Woonona East Public School was a sea of colour on Friday as children held a Rainbow Day in memory of fellow student Chloe Saxby, who died earlier this week after a long battle with a rare brain disease.
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The entire school dressed in different colours and ribbons, and balloons and rainbows were placed around the fence for all to see.
Lily Mitchelson said Chloe's positive outlook had made a huge impact on her school friends and she had become a big part of all their lives.
"Chloe was such a bright person and being her friends we wanted to make sure we did something she would enjoy," Lily said. "She wouldn't want us to all be sad."
Sibella Keith said Chloe was always happy even though she had Vanishing White Matter Disease.
"We think she was really strong and brave."
Grace Grant was certain Chloe would want them to celebrate her life.
"She had a great smile and was always bright. Despite what she was going through she was always happy and positive."
Abbey Whitehead was involved in the decision to organise the Rainbow Day.
"We wanted to celebrate her life because she meant so much to us. We know she wouldn't want us to be down." Hannah Cavaller said the students wanted to raise as much as they could for Chloe's family and by 2pm they had collected more than $900.
Plans are still being made for a funeral with the family wanting to make the service as intimate as possible while trying to accommodate family, friends and the community.
After a meeting with Parsons Funerals on Friday, an exemption request has been made to ease COVID-19 restrictions on funeral numbers.
Member for Keira Ryan Park started that process on Thursday after being approached by the family.
"Yesterday I made contact with the NSW Health Minister's office seeking an exemption to enable more people to attend the funeral of our very special little angel. The minister is seeking urgent advice on the submission we have made."