The headteacher of a Lanarkshire secondary school has paid tribute to a "hard-working, respectful" pupil who passed away suddenly last week.
Blantyre's Calderside Academy head teacher, Skayne Dodds, described 12-year-old Gemma Caffrey as "lovely, kind and thoughtful" following her untimely death from a brain haemorrhage last Monday.
The S2 pupil, who attended Townhill Primary School before joining Calderside last year, clearly left her mark on the school community as pupils remembered her during assembly this week, with parents flocking to pay tribute to the teenager on social media.
Headteacher Mr Dodds led the tributes, saying: "The whole of the Calderside School Community is saddened by the passing of Gemma Caffrey.
"Gemma was a lovely, kind and thoughtful girl. She was a hard-working, respectful pupil, who enjoyed school life with her group of close friends.
"Gemma’s passing has had a profound effect on the school community and has created a great sense of loss.
"She will always have a place in the hearts of the staff and pupils who knew her. She will be sorely missed.
"The thoughts of the pupils, staff and parents of the Calderside Community are with her family at this sad time."
Others described popular Gemma as "beautiful" and "gorgeous" and sent their condolences to her heartbroken parents Graeme and Alison, of Hamilton.
Alison took to social media this week to thank those who had offered support and sent messages of love.
She also praised her daughter's school saying Calderside Academy had been "very supportive" and that the children in second year will get any support they need during this difficult time.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
