Oropi School students and teachers are heartbroken following the death of their school cat Colin who has been remembered for 'bringing the community together”.

Written tributes have poured in for the ‘iconic' pet who was hit by a car on Oropi Rd last Wednesday.

School principal Andrew King says the school community needs some time to grieve the death of Colin who had become part of the school's furniture over the years.

"He was part of the furniture, our little mascot and a very special school pet."

A tree has been planted on the school grounds as a way to remember Colin, with a bench and plaque being installed underneath.

Colin helped create a strong sense of community and togetherness within the school, says Andrew.

'Having a school pet was really good in terms of developing our whole school culture – he was our mascot and our messenger. It was a way of bringing our community together.”

He became the school pet about five years ago after turning up on school grounds hungry, says Andrew.

"We thought he was a stray cat. We fed him and he decided to hang out with the kids in the playground.

'Then he made a home inside one of the classrooms.

"After that, the kids made him a hut and a bed. Everyone was scheduled to take turns feeding him. He would turn up to all our events like Athletics Day, and Calf Club Day.

Andrew reflects on Colin's extroverted personality, saying it was like he knew it was his job to welcome everybody.

'When we had visitors, he would go and sit in the staffroom with them. After school, he would often do things like go out to the crossing and sit in the middle of the road and he would greet the parents as well.”

Members of the community took to Oropi School Facebook page last week expressing their heartbreak over Colin's death.

'Farewell sweet Colin. Brings tears to my eyes,” one person wrote.

'So sad to hear. He has well and truly left his mark on the children and the school. RIP super cat Colin,” another added.

The school has hosted several fundraising events for Colin's vet treatment, including a school disco when he got quite sick two years ago.

Due to Alert Level 2 restrictions, a school-wide memorial will not go ahead. But Andrew says classes will be able to visit Colin's tree over the next week to pay tribute.