Halls Head Primary School advises parents on helping students through ‘tragic loss’ of twin classmates

Classmates of twin girls killed in a car crash in the Wheatbelt are being supported by their Mandurah school after the tragic deaths, with the principal writing to parents to inform them of the “very sad news”. Seven-year-old sisters Macey and Riley, who were in Year 3 at Halls Head Primary School, died after a Toyota Camry sedan they were travelling in left Great Eastern Highway near Carrabin about 11am on Sunday. The car smashed into a tree and the seatbelts the girls were wearing were not enough to save them. Their 31-year-old mother, Rachel Van Oyen, was taken by St John WA to Merredin Hospital but was discharged later the same day. Halls Head PS principal Peter Beckingham offered condolences to the family of the much-loved sisters while reassuring parents that staff would be available to support their children. “I write to you with some very sad news,” he said in a letter distributed by the school on Monday. “Two of our current Year 3 students have died over the weekend. “The family have asked not to be contacted and we acknowledge and respect their privacy. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends as they grieve this tragic loss.” Mr Beckingham advised parents that “at times like these” it was helpful for students to continue their normal routines “as much as possible”, including attending school and their usual activities outside school. “You may be concerned about your child’s reactions or feelings about this news,” he wrote. “Your child may be upset, even if they did not know the students. We encourage you to give your child opportunities to talk about how they are feeling.” The letter included links to resources to help parents discuss grief and sudden loss, reassuring them that children benefit from being given honest, simple and developmentally appropriate information. Education Department director-general Lisa Rodgers reiterated that support would be provided to staff and students at Halls Head Primary for “as long as it is needed”. “We offer our deepest condolences to the family during this very sad and difficult time,” she said. “We are respecting their privacy.” Kalgoorlie MP Ali Kent on Tuesday told Parliament she wanted to put on record her sympathy for the family of the two little girls. “There’s a lot of links to Kalgoorlie,” she said. “They were travelling back from Kalgoorlie. A lot of people know the family there. I myself know the grandad and grandmother who are suffering an unspeakable loss now.” Road Safety Minister David Michael said news of the accident had left him feeling “numb”, while Opposition leader Shane Love gave his condolences to “all those affected”. Tributes also flowed on social media, with one person commenting: “These girls were absolutely gorgeous human beings.” Another said while they were saddened two children had lost their lives, they also felt “deeply heartbroken” for the “devastating ripple effect” the tragedy would have on their parents and grandparents. The girls appeared completely adored by their family, with their grandmother in 2020 describing the pair as “gorgeous, funny, cheeky, magical little twins”. “True sunshine souls who bring so much joy to their entire family,” she wrote. At a media conference on Monday, Det-Sen. Sgt Adam Matson, of the major crash squad, said the death of the two girls was devastating. “The loss of any life on WA roads is an absolute tragedy but to lose the lives of two young seven-year-old girls in the one instance is extremely heartbreaking,” he said.