Schoolgirl who died from meningitis remembered as 'kind and thoughtful'

Schoolgirl who died from meningitis remembered as 'kind, thoughtful and intelligent' A meningitis outbreak in the Canterbury area has grown to 13 cases between Friday to Sunday, and claimed two lives - including a sixth form pupil and a university student. Monday 16 March 2026 14:42, UK 1:10 Share School 'completely devastated' by death of pupil with meningitis Why you can trust Sky News A sixth form pupil who died in a meningitis outbreak in Kent has been remembered as an "incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent" student. Amelia McIlroy, headteacher at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, paid tribute to the Year 13 student, who she named as Juliette. Mid- Kent has become the centre of an outbreak that caused the death of the sixth form pupil in Faversham and a student about 10 miles away at the University of Kent in Canterbury. A further 11 people were taken ill with symptoms of the disease, the UK Health Security Agency said. Meningitis outbreak live updates "It is with great sadness that we are confirming the loss of Juliette, a much loved and treasured member of our school community," Ms McIlroy said on Monday. "Juliette was a student at our school for seven years. She was incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent and she loved our school and was very happy here. More on Health Meningitis outbreak latest: Hundreds of masked Kent university students queue for antibiotics University student and sixth form pupil die as 11 fall ill in meningitis outbreak Prostate cancer screening just as good as routine breast cancer checks, study says - so will change happen? Related Topics: Health Kent Meningitis "Juliette embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy and her humour and positivity were captivating." Ms McIlroy said the school in Faversham, near Canterbury, has been working closely with the UKHSA. She added that the community's "love and thoughts" were with Juliette's family and friends. "She was a genuinely caring and attentive lis...