for anyone. Ella loved her time at Ashton Park and we feel honoured to have shared such happy times with her

We believe this sums up Ella’s outlook perfectly

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,

It's about dancing in the rain."