Once again, it is with deep sadness that we reflect on the passing of our much-loved student, Noah Kairns.
Our entire school community — students, staff, and families — has been left devastated by this loss.
Noah was a beautiful young man whose infectious smile, gentle nature, and joyful presence touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
Earlier this week, many of us had the privilege of attending Noah’s funeral — a truly beautiful service and a fitting tribute to his life. It was incredibly moving to come together as a community to share stories, reflect on our memories, and celebrate the profound impact Noah had on us all.
While our hearts are heavy, we are grateful for the time we had with him and for the lasting memories we will always carry.
I was honoured to deliver a reflection at Noah’s funeral on behalf of our school community — a privilege and a deeply humbling experience. I have included that reflection below, so those who were unable to attend can share in the words and sentiments expressed on that day.
Noah will always hold a special place in the heart of Bendigo SDS, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Eulogy for Noah
It is with both great sadness and deep gratitude that I stand here today to speak about Noah on behalf of the Bendigo Special Developmental School community.
It is an incredible privilege to share a few words about such a remarkable young man and the impact he has had on all of us. While today is a day of profound sorrow, it is also a day to celebrate the beautiful life Noah lived — and the joy, laughter, and love he brought into our school and into the lives of everyone who knew him.
Noah began his journey with us at Bendigo SDS in January 2015, arriving as a very cute Prep student with a cheeky grin that could light up a room. Over the years, we were lucky enough to watch him grow into a caring, creative, and determined young man.
His infectious smile and gentle nature touched the hearts of staff and students alike. Noah loved painting, music, and making things — often inspired by watching Mr Maker. He also loved storytelling, visiting the Kangaroo Flat Library with his class, and picking out a special book to share in the courtyard. I will always remember his giggle during interactive sensory stories in PLC 4, especially when we “went over the hills” on our Bear Hunt adventures. He wasn’t too sure about the Gruffalo’s teeth — the marbles — but he still laughed along with everyone, always ready to be part of the fun.
At school, our job is not to love children — our purpose is to teach, guide, and nurture learning. But in reality, you cannot spend each day alongside such incredible young people without loving them for their unique personalities, their quirks, and the joy they bring into our lives.
Noah was no exception. He was truly loved by all staff who had the privilege of knowing him. His courage, determination, and beautiful spirit touched each of us, and he will forever be part of who we are as educators and as people.
Noah had an extraordinary gift for friendship. He was deeply empathetic and caring, always concerned if someone was upset. Even without words, through his eye gaze and his presence, he would let you know he was there for you. He was a wonderful friend and classmate, and his peers will miss him dearly.
Noah loved birthday celebrations — singing Happy Birthday and sharing in those small, joyful moments that remind us of the importance of community.
For our staff, Noah was not just a student — he was a teacher too. Schools are meant to teach, but we learned more from knowing Noah than we could ever teach within the four walls of a classroom. Whether it was watching him enjoy the freedom of movement in the pool or seeing his excitement over a KFC potato and gravy, Noah taught us to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
He was looking forward to moving into our new building, and while he will not physically be there with us, his spirit will forever be part of that space — and part of our school.
I am incredibly proud of the dedication, passion, skill, and knowledge of the staff at Bendigo SDS. Each day they worked alongside Noah with love and unwavering commitment, and I know how much they cherished being part of his journey.
On behalf of all of us, I want to thank Lauren for entrusting us with Noah’s learning and growth over the years. It has been an absolute privilege to support him and to witness the remarkable young man he was becoming.
To Noah’s beautiful family — Lauren, Jesse, Lynda, and Aunty Ash — please know that you are, and always will be, part of our Bendigo SDS community. We share in your grief, and we are here to walk beside you now and in the days ahead.
Noah will always be remembered as a young man with a heart of gold, the most infectious giggle, and a spirit that brought people together.
Fly high, Noah.
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Your beautiful big smile will never be forgotten. Thank you for the joy, the lessons, and the love you brought into our lives. You will always have a place in our school community — and in our hearts. 💛 |
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