A school has apologized to the family of a 12-year-old girl who committed suicide following criticism over the removal of her memorial and criticism of the principal’s handling of the situation.
Year 7 student Charlotte O’Brien took her own life in September after being relentlessly bullied while attending Santa Sabina Catholic School in the western Sydney suburb of Strathfield.
After her death, Charlotte’s family created a memorial near the school, but it was removed by the school days later, leaving her loved ones devastated.
Last week, director Paulina Skerman initially defended the decision, citing advice from mental health experts at Headspace.
“On the advice of mental health experts, including Headspace, who are working with the College, we have removed the monument due to concerns raised about the impact it could have on other young people,” Director Kerman said.
But 2GB Sydney breakfast host Ben Fordham contacted Headspace, who questioned the director’s version of events.
“Headspace has not recommended that Santa Sabina or Paulina Skerman remove the monument honoring Charlotte. To say that it is is an outright lie,” Fordham told his listeners Friday morning.
He added: ‘It never happened. Headspace did not advise Paulina Skerman or anyone else in Santa Sabina to remove it.”
The Year 7 student tragically died by suicide in September
Following the 12-year-old’s tragic death, Charlotte’s heartbroken family set up a memorial in a tree near the school with a small memorial, photo and flowers (photo: Charlotte’s grandfather, Bill, pictured at the memorial)
But the shrine was mysteriously removed just a few days later, leaving her heartbroken family devastated (pictured)
After Fordham’s revelations last week, the school apologized Monday morning.
“We are devastated for Charlotte’s family and friends, and we recognize that some of the college’s initial statements to the media were inadequate and hurtful.
‘We apologize for this to Charlotte’s family. It was never our intention to add to their pain.
“We recognize that our efforts have sometimes fallen short, and we sincerely apologize for that.
“The choice to remove the public monument was a difficult one as we balanced the desire to honor Charlotte’s memory with our responsibility to prevent further harm to students.
‘Ms Skerman was grateful to be able to visit Charlotte’s parents, Kelly and Matt, to apologize to them in person.
‘We are committed to working together to create a permanent memorial in Charlotte’s memory. She will not be forgotten.’
Charlotte’s family was critical of Santa Sabrina College after her death.
They claim the school could have done more to stop the bullying Charlotte experienced before she took her own life, despite the issue being raised several times.
Paulina Skerman (photo), principal of Santa Sabina, has personally apologized to the family of Charlotte O’Brien
It follows 2GB presenter Ben Fordham exposing that the school’s reasoning for removing the monument was an ‘outright lie’
“She wrote a suicide note specifically mentioning that she was bullied at school,” says Charlotte’s mother.
‘She said life was too hard for her to continue.
‘When the most recent case of bullying was raised, the school simply said it had been investigated, but the girls denied this. That’s it. Case closed. Go on.
“Well, my beautiful daughter’s life doesn’t go on and I’ll never be able to say goodbye.
“These issues cannot be swept under the rug. I also won’t let my daughter’s memory be swept under the rug.
‘How many more children have to lose their lives before they get it? How many parents have to feel the pain of never being able to pick up their child from school before they get it?
“We are broken forever.”
They also criticized the school’s response following Charlotte’s death, with Mat stating that it took weeks to arrange a meeting with principal Skerman.
When the meeting finally took place, they claim they were fired.
“That glimmer of hope that something positive would come out of that meeting was dashed when we arrived,” he said.
‘We had to navigate the school grounds surrounded by other girls in their school uniforms, knowing we will never see our daughter again. That was incredibly difficult for us,” he said.
A memorial for Charlotte (pictured) outside the school was removed on Monday, further fueling her parents’ grief
“We got there and met the director. When I shared the feedback, she wasn’t interested in it. The feedback was interrupted. A discount was given. People did not agree.
‘I was sitting across the room from a lady (the director) who showed no emotion or empathy at all for me and the rest of the family.’
Asked whether the director had offered any form of apology for their daughter’s death, Mr O’Brien said: “There was no accountability at all.”
‘The questions we wanted answered were simply not answered at all. We had to show ourselves outside the school premises,” he said.
Santa Sabina College previously defended its approach to bullying, saying its anti-bullying policy was available on its website.
“Over the past week, I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails and messages from our families saying their children feel safe and cared for at Santa Sabina College,” said Principal Skerman.
She said parents “objected to the portrayal of our college as failing to address issues that cause problems among our students.”
Assistance is available from LIFELINE AUSTRALIA 13 11 14 BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 46 36