Emmanuel College students, staff pay tribute to slain Year 5 girl Sophie Wang
Emmanuel College has held an emotional ceremony for Year 5 student Sophie Wang, who was allegedly murdered by her mother at the family’s Gold Coast home.
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Schoolmates of Gold Coast girl Sophie Wang, who was allegedly murdered by her mother, have taken part in an emotional ceremony to pay tribute to their lost friend.
Students and staff at Emmanuel College at Carrara, where 10-year-old Sophie was a popular Year 5 pupil, gathered in the school grounds on Friday morning to lay flowers and attend a church service.
Many were in tears as they arrived carrying floral tributes which they laid at the foot of a sandstone wall, with a silver metal cross, which has become a makeshift shrine to Sophie.
In bright textas, students wrote heartfelt messages in memory of their friend.
“RIP, we love you, shine bright! You never deserved this. You will not be forgotten,” one tribute read.
“PS: God is with you.”
Another student wrote: “Fly high sweet angel. We miss you so much but God will take care of you. You will never be forgotten, you are the strongest! Shine bright, brighter than the stars.”
Students, staff and parents stood silently in the paved school square remembering Sophie as gentle guitar strains rang out from the chapel.
Many wept and hugged as the band played Amazing Grace.
Sophie was allegedly brutally murdered by her mother Yingying Xu at their Emerald Lakes home on Tuesday night.
Her father, Griffith University academic Dr Yun Wang, discovered her body after coming home from work.
A tearful Emmanuel College principal Dan Brown told media he was in “complete devastation” at the loss of Sophie who he described as a “great young lady” who was bright, loved reading, music and singing.
“She was a great friend – she was known as being compassionate and caring,” he said.
“As the principal of a school, there’s probably nothing harder you deal with than the loss of a student, particularly in these tragic circumstances.”
Mr Brown said it was a “tough” day but it was important for the school community to come together to grieve and remember Sophie.
He paid tribute to students and staff for they way were dealing with the tragedy.
“Our staff have been just incredible – they have been courageous, they have been compassionate and they have put our students first,” he said.
“They’ve also wrapped themselves around each other to support each other in this really difficult time, which has impacted our whole school.
“Equally I’m proud of our students. Our students are incredible too. They have shown incredible respect, character and strength for this particular tragedy.
“They’ve wrapped their hands around each other, looked after each other and cherished Sophie’s memory.”
Mr Brown said Emmanuel had received an outpouring of love and support from the wider community, including other schools which had offered their counsellors.
He said Emmanuel had reached out to Sophie’s family to express its sincere condolences.
Asked if there were any warning signs about Sophie’s family situation, Mr Brown said the school had done “everything we possibly could”.
He urged other students who may be experiencing problems at home to come forward as the school was a “safe place”.
“We have lots of people they can turn to for support to get that help if they need it,” he said.
Sophie will also be remembered at a candlelight vigil at Emerald Lakes on Friday afternoon.
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