A young woman is suing the high school she attended, alleging she did not have to deal with the incessant bullying that caused her disappointing graduation results.
A report from the Sydney Morning Herald said Aimee Clifton has filed an affidavit in the NSW Supreme Court over a claim against the Blue Mountains Grammar School (BMGS) in Wentworth Falls, near Katoomba NSW, for almost $600,000.
In the claim, Ms Clifton alleges that staff failed to protect her from the relentless bullying she faced while attending the school between 2017 and 2022.
She claims that despite being a ‘high achiever’ at school, the bullying led to her achieving an ATAR of 75.85.
Ms Clifton is seeking damages, including lost income from reduced future employment opportunities due to the lower score on the Higher School Certificate.
Aimee Clifton (pictured) is suing her former high school for just under $600,000 over alleged rampant bullying that lowered her ATAR score
Ms Clifton claims her parents filed a complaint about the alleged bullying in 2020, but BMGS only conducted a brief investigation and took no action.
She further claimed the bullying continued, including having her windscreen wipers ripped off, being called a ‘psycho b***h’ and being assaulted at the school’s sports carnival.
The alleged bullying resulted in her having a nervous breakdown, which led to her being hospitalized twice and withdrawing from classes essential for HSC preparation.
‘It ruined my life for months and caused me so much stress. I hope no other girl has to go through this,” she told the BBC Sydney Morning Herald.
Despite the teachers reportedly being aware of the bullying, she claims she received “minimal to zero academic support” after leaving classes.
Ms Clifton subsequently performed ‘very poorly’ in the HSC, despite expectations of a score above 90.
Better ATAR results will help students take more competitive university courses, which Ms Cliften claims she was put off by the bullying.
The year after completing her HSC, Ms Clifton graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Musical Theater from Brent Street, a performing arts studio in Sydney.
Ms Cliften claims her parents informed Blue Mountains Grammar School (pictured), near Katoomba, of the alleged bullying but no action was taken
BMGS’s harassment policy states that the school will “promptly consider all reports of suspected harassment, including bullying” and “attempt to resolve matters.”
‘The school is committed to providing a safe, positive and supportive environment for all; a situation where abuse is reported and responses are quick and effective in changing behavior and repairing relationships,” the policy reads.
The school’s principal since May 2022, Steven Coote, told the publication he could not comment on the claim.
“It is essential to prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved, and that is why we want to proceed with the appropriate professionalism and sensitivity,” he said.
Daily Mail Australia contacted BMGS for comment.