School reaction: The atmosphere in Killina Presentation Secondary School was one of "shock and numbness" yesterday, according to its acting principal, Carthagena Minnock.
She heard about the accident early yesterday when she received a phone call from a parent who was at the scene.
"The students were upset but we gathered the students together early in the day and we gave the information, the facts as we knew them at the time."
Ms Minnock said she believed it helped the students to know they were being kept informed as much as possible.
Psychological services from the National Educational Psychological Service and the Health Service Executive were being put in place at the school yesterday and counselling will be available to students and staff in the coming days.
Ms Minnock said the students were told they would experience different reactions, including sadness, loss and despair.
"All those reactions are valid. As a school community and with the help of outside services we will support each other through this, and of course our thoughts are with the family of the student who has passed away and those who were injured."
Some parents decided to take their children from the school yesterday and that reaction was understandable, Ms Minnock said.
However, most students remained in the school, gathering in small groups and talking to teachers and counsellors.
The focal point of the day was an emotional prayer service, which was held in the school in the afternoon.
The service was held in memory of Michael White, the 15-year-old pupil who died in the crash, but prayers were said for everyone involved, particularly those still being treated in hospital in Tullamore.
Killina Presentation Secondary School is a 461-pupil co-educational school outside Rahan, a small village between Tullamore and Clara.
Ms Minnock asked the media to avoid intruding into people's lives: "It's a very sensitive time and I would ask on behalf of the board of management and the staff and the students that the privacy of those involved will be respected."
Alex Carroll, clinical psychologist with the Health Service Executive, said "individual and group" counselling would be available to students. "We are also organising group counselling for parents to advise them how to deal with the aftermath."
Last night the National Parents' Council called for paid supervision on all school buses.
A spokesman said the council had major concerns about the safety of children on both privately operated buses and on Department of Education funded buses.
"On all buses it is essential that supervision is provided," he said. "Belts are supposed to be fitted to school buses by the end of the year, but who is going to see that they are worn?"
He said bus drivers often had to deal with trouble from a minority of children.
"Everybody involved needs to sit down and discuss this issue in a calm manner."
