Lilie James: Students pen devastating letters to ‘inspirational’ teacher bludgeoned to death by her ex at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney

Devastated students at an elite Sydney school have left heartbreaking letters after a young teacher was brutally beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend.

Water polo coach Lilie James was discovered on October 25 in the gym bathroom of the exclusive St Andrew’s Cathedral School, located in Sydney’s CBD.

The 21-year-old was beaten to death with a hammer by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Paul Thijssen, 24, after ending their whirlwind five-week relationship.

Several hours later, Thijssen called police to make a confession before plunging to his death from the cliffs above Diamond Bay in the Vaucluse, eastern suburbs.

In the days after her death, Mrs James’ students left hundreds of letters, messages, cards and flowers at a makeshift memorial in the school’s foyer.

days after her death, Mrs James’ students left hundreds of letters, messages, cards and flowers at a makeshift memorial in the school’s foyer

Students described Ms James as a ‘coach like no other’, with many describing the young woman as someone with boundless energy and a warmth full of kindness

Students described Ms. James as a “coach like no other,” and many described the young woman as someone with boundless energy and a heart full of kindness.

“Lilie was not just a coach, she was a sister, a friend and a daughter, she was a beacon of inspiration, transforming every training session into a remarkable journey of joy and growth and adding new fun ways to learn skills,” wrote a student. in a letter obtained by The Daily Telegraph.

Another student said Ms. James made every bus ride to and from water polo an “enjoyable and inclusive” experience by creating a “warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone.”

“Lilie had the unique ability to turn sweat and effort into smiles and laughter for everyone involved,” another student wrote.

‘Every training with Lilie was an adventure, a moment to look forward to.’

Others claimed that Mrs. James was a teacher whom any student could rely on to talk to “no matter what it was about.”

Ms James was also described as an incredibly positive and supportive teacher who had a ‘significant impact’ on those she coached.

“She was one of the reasons I loved water polo,” wrote one heartbroken student.

Another student said they felt “privileged” to be taught by Ms. James and wished she would “sleep in heavenly peace.”

Ms James was killed in the staff bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School after returning sports equipment after a session with students.

Investigators believe Ms James’ murder was not a crime of passion, but a premeditated attack by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Thijssen.

Thijssen, a former student at the elite school, was captured on CCTV buying a hammer from a hardware store in the east of the city, not far from his home in Kensington, on the morning of the attack.

Ms James was also described as an incredibly positive and supportive teacher who had a ‘significant impact’ on those she coached

Investigators believe Ms James’ murder was not a crime of passion, but a premeditated attack by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Thijssen

It is understood that the hammer was not the one used to kill Mrs James.

The police suspect that Thijssen had two hammers with him, the other of which may have come from a school storage room.

It is understood the private school hockey instructor used Ms James’ thumb or face to unlock her phone and send a message to her father asking him to pick her up from school.

Several hours later, Thijssen called police to make a confession before plunging to his death from the cliffs above Diamond Bay in the Vaucluse, eastern suburbs.

Police divers managed to recover Thijssen’s bloated and battered body from the rocks below the cliffs at Diamond Bay.