CHIARA SANFILIPPOA 13-year-old pupil of Herts and Essex High School in Bishop's Stortford has died after being involved in a collision with a car in Stansted Mountfitchet.Chiara Sanfilippo, a Year 9 student at the secondary in Warwick Road, lived in Five Acres in Stansted with her parents and younger brother and sister.She is believed to have just got off a bus at about 4.15pm on Wednesday (October 16) and was trying to cross the main Cambridge Road when she was involved in a collision with a car.Ambulance paramedics and police attended, and Chiara was taken to hospital for treatment, but sadly did not survive her injuries.Cathy Tooze, head teacher at Herts and Essex, paid tribute to the ""popular and high-achieving pupil"", who was a keen horse rider and a fan of boy band One Direction.She said: ""We have been deeply saddened to hear the news of Chiara Sanfilippo's death.""She has been at Herts & Essex since Year 7 and was a popular and high-achieving student.""Chiara made many friends and always had a kind word and a smile for others. She was well liked by her peers, who appreciated her sense of humour and positive outlook.""Outside, Chiara's passion was for horse riding and, along with many in her year group, loved the pop group One Direction.""Chiara will be sadly missed by all who knew her. We send our condolences to Chiara's family.""Students were told about the tragedy in short assemblies. The school has opened memorial books where pupils may write or sketch in commemoration of Chiara. Her close friends have chosen a tree in the school courtyard where students are invited to place flowers.Mrs Tooze said in a letter to parents: ""We will give thought to a suitable celebration of Chiara's life in due course.""Tomorrow (Friday, Oct 18), the school's Interact group – a youth branch of the Rotary club movement – will go ahead with its planned Krispy Kreme doughnut day. All proceeds will be donated to a charity of Chiara's family's choice.Next Friday (Oct 24), at the request of Chiara's friends, students are invited to wear a purple accessory, as it was her favourite colour. The £1 charge will go towards a permanent memorial for Chiara in school.Mrs Tooze added: ""This morning, I met with Chiara's grandparents. They requested that we provide support for her friends during their grief.""Indeed, we have secured the services of several trained and experienced bereavement counsellors. If any student needs some support from them, we will direct them as necessary.""
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