Tributes have come pouring in after an 18-year-old tragically died in a crash just days before her final year exams.
Australian teen Tayla Barber was due to complete her final VCE exam this week – a milestone she was ‘eagerly excited’ to get through.
However, her life was cut short when she was involved in a car accident, leaving staff and students at Notre Dame College in Shepparton, Victoria, ‘heartbroken’.
The school paid tribute to Barber on social media, confirming her ‘unexpected’ death to the community.
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It said: “The Notre Dame College Community are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected death of one of our Year 12 students, Tayla Barber, as a result of a car accident.
“Tayla was to have completed her final VCE exam this week, a milestone she was eagerly excited to achieve. She was a confident, respectful, and kind-hearted young woman who would never shy away from voicing her thoughts and feelings aloud. She always considered the feelings of those closest to her and highly valued her relationships with others.
“Her sudden and unexpected passing has left us profoundly heartbroken at a time of celebration and accomplishment for our Year 12 graduates. We extend our deepest sympathies to Tayla’s family and friends at this time, she will be truly missed.
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“Tayla, may you now rest in the arms of our peaceful loving God.”
Many others came forward to pay their respects on the post, with one commenting: “Absolutely devastated and heartbroken but feel grateful and privileged to have Tayla for the majority of her secondary years.
“To watch her grow in confidence and maturity was a blessing. She was a fair, kind, helpful and beautiful young person that cared for all her friends and especially those in MA from the beginning. Always willing to put her hand up and have a go, encouraging and supporting those around her.
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“You will be truly missed Tayla and my heart goes out to Jenny and the family and those staff that call our students our own because they do become our family especially after so many years.”
Another person who had known Tayla from Year 7 said the news was ‘really heartbreaking’, and that the student had been a ‘gentle soul’.
They wrote: “She was in my PG almost all these years. I am grateful that I saw her smiling face almost every day in these last 6 years. A very mature, genuine, respectful and compassionate person. You will be truly missed Tayla.
“My heartfelt condolences to the family. My prayers and thoughts with you all. Rest in peace dear loving Tayla.”
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One of Tayla’s cousins also said: “I’m still finding it hard to believe that she’s gone. She was a caring and loving person to everyone around her. She will be missed. Fly high Tayla.”
Jess Hardiman