Shocked staff and students at Brentwood School are in mourning this week following the sudden death of one its most likeable and active students.

Lauren Bronka, 17, of Ingrave died last Wednesday after failing to recover from a series of asthma attacks. She and her brother Matthew, 15, have been boarding at the school since 1997 because of their parents' international travelling. Her father Mark is a senior executive at Ford.

Lauren was head of the Mill Hill Boarding House in Middleton Hall Lane and one of the school's most popular students.

Head teacher John Kelsall said: "This is a very sad and distressing time for the whole of the school, to see such a young and vigorous life cut off so suddenly.

"Lauren was involved in school plays and house music. She was a colour sergeant in the school cadet force responsible for basic training.

"She directed house drama productions and represented the house at netball and athletics. Her death is very tragic and a great loss. Our thoughts, of course, are with her grieving family at this sad time."

Mr Kelsall paid tribute to Lauren at a concert at the school last week, when parents, teachers and pupils stood for a minute's silence in her memory.

He said he had consulted her parents before deciding the performance should go ahead.

As a tribute to Lauren, her fellow sixth form students immediately launched a sale of memorial ribbons, with proceeds going to an asthma research charity.

Candles were lit at a special memorial service led by the school chaplain, the Rev David Gilchrist, on Friday and several functions at the school were postponed due to the distress caused by Lauren's death.

A minute's silence was held before Brentwood School's first XI football match against Bradfield College at Reading on Thursday, and the players wore black armbands.

Lauren's parents have placed a memorial notice for their "beautiful daughter" in this week's Gazette. The funeral is due to take place tomorrow (Thursday) at 2.15pm at St Thomas Church, Brentwood.

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