Staff and students at Wagga High School were numb with grief on Tuesday after the news of science teacher, Ron Anschuetz’s, death rocked the school to its core.
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While this grief is still felt strongly within the school community, students and staff are coming together to honour and remember the legacy Mr Anschuetz created.
The year 10 class organised Wednesday’s crazy tie day and plan to create another tribute to him later in the year.
Mr Anschuetz had been the year advisor for that group since they started at the school in 2013.
The crazy tie day was organised in light of Mr Anschuetz’s tendency to wear crazy ties, often with a science theme, to the school with his favorite tie being one with the periodic table on it.
Along with wearing crazy ties, the school is also raising money for the family to help with funeral costs and presented the family with a tribute book.
Principal Mick Powell said Mr Anschuetz was a “marvellous” science teacher and thoughtful person who nurtured a lot of students.
“In the midst of the grief there are lots of students saying things like, Mr Anschuetz believed in me,” Mr Powell said.
“He was a wonderful bloke who will be sadly missed.”
This is evident by the number of messages coming to the school from past students who want to pay their respects.
Mr Powell said past students had sent text messages, left Facebook messages and sent emails to the school with some of the past students even sending messages from overseas.
“They all said the same thing – that he was a great teacher and person,” he said.
“It really brings home the impact teachers have on students, it’s not until the teacher is lost that it becomes evident.”
Despite the terrible circumstances, the school community are supporting each other.
“I am so proud of the whole school community for the way they have come together to honour his memory and support the family,” Mr Powell said.
“It’s great to see the kids look after each other.”
Mr Anschuetz was not only an excellent science teacher but he also mentored students and coached soccer.
After working at the school for 14 years, his place there was highly valued with the school determined to remember and honour his legacy.
The funeral will take place on Friday, September 11 at the Wagga Crematorium from 10am.
The school will run on skeleton staff in the morning with normal classes resuming for period seven and eight. The year 11 English exam has been rescheduled from Friday morning to next Tuesday.
