Summit Magazine December 2005 - International School Moshi

Laurence was very popularwith his classmates, hereare some of theirthoughts:Days go by and birds fly by buteverything feels everlasting. LukeYou really encouraged us to pushourselves to get to the top of the RiftValley Wall. He was a very determinedboy. BenedettaLaurence was a really cool friend and hewas kind to everyone. AmaarWhen I first came to the school I didn’tknow anyone in the class and I didn’tknow how to speak English. I sat withLaurence and he always made me laughwhen he was counting in French. NellyLaurence was a really close friend to me.He was always kind and generous and hewould never tease or insult people.ImranI remember when he was dressed up tolook like Malfoy in Harry Potter andwhen everyone was laughing with him.JoelLaurence achieved a very good thing.He didn’t know how to read before, hehad trouble, but then he started readinga lot, even Paul Jennings books. ShaziaOur FriendIt is with great sadness that we announce the passingaway of Laurence Mason, a student in P6 in ArushaCampus, who was killed in a car accident onWednesday, 6th July. Our thoughts and deepestsympathies go out to his parents Charlie and Serenaand to his brother Hugo (P4).Laurence Mason joined the Primary School at ISM -Arusha Campus during the 2003/4 school year. It wasimmediately apparent to all of us that Laurence wasa very special person. He viewed the world from hisown distinctive and original perspective. His love ofpeople and acceptance of all differences was alwaysexpressed with warmth and charm, which quicklyendeared him to children and adults alike. He wasintuitive and sensitive to the needs of others andnaturally assumed the role of protector when he sawthe need.It was always impressive to watch Laurence, withstrength and determination, persevere with a positiveattitude and a sense of humour in dealing with thechallenges and difficulties that a strong case ofdyslexia presented him with on a daily basis. Laurencewas amazingly open about this and truly recognizedit as an important part of who he was. This attitudeof acceptance of himself allowed him to acceptothers and he demonstrated an ability to support andencourage, never saying a hurtful word to others.Laurence was a true individual who surprised usregularly and made us laugh with him while stillmaintaining a sense of dependability and reliabilitywhich made him a good friend, a dependablestudent and a caring person. He filled a room with hishuge smile and his genuine love of life. He leaves aspace in our school community which will remain, asit should, to remind us of how fortunate we all wereto have met him and worked with him; a privilegeindeed!Laurence Mason - we will remember you with loveand laughter.Natalie Croome - Laurence's class teacher27Laurence MasonISMHe used to call himself Einstein!Rukaiya