PUPILS have returned from a school skiing trip which ended in tragedy after a teacher died.
Staff and students returned to Christ the King School, Arnold, at around 8.30pm yesterday.
The pupils had been due to spend the week in Matrei in the Austrian Tyrol but the trip was cut short after the death of IT teacher Jonathan Taylor.
He is believed to have died on his way home from a night out. Police said he suffered a head injury after falling from a three-metre-high wall at 3am on Sunday.
Coaches, with the group of 48 pupils aged 14 and 15, arrived back at the school in Dalton Drive.
A waiting parent, Arthur Coates, whose son Elliot, 14, was on the trip, said: "My blood ran cold when I got the call from the vice principal because I thought something had happened to Elliot. But he reassured me and let me know what had happened. It's very sad."
Earlier in the day a small crowd of students and parents gathered at the school to lay flowers. Patricia Weselak, 15, of St Ann's, who is in Year 9, said: "This is such a tragedy. Mr Taylor was such a funny and inspiring teacher and he was always positive."
Her friend Tori Benson, 15, had been taught by Mr Taylor. As she laid her bouquet at the school door she said: "He was a very happy and loyal person, very friendly and full of life. He always had a smile on his face."
Mr Taylor died on the first day of what was due to be a week-long trip.
Notts county councillor for Arnold North, Ged Clarke, said the accident had come as a "dreadful shock".
He said: "One of my friend's sons was on the trip. They were all looking forward to it and had just got there when this tragedy struck."
Also laying flowers at the school yesterday was Aleah Oliver, 15, who said: "Mr Taylor was one of those teachers who you knew really cared about you. He had only been here a year but he made a big mark."
And Michael Sutcliffe, who is in year 8, e-mailed the Post with his tribute to Mr Taylor.
He said: "He was so kind and great fun and a brilliant teacher who had lots of patience and would spend his own time after school to help us. I send my condolences to Mr Taylor's family and friends and I will keep them in my prayers."
And Ceion Rogers, 12, also in Year 8, said via e-mail: "I will miss you and I'm sure everyone else will too. Bye sir. I'll pray for you."
County councillor Philip Owen added: "The thoughts of myself and officers at the council are with the family of the deceased teacher."
Mr Taylor, 44, is believed to have worked at the Roman Catholic school for about a year and previously taught at Garibaldi College in Mansfield. He lived in Arnold with his wife.