Mrs Ferguson believed totally in the potential of all children to' ‘Learn, Grow and Succeed Together’ ’as they imbibed the values of being ‘Heard & Cared For, Inspired, Resilient, Successful and Respect'. Her professional outlook extended beyond the shores of the UK;  to the Netherlands (Holland) and China in particular, where lasting connections have been made with professional colleagues.     

We are in contact with her family to offer our support, as our school family joins them in their grief at this time.

Informing the children & further support

We will be holding assemblies with the children to speak about Mrs Feguson upon our return in September. This will be done in two separate assemblies so that it can be explained in an age appropriate way and support systems can be put into place as needed. We will try to answer children’s questions in school using age-appropriate and honest language.

However, we suggest that you discuss this with your children prior to this, and we have included details below about information sources to help you do this.

We realise that this sad news will affect many within our community who knew Mrs Ferguson well, but may also affect those who have experienced loss personally.

 If you or your child require any further support, please do not hesitate to contact us and Julie Baker (our Pastoral Lead), who will respond to you.

• https://www.winstonswish.org/
• https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/
• https://www.cruse.org.uk/

Condolences

On behalf of the school community we have expressed our sympathy to Mrs Ferguson’s family, and we are sure you appreciate that we are respecting their privacy at this sad time. 

We have had beautiful messages and memories shared about Mrs Ferguson coming through by email and voice notes. We would like to have all these gathered and shared with both her family and the whole school. 

We have, therefore, set up a virtual memorial page (Click HERE), where our school community can share their thoughts and memories of Mrs Ferguson. This will remain open until 31st October 2024. We will then close the virtual memorial page and have it printed out as two books. One to give to Mrs Ferguson’s family and the other to keep within our school. 

From 4th - 6th September 2024, you are welcome to come in and sign the virtual book of condolence in our Studio between the hours of 8.45 and 9.45am or from 2.15 to 3.15pm. Please do this after you have dropped off or before you pick up your children.

We will in time, along with Mrs Ferguson’s family, look at how we will come together as a school community to continue to celebrate her life.

The family have offered the following as links should you wish to make a donation towards charities and institutions that Mrs Ferguson was passionate about and were at the centre of her care:

• Friends at Marsden (Click HERE)
• St Luke’s Hospice Basildon (Click HERE)

Mrs Ferguson always believed in and spoke of the importance of the ‘EWPS family’. Therefore, as we face this sad time, we know the importance of coming together and supporting each other and continuing this as we move forward together.

Kind Regards,

Ellen Wilkinson Primary School