These three girls comfort each other during devotion.

IT WAS a solemn and gloomy day at the Immaculate conception High School in St Andrew yesterday as the school community reflected, during morning assembly, on the life and tragic passing of head girl, Pia Phillips.

A blanket of grief covered the sea of white and blue created by the students as they held hands and bowed their heads in prayer for the 18-year-old.

An ironic twist

Phillips died in hospital Sunday after she was accidentally shot, in an ironic twist, by her father at their Havendale, St Andrew, home the night before.

Phillips, who celebrated her 18th birthday last Saturday, was returning home from choir practice with her mother when the tragedy unfolded at her gate.

Tears silently streamed down the faces of some of Phillips' schoolmates, while others expressed their grief verbally.

The morning's devotion was packed with open tributes to Phillips and words of encouragement for those who knew and loved her.

Your name will live on

"Pia, you have touched the lives of so many of us, your name will live on," read one student during her tribute.

Father Michael Lewis said Phillips was a very devoted Catholic, who was very active in church and had a true sense of purpose. "We can have some peace knowing that she is with the Father," he said. "Pia lived as a woman of faith and died as a woman of faith."

Vice-principal Aba Polson told THE STAR that classes yesterday would be dismissed at noon to give students and teachers a chance to grieve.

An Immaculate Conception High student wipes her eyes as she cries during devotion at the school yesterday. - Norman Grindley Photo

This student had to be comforted during worship.

An Immaculate Conception High student cries during devotion at the school yesterday.