TRIBUTES have flooded in to a 'warm and wonderful' headmistress who welcomed every one of her pupils by name each morning.

Mum-of-four Ally Mullany, who died following in a head on collision on Sunday morning, was head at St Joseph’s Catholic Combined School in Parkstone, where families flocked to pay their respects yesterday.

Parents with their young children laid flowers and handmade cards at the entrance to the school, comforting and supporting each other in their grief.

A garland of drawings and messages attached to railings outside by two sisters said “I loved you and I will always love you” and “I felt safe when I could see you.” Other notes told of how much Mrs Mullany was loved – and how much she will be missed.

At the school gates parents spoke of their shock at the loss of a ‘vibrant’ and ‘amazing’ woman, known for her bright hair and warm welcome each morning, who was so special to them and their children.

Gary Stout, whose daughter is in year two at St Joseph’s, said: “She was amazing. I think she was a beacon; one of a kind really. For me she was a different class of teacher – very warm. It’s such a shock.”

Kata Kalbarczy laid flowers with her six-year-old son Szymon, who started at the school in September.

She said: “We heard the news yesterday and it’s really shocked us. And there are two children still in hospital – it’s so sad. We told our son yesterday and he asked where she'd gone – we told him she’d gone to heaven.”

A tearful parent and dinner lady, who preferred not to be named, said: “She was just wonderful, absolutely wonderful. She turned the school around.

“The children all loved her – and she knew every child by name, and even their siblings who didn’t go to the school. “There was always a smile and a good morning for everyone as they walked through the gate. She was absolutely fantastic.”

Charly Pepper laid flowers with her five year old son Alex.

She said: “She was amazing.

“She was here every morning with her bright pink hair – she was so funky and lively.”

Ally, 50 was appointed head at St Joseph's in April 2008.

The school was closed yesterday as a mark of respect, while teachers gathered inside to discuss how best to support the children, who returned to class today.

A book of condolences has been opened for parents and staff within the school, and another one for the wider community at St Joseph's Church.

Peter Herbert, headteacher at Moordown St Johns primary school in Bournemouth, where Ally was deputy head from 2004 until 2008, said: “Although Ally was a school leader, responsible for many exciting curriculum innovations and events, she was first and foremost a teacher who had a passion to see children enjoying their learning and growing in mind, spirit.

“Ally inspired teachers to be creative and adventurous in their approaches to teaching, always seeing the funny side to life and she always had an apt word of encouragement for everyone.

“She touched many children’s lives whilst at Moordown St Johns and our memories will always be of a bubbly personality,who understood children.

“She was an outstanding colleague and will be sadly missed.”

Chairman of governors at the school Hugh Fogarty said staff had begun the day with a liturgy and reflection on Mrs Mullany, then begun to prepare themselves to support the children as they returned to school with “strength, some faith and a fairly consistent message for them that it's actually ok to be upset.”

He said their faith would help them through adding: “She is now in the arms of Christ. We’ve just got to believe that, carry one believing that, and take the school forward to where she wanted it to be.”

He described her as an outstanding leader, head teacher and teacher, adding: “It's a testament to her that so many of the parents have not only said nice things about her, but also brought their children here to leave tributes. She was inspirational. In the five years she’s been here she’s changed the school up a gear, and moved the school forward hugely.”

He added: “The best epitaph that we can give her is for us to continue her work and get the school to where she was trying to get it to, in memory of her.”

He said the school had received a huge amount of support including from parents, other schools, governors, retired staff members, the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth and Borough of Poole, adding: “It really is the case of the school community and the wider community coming together strongly in adversity.”