Capital City Academy’s theatre renamed QSB with commemorative plaque to popular murdered schoolboy

Lilian Serunkuma, Quamari's mother, by the commemorative plaque. Picture: Capital City Academy (Image: Archant)

Quamari Serunkuma-Barnes was a pupil at Capital City Academy, in Doyle Gardens, who was fatally stabbed outside its gates on January 23, 2017.

The 15-year-old, whose hero was Bob Marley, was a natural performer and loved to sing.

A plaque dedicating the new QSB Theatre to the youngster was unveiled on Monday.

Principal Marianne Jeanes said: “We are very pleased to be renaming our theatre in honour of Quamari Serunkuma-Barnes.

Quamari Barnes (Image: Archant)

“This was a suggestion made by some of Quamari’s friends and relatives due to the huge part that the performing arts played in Quamari’s life.”

She added: “Quamari participated in many school productions, concerts and dance performances.

“Naming the QSB Theatre is a fitting tribute to his abilities and dedication to the arts.

“The new graphic represents many aspects of the arts that our students, including Quamari, enjoy – and the new star curtain will add a sparkle to future performances.”

Popular and hard-working, Quamari aimed to get top marks in his GCSEs before he was stabbed outside the gates of his school.

His 15-year-old killer is serving life with a minimum of 12 years.

Thousands turned out for his funeral, filling the Sacred Heart Church, in Quex Road.

A memorial festival in his name, organised by his parents, drew a huge crowd in July.

Lilian Serunkuma, Quamari’s mother, said: “I’m really glad the school is recognising Quamari in such an appropriate way, which is through what he loved the most – theatre, drama, all the arts.

“It also all goes in part of the support that the school has offered us.

“It’s very fitting and it shows how they did understand Quamari – by picking the most appropriate way to remember him.”