IN his mother's own words, Aaron Jones was "a little bit different".

And it was that difference that led to his death after a fight with bullies yestrerday, according to grief-stricken Tracey Jones.

Yesterday she said her son had been quieter than other boys and was teased at school and around their neighbourhood of Minto in Sydney's southwest.

Aaron, 16, collapsed during a punch-up with another teenage boy on Wednesday in Durham St, just 50m from the family home.

Both boys were students at Sarah Redfern High School in Minto.

"I don't believe he was an angel by any stretch of the imagination," Ms Jones said.

"But generally he was a good kid; he didn't go around starting fights; he kept to himself."

Ms Jones said she was unsure what sparked the fight and police believe both boys threw punches.

But she appealed for parents to teach their children violence was not a solution to any problem.

"Please teach your kids that fighting doesn't work," she said.

"My son was in a fight and he ended up dead."

Aaron was the fourth of five children, liked computer games and enjoyed watching football.

He was this week taking part in a work experience program as part of his Year 10 studies.

Ms Jones said she told the school two years ago that Aaron was being bullied, but also said she was unsure what they could have done to stop it.

Students laid flowers at the scene yesterday and hugged as they said a special prayer for him.

David Mati, 16, paid his respects by draping a necklace over the cross and said he would miss his friend.

"Not everyone at school really liked him but he put up with everyone," he said.

"I liked that every time I asked him for something, like a pen, he would just give it with a smile."

Police said there had been continuing tension between the two boys.

"We have been made aware of problems between the two. For how long that has been going we are not sure," Chief Superintendent Mark Brett said. Until police establish a cause of death no charges will be laid, he added.