Santa Sabina College’s statement on Charlotte’s suicide slammed by mother of Tilly Rosewarne

The mother of a teenage girl who took her life after being bullied has slammed a prestigious Sydney Catholic school for its statement following the suicide of a 12-year-old pupil, saying it failed her and her family.

• ‘Mama, please share my story’: Charlotte’s final wish

The mother of a teenage girl who took her life after being bullied has slammed a prestigious Sydney Catholic school for its statement following the suicide of a 12-year-old pupil, saying it failed her and her family.

Emma Mason, mum of 15-year-old bullying victim Tilly Rosewarne, said the statement from Santa Sabina College defending itself following the death of Year 7 student Charlotte “felt disingenuous”.

“It fails Charlotte, it fails her family, but it also fails the whole community,” said Ms Mason (inset right), whose daughter died by suicide in 2022 after fake nudes of her were posted on social media.

“This could’ve been an opportunity for Santa Sabina to be a leader, for them to bring in the experts, and have a full and frank investigation.

“I felt it was disrespectful to the memory of Charlotte, to the trauma that this child has experienced.”

Emma Mason, mother of Tilly Rosewarne, who died by suicide after a fake nude image was shared on Snapchat. Picture: Richard Dobson

12-year-old Charlotte, a year 7 student at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, died by suicide on September 9.

Charlotte’s parents have been left frustrated by Santa Sabina’s statement, in which the Strathfield school said families had written “objecting to the portrayal of our College as failing to deal with matters that cause distress amongst our students”, with Charlotte’s father telling 2GB’s Ben Fordham he was “disappointed, to say the least”.

“I’m sure they’ve had some communication and some support, Ben, but those mothers that have given that school support, no doubt they will be planning on picking their daughter up from school today, and we are not,” Mat said.

Tilly was just 15 years old when she took her own life after years of bullying.

Charlotte with her baby brother Will.

The statement from Santa Sabina’s principal Paulina Skerman also pointed to the school’s Catholic values and noted its anti-bullying policy – which “students and our families are highly informed on” – is on its website.

Mental health experts have also criticised the private school’s response after Charlotte left a suicide note saying she had been bullied there since Year 5.

Clinical psychologist Adam Guastella said the statement, which highlighted “overwhelming” support for the school from families, lacked any acknowledgment that Charlotte’s bullying allegations could have been dealt with differently.

Instead, the school “needs to acknowledge the pain and the tragedy”, he said, as well as the need for “a really thorough review, and a forensic investigation of why this has happened”.

“In the middle of crisis – and this is certainly a crisis – (this statement) is really about trying to contain a lot of the emotion,” Dr Guastella said.

Professor Adam Guastella, Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health at the University of Sydney.

“There’s a bit of determination (in the statement) that says ‘we did everything we could’, but it’s too early for the community to hear that.

“It should always come from a place of recognising that this girl clearly needed more support.”

Psychologist and director of ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies Daryl Higgins said it is “often the case” that schools need a “reality check” if they do not believe bullying occurs.

Professor Daryl Higgins, the director of ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies

“We know that this is a really big issue, that young people feel unsafe from other children, so if you’re not hearing about it in … your school, then I would question, are you actually attuned to the voices of the children in your care,” Professor Higgins said.

“We have to be driving a prevention agenda.”

Statement made by Santa Sabina College principal, Paulina Skerman, on Sunday following The Sunday Telegraph’s interview with Charlotte’s parents Kelly and Mat.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car declined to comment on the school’s statements but said Charlotte’s death has been “devastating”, offering “all support” for the school community.

The Daily Telegraph approached the Sydney Catholic diocese and Archbishop Anthony Fisher, but they declined to comment.

Ms Skerman did not respond to the concerns of Ms Mason and Dr Guastella.

“At this time, the College is grieving the loss of Charlotte and it is essential that we respect the privacy of all students and their families,” she said in a statement.

If this story raised concerns for you, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131114.

Young people under the age of 25 can access free, confidential counselling online or by phone through Kids Helpline: Call 1800 551 800 or go to kidshelpline.com.au

Originally published as Santa Sabina College’s statement on Charlotte’s suicide slammed by mother of Tilly Rosewarne