Experts address school bullying at Redland forum after death of Ella Catley-Crawford

A forum to stamp out student bullying after the tragic death of schoolgirl Ella Catley-Crawford, will discuss state plans for mandatory reporting of school incidents.

Schoolgirl Ella Catley-Crawford attended Lourdes Hill College before changing to Redlands College.

• Victims of bullying scourge

A forum on stamping out school bullying will be held next week in the wake of the tragic death of bayside schoolgirl Ella Catley-Crawford and as the state government prepares to discuss mandatory reporting of incidents in schools.

The forum, organised by Redland Community Centre will provide families and students with an opportunity to hear from experts and ask questions.

Centre chief executive Allison Wicks said bullying remained poorly understood and was challenging to eradicate.

“It really takes its toll on youth mental health and too often is not reported or recognised,” she said.

The forum will feature QUT bullying expert Professor Marilyn Campbell as a speaker and will be structured into four topics, each lasting 10 minutes.

Discussions will cover defining bullying, the roles of government and schools, emerging trends, and community-driven interventions.

Redlands College student Ella Catley-Crawford, 12, had attended Lourdes Hill.

Attendees will also have time for questions.

More details are available on the Redland Community Centre Facebook page.

In addition to the forum, Redland leaders are planning to establish a trust fund to provide free, immediate health services for bullied students and those displaying aggressive behaviour.

The initiative was in response to Ella’s tragic death.

The proposed trust aims to offer swift access to essential mental health support during times of crisis.

Once established, it will be available to families across all Redland schools at no cost, ensuring that those affected by bullying and the perpetrators can receive priority medical and health care appointments without waiting periods or additional financial burden.

The trust will cover out-of-pocket expenses for counselling and psychological care, with families able to connect directly with Redland psychological services.

Local psychological and counselling providers have already pledged support, offering discounted rates and prioritised appointment slots for the trust’s beneficiaries.

QUT professor in the school of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education Marilyn Campbell will address the forum on bullying. Picture: QUT

Counselling sessions will be available for both victims of bullying and perpetrators, aiming to address the root causes of bullying and provide therapeutic support for all involved.

The approach will enable parents, equipped with a clinical report from counsellors, to make informed decisions about their next steps, whether that involves contacting schools, authorities, or seeking additional support.

The initiative is seen as a potential model for wider implementation across Queensland, with state education officials considering mandatory bullying reports in schools.

Under this policy, once a bullying complaint is filed, a consultant or counsellor would assess the situation and prepare a report to be shared with both the school and the parents, fostering transparency and accountability.

The forum will also explore forming an online school reference group consisting of students from local high schools.

The group aims to create a supportive network for students to share their experiences and seek peer advice, using social media to foster a positive and collaborative space.

■ The forum will take place in the IEC Building at Alexandra Hills State High School on Tuesday, November 26 at 5pm.

RSVP through the Redland Community Centre.