There was hardly a dry eye in the hall when Philippa Barrott unveiled a plaque and named the new Midhurst Rother College Sports Hall in memory of her husband Jon.
In a moving ceremony, assistant headteacher Jeff Smith paid tribute to Jon Barrott, who he had known for 27 years during their time together at the former Midhurst Grammar School.
Mr Barrott, who became acting headteacher at MGS, died in February at the age of 48 from pancreatic cancer.
Pupils and staff welcomed members of his close family for the ceremony. His widow Philippa was joined by his father Denis, his brother Tim and his step sons Tom and Chris.
"One of the first things that Jon introduced when he became headteacher was whole school assemblies," said Mr Smith.
"The fact we had a large enough space for the first time to bring the whole school together meant a great deal to the ethos of the school and Jon's vision was to use the whole school assembly to celebrate success.
"It is a very fitting tribute we should celebrate the naming of the sports hall in honour of Mr Barrott."
He was, said Mr Smith, also a very keen Liverpool supporter and went whenever possible to see them play. And at the entrance to the hall there were 48 Liverpool Football Club balloons for each year of his life.
Outside the hall, head girl and head boy Chloe Oram and Scott In released another 100 red balloons into the sunny sky in his memory.
Mrs Barrott unveiled the plaque at the entrance which had the letters YNWA in one corner.
They stand for 'You'll Never Walk Alone' a song written in the l960s , performed by the Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers , and adopted as the official anthem of Liverpool Football Club.
There were tears as Mrs Barrott unveiled the plaque to the sound of her husband's football club anthem.
She also presented an award to sixth former Harry Challen who made the trophy which is presented annually to the winners of the sixth form football match against the staff. Every year without fail Mr Barrott took part in the match.
The hall was blessed by the Rev James Russell vicar of Hunston church where Mr Barrott is buried.
Mr Barrott began his teaching career at MGS in l982 as a PE teacher.
In 1991 he was appointed a head of year and in 1994 he joined the senior leadership team. He progressed through the ranks, becoming deputy headteacher and finally acting head.
He was a key figure in leading the school out of crisis in 2006 to 2007 after it was put into special measures.
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