Kris Hull speaks out about bullying at Hervey Bay State High School

The father of a teenage girl has spoken out after he said his daughter was relentlessly bullied by between 15 and 20 other students at a Queensland school.

A Hervey Bay father says he fears for his daughter’s safety at Hervey Bay State High School after she became the target of bullies who have harassed her on social media and at her workplace.

Kris Hull said his daughter, who is 15, had been coming home from school in tears “every day” with a group of between 15 and 20 people involved in bullying her.

He suspects the bullying began in group chats on social media and he urged other parents to keep a close eye on what their children were up to.

“It breaks your heart, you can see it when they get home,” Mr Hull said.

“They’re really depressed and you’ve just got to keep an eye on them.”

Mr Hull said he had witnessed first-hand the stress and anxiety the bullying had caused.

“We can see her marks have gone down,” he said.

His daughter wants to be a vet nurse but Mr Hull fears her dreams could be derailed by the bullying.

Concerned dad Kris Hull.

He said they raised the issue with the school.

Mr Hull said two of the teens involved had been suspended as a result of their actions towards his daughter, but that had not stopped the bullying.

While the family uses Google Family Link to monitor their children on social media, Mr Hull said it had not been enough.

Mr Hull said bullies have even turned up at her workplace to harass her.

He would like to see a police officer or a “bullying officer” implemented at the school.

The parents have even considered sending their daughter to another school or homeschooling but said they cannot afford a private school tuition.

Mr Hull also does not believe it should be his daughter who had to leave.

Hervey Bay State High School.

A department of education spokesperson said the school, along with all Queensland state schools, did not tolerate bullying, violence or anti-social behaviour.

“Bullying is addressed regularly within the school community to encourage positive behaviour among students,” the spokesman said.

“The school has worked with the family on a number of occasions to resolve their concerns and the family have indicated they are supportive of the actions taken by the school at a local level.

“All incidents of bullying have been extensively investigated and appropriately actioned in line with the school’s Student Code of Conduct.

“The principal and senior staff remain in contact with family regarding ongoing issues online.

“To date, no report of any physical misconduct has been made to the school.

“The department encourages students, parents and carers to report any cases of bullying or misconduct to their school principal in the first instance, or their closest Department of Education regional office.”