Avondale College pays tribute to its head boy

Nathan Woolley's pride and joy, the Mini given to him by his grandfather, at yesterday's funeral. Picture / Martin Sykes

Avondale College head boy Nathan Woolley died as he had lived, "running hard, running toward the goal, running with purpose", says his pastor.

The 2500 mourners who packed into the Avondale College gym for an upbeat funeral yesterday were told that the 17-year-old had been born with an undiagnosed enlarged heart. It finally stopped as he played soccer last Saturday.

Nathan, a committed Christian and captain of Avondale's 1st XI, was farewelled in a three-hour service by family and friends, schoolmates and teachers and members of his family's church, Glen Eden Baptist.

Principal Brent Lewis said the entire college - roll 2650 - had been given the day off, but half the students had turned up for the service. Head boys and girls from other schools also attended, and an overflow room next to the gym was also packed.

"I've been a principal for 15 years and I've never seen anything like this," he said. "People have come from all over Auckland."

The flag at the school entrance was at half-mast and below it, flowers and tributes were heaped.

Some Avondale students were wearing black armbands bearing Nathan's name and the number 9, the position he played.

The service had live and recorded Christian rock. Nathan's cherished blue-and-white Mini, given by his grandfather, was parked outside.

"We've lost a hero," Glen Eden Baptist pastor Neil Baker told the crowd. "He died the way he lived his life - running hard, running toward the goal, running with purpose.

"He led an incredibly full life and died with his boots on."

Nathan was popular, speakers said, because he got on with everyone and led by example.

He had been considering attending Bible college and becoming a missionary. He also loved to surf and played the drums in a Christian band, the Flying Rhinos.

Nathan's mother, Lisa, recounted how in the weeks before her son died, she cut a deal: school lunches for daily hugs. Even as a child, she said, the second of her four children was never very tactile.

One of the last hugs she received was particularly sincere, and Nathan joked that it would have to last some time. "And it will be - that hug will be the last for a while," said Mrs Woolley. "So I've got a message for you boys - hug your mums!"

The college will announce some form of memorial to Nathan by the end of the year.