School to close for day as mark of respect for shot pupil

Jamie Johnston aged 15 years from Whakatane. Photo / Supplied via family

The school attended by a teenage boy who shot himself in a tragic hunting accident will close on Thursday as a mark of respect.

In a newsletter issued by Trident High School principal Phillip Gurney, Jamie Johnston was described as a "well-loved, respected student, friend and sportsman to so many" who had "touched so many lives with his positive and loving nature".

15-year-old Jamie Johnston was duck hunting on Sunday when the gun he was using accidentally went off and killed him.

The incident was followed several hours later by the death of another hunter in Feilding, who was killed when his gun went off as he climbed over a fence.

Police have completed preliminary inquiries into both deaths.

Jamie's mother Ginny Bellamy said yesterday that she wanted people to remember Jamie's "sparkly brown eyes".

"I want him to know that his family love him and we already miss him. Other families should hold their children tight."

Trident High School will close on Thursday while it hosts the funeral for Jamie, who was a year 11 student.

Support was being offered for students, with a counselling room available for students to make use of for the rest of the week.

"At this time we ask that you are sensitive to each other. Sometimes this news can bring up feelings and emotions for you that may not be directly related to this loss but to something else that has happened in your life."

The school is also requesting that students refrain from making any comments on social media, out of respect for the family and the school.

"We will continue to support the family and each other with courage," the letter concluded.