Former Stuartholme School student reveals her bullying trauma and sends message of hope

A former student of Brisbane’s Stuartholme School who twice tried to kill herself due to bullying has spoken out about her abuse and revealed the “hell” she endured.

A former student says she tried to self harm during her time at Stuartholme School, Toowong. Picture: Liam Kidston

A former private school girl who twice tried to kill herself due to bullying has spoken out about her abuse, with a message to other victims: “Life is worth living”.

The 23-year-old, who endured cruel taunts while at Brisbane’s Stuartholme School, wants to reassure young people struggling with their mental health that “there is light, even in the darkest tunnel”.

“I want kids to know that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary feeling – it does get better on the other side, so reach out for help, you can get through this,” she said.

The woman says she was bullied from the time she started at the Toowong Catholic girls’ school in 2014 to her departure in term three of 2015.

“Years 8 and 9 were hell,” she said, declining to be named due to concerns around her present employment.

“I was very overweight, and when we were doing swimming, they’d say, ‘Is that a whale jumping into the pool?’

“Any time I would walk past them, they’d say things like, ‘An earthquake is about to happen’.

The 23-year-old says she endured cruel taunts during her schooling.

“I had braces and they’d say the gap between my front teeth was big enough that a carrot could fit through it.

“One also said she was going to bash me; I was very afraid.”

She said the bullying continued online, with students creating fake Instagram accounts in her name and children from other schools, including Indooroopilly High and Kenmore High, joining in.

But she said the worst came when notes were passed around Stuartholme, saying, “She (name) should go kill herself”.

The same awful message was written in Sharpie pen on the doors of the school toilets, she said.

At age 13, she attempted suicide on campus.

Stuartholme School, Toowong. Picture: Liam Kidston

The following year, she attempted suicide again, at home in The Gap, and was rushed to hospital.

The teen, who was receiving private counselling throughout her ordeal, claimed Stuartholme was aware of the bullying and spoke to the alleged bullies and their parents but the abuse continued.

At age 15 she moved to Mt Maria College, a co-ed Catholic school in Mitchelton.

“I was actually happy for the first time in ages, and in Year 12 I decided I wanted to make a difference so I started a lunchtime club for girls and boys who were being bullied,” she said.

“We’d do painting, and there would be school counsellors as well as teachers we could talk to.”

She also got off social media.

From weighing 110kg in Year 9 – “food was my coping mechanism” – the woman now weighs 69kg and goes to the gym regularly.

She has moved to Melbourne, partly to put a physical barrier between herself and the students she claims bullied her.

“I’ve seen them out at bars in Brisbane and I’ve held my head high and walked past them, but I still suffer trauma,” she said.

“I really want kids to know there is help available, including free counselling like Lifeline, and no matter how dark the tunnel is, there is light at the end.”

Stuartholme School principal Daniel Crump, appointed in 2024, told The Courier-Mail the school was “committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment”.

“We prioritise the wellbeing of every student, embracing a zero-tolerance approach to bullying in all forms,” Mr Crump said.

“Our extensive educational programs on respectful relationships and online safety, equip students with the skills needed for a supportive and safe community. We work with parents to strengthen our shared commitment to nurturing and safeguarding the holistic growth of each young person in our care.”