A Sydney school accused of ignoring allegations of relentless bullying that caused a student to take her own life says it has received support from a number of parents objecting to the “portrayal” of the school following the tragic incident.
Charlotte O’Brien, 12, died in an act of self-harm on September 9 after allegedly suffering years of torment and harassment at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield and on social media.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Family of Charlotte O’Brien open up about their unimaginable loss because it was their daughter’s final wish.
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The Year 7 student’s family said they raised bullying concerns multiple times with teachers at the college and although the school investigated, no further action was taken.
In her goodbye note, Charlotte specifically mentioned the bullying she received at the school, her parents said.
Santa Sabina College previously said “claims” surrounding the teenager’s death were “new to the college and are not consistent with our records”.
In a new statement, the principal of the all-girls Catholic Dominican school said it had received a number of supportive messages and emails from families following the tragedy.
Paulina Skerman said many parents wrote about their children feeling “safe and cared for” at the school and opposed the “portrayal of our college as failing to deal with matters that cause distress amongst our students”.
“These matters are always complex and we always work in partnerships with families to support our students,” she said.
Charlotte’s mother Kelly previously said she had sent several emails to the school expressing concern and asking for problems to be addressed.
The first of these emails was sent in August 2022, in which Kelly said she “begged” the school to intervene.
Skerman said the school’s anti-bullying policy was available on its website and students and families were “highly informed”.
“They clearly demonstrate the college’s approach to dealing swiftly and appropriately with any concerns raised,” she said.
“To say that there is a culture of bullying at the college goes against the very fabric that holds our community together.
“Every staff member at the school holds the care of your child close to our hearts and this has been reflected in the number of messages I have received from our families.”
The school is continuing to support Charlotte’s family through their “unimaginable grief”, Skerman said, and was working with youth mental health foundation Headspace.
Charlotte’s final words
Charlotte’s parents have shared the note their little girl left for them before she died, which detailed her final wishes.
Her mother Kelly said one of the things she wrote about was her baby brother Will.
“I saw little pink writing saying ‘please mama, live for Will because I can’t anymore’.”
Charlotte wrote about the bullying she had experienced at school but said she wanted her story to be shared to help raise awareness.
“One day she just burst into tears and she said ‘everybody hates me. I’m a monster. I’ve got no friends. They’re so mean to me. They hate me. They hate me. Everyone’s mean to me’,” Kelly said.
Psychologist Jacqui Manning said the immense impact of friendships, or a lack thereof, on a child could be underestimated.
“Children are learning their way about how to be part of a tribe and for that period of time in their lives it feels the most important thing in the world,” she told 7NEWS.
Charlotte’s family is now calling on all schools across the state to have a hard conversation about their policies on bullying, claiming their daughter was broken down over several years because toxic behaviour was allowed to fester.
“I don’t car if it’s a public school, a private school, independent or Catholic,” Charlotte’s father Mat said.
“You have a duty of care for those kids and you have to step in as an adult.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.