Upper Coomera State College student pulled from school by mother after threats from bullies

A Gold Coast mum has removed her child from school after what she says has been months of relentless bullying. This is what the bullies allegedly told her son.

Upper Coomera State College. Picture: Amber MacPherson.

A Gold Coast mother says she has been forced to keep her child out of school after he was repeatedly threatened and told to “kill himself” by bullies.

The terrified mum said she had contacted Upper Coomera State College about the abuse endured by her 14-year-old son, including threats from a social media account which appeared to be run by another student.

However she had been disappointed by their response, with one staff member allegedly telling her it was “how kids talk to each other, there’s nothing to worry about” and that it was “out of the school’s jurisdiction”.

“My son has been told to go kill himself multiple times,” she said.

“He has received death threats, physical threats and has had his photo posted online telling him to ‘go kill yourself’.”

The boy has been pulled out of school after threats from bullies. Picture: iStock.

The mother said the school offered to put her child into an isolated room used for poorly behaved students to “keep him away” from the alleged bullies rather than “punish” the other students.

She has now kept her son out of school for three weeks out of fear for his physical safety and mental wellbeing.

In response to questions from the Bulletin about the case, a Department of Education spokesperson said the school was committed to ensuring the “safety and wellbeing” of every student.

“The concerns raised by the family around bullying and student behaviour are being taken

seriously. Upper Coomera State College has investigated these concerns, has been in

regular contact with the student’s family and continue to offer ongoing support,” the spokesperson said.

“Behaviour expectations of students extend to the online environment and schools work with

students about the appropriate use of technology and to build their understanding of the

impacts of inappropriate behaviours online.

“All Queensland state schools are required to have a Student Code of Conduct that explicitly

details how the school will work to prevent and respond to bullying and cyber-bullying.”

Following the Bulletin’s questions, the school has since reached out again to the mum in an attempt to resolve the matter.