Callers to St Mary's RC primary school in Dock Road, Tilbury are being asked to pray for popular teacher Shawn Cullen, who is in Basildon Hospital recovering from deadly meningitis.
Mr Cullen, 27, has now been moved out of intensive care, where he had been on a life support machine and dialysis since falling ill at his home in High Ash Close, Linford last month.
Mr Cullen had enjoyed a family meal before going upstairs to mark children's books when he fell ill.
At last term's carol service, 250 parents and pupils each lit a candle for him and prayed for him to pull through, while Mass was said for him every day at nearby Our Lady Star of the Sea church.
Although Mr Cullen is not a Catholic, he was blessed by the priest. Headteacher Ann Enefer urged the children to "badger God until He gets fed up with us praying." She described Mr Cullen as a hard-working, dedicated member of staff.
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