Rhys Jones: Dad and brother attend school assembly

Sep 4 2007

The father and brother of murdered Liverpool 11-year-old Rhys Jones have taken his place at a school assembly.

Stephen, 44, and Owen, 17, attended the Year 7 welcome assembly on what would have been Rhys’s first day at Fazakerley High School.

Rhys was shot by a hooded youth on a BMX bike as he walked across the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth on August 22.

Lasting memorials to Rhys are to be made by both his primary and secondary schools.

And the two friends who were with Rhys when he was murdered are to take centre stage at the England v Israel football match on Saturday.

Fazakerley High headteacher Nick Flemming said Rhys had visited the school several times last year for induction days and was “already part of the class”.

He said: “Rhys had already made friends with some of his new classmates.

“Everyone at the school is deeply upset and our staff will be doing all they can to help pupils through this difficult time.

“We are holding a special assembly welcoming our Year 7 pupils to the school.

“The purpose of the assembly is to offer support to the pupils, many of whom were in Rhys’ class in primary school, and reassure them that staff are on hand if they are in need of counselling or simply someone to talk to.”