"The Mark He Left on Our Hearts Will Never Fade": Kokstad School Pays Tribute to Young Learner

"The Mark He Left on Our Hearts Will Never Fade": Kokstad School Pays Tribute to Young Learner

  • St Patrick's College in Kokstad shared a heartfelt tribute to a learner named Ethan on 10 October 2026
  • The school asked for prayers for Ethan's father Richard, alongside the Ingram and Dorning families
  • The post moved hundreds of people online, with many sharing condolences for the grieving families
St Patricks mourns young learner
St Patrick's College pays tribute to Ethan. Image: St Patricks College
Source: Facebook

St Patrick's College in Kokstad is grieving the loss of a young learner named Ethan, after the school shared a moving tribute to him on Facebook on 10 October 2026.

The school posted the message on behalf of its community, describing Ethan as a treasured member of the St Patrick's family. The school wrote:

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"Though his time with us was far too short, the mark he has left on our hearts will never fade."

The post asked that love, thoughts, and prayers be extended to Ethan's family during what it described as an incredibly difficult time.

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The college specifically asked for prayers for Ethan's father, Richard, calling for strength, comfort, and peace for him in the days ahead. The tribute also offered condolences to the Ingram and Dorning families.

St Patrick's community rallies around the families

The post drew an outpouring of grief from parents, community members, and former pupils who knew Ethan personally. Many described him as a "precious little boy" and shared their shock and heartbreak at the news.

View the Facebook post below:

Mzansi sends love to the Kokstad family

The community's response in the comments on the page was one of deep sorrow and solidarity:

Beverley Groom wrote:

"Such tragic and heartbreaking news. How we all loved this precious little boy. Our deepest sympathies go out to both the Ingram and Dorning families and to all his friends...

Bev Hudson said:

"My sincerest condolences to the Ingram and Dorning. Our love and heartfelt sympathy are with you all at this very difficult time."

Lettie Neethling shared:

"Nadine, no amount of words can take away the pain. All we can say is we pray for you and the family and friends for strength to get through this extremely difficult time. May the warmth and love of family and friends surround you."

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Magriet Hans Bezuidenhout wrote:

"Condolences to the Ingram and Dorning family. Praying for full recovery for Richard. Fly high with the angels, precious Ethan."

Cathy Casalis said:

"Thinking of the Ingram and Dorning family and sending so much love."

Sinovuyo Sibiya added:

"My God, such a baby. What happened?"

St Patrick's College closed its tribute with a simple but powerful message:

"Rest peacefully, Ethan. You will always be one of our own."

More Briefly News stories on young loss

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tendani Mungoni avatar

Tendani Mungoni Tendani Mungoni is a Human Interest Writer at Briefly News (joined in 2026). She is a Film and Television graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand (2020). Mungoni began her journalism career as a Multimedia Journalist at Media24’s YOU Magazine. She was a Writer at TheSoul Publishing and Music in Africa. To reach her, contact: tendani.mungoni@briefly.co.za