Pupil dies of meningitis on trip

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A student from a Northamptonshire school has died from meningitis while on a trip to Russia.

Thomasin Purbrook, who was in the sixth form at Oundle School, was on a school trip to St Petersburg when she was taken ill.

Miss Purbrook, known as Thommy, died in a Russian hospital on Sunday after her parents had flown out to be with her.

Headmaster Charles Bush described her as a "shining star, the finest leader and an example of the best for all".

The pupil had been applying to study history at degree level, and had recently been interviewed at Cambridge University.

Candlelit service

The school, a mixed independent school for pupils aged 11 to 18, held a short candlelit service in her memory.

The chapel was full despite only a few hours' notice, the school said.

Miss Purbrook's housemaster David Turner said: "Thommy was a truly exceptional young woman who was born to excel and lead.

"She could not fail to catch your attention with her room-filling character. She was a charmingly uncompromising personality who we believed was a shining example to the younger members of the house and its natural leader.

"We are frequently told that this generation lacks positive role models - Thommy was proof that this cliche is a myth."

Miss Purbrook was head of her house, vice-captain of girls' hockey team and girls' rugby captain.

Mr Bush added: "We will remember Thommy for her wonderful zest for life, her smile and enthusiasm for all things, and the radiance of her personality.

"She was a shining star, the finest leader and an example of the best for all. She made our lives better by her presence."

As a precautionary measure, the school said that the rest of the group who had been travelling with Miss Purbrook had been offered preventative antibiotic treatment.

However, health experts were keen to stress that this was a single case and it was uncommon to see other linked cases of the disease.