Heartbreaking details of Sydney schoolgirl’s suicide after alleged ‘bullying’

Family of a 12-year-old Sydney student have spoken out about the bullying she allegedly faced at school before taking her own life.

Family of a young girl who took her own life after allegedly being bullied at a Sydney private school have spoken out to say they won’t let her story be “swept under the carpet”.

Charlotte, 12, was in Year 7 at Santa Sabina College at Strathfield in the city’s inner-west, and wrote in her final note that she felt “life was too difficult” for her to go on.

On Monday 2GB’s Ben Fordham told listeners he was meant to be on leave but “had to be here today” after receiving a heartbreaking statement from Charlotte’s family.

“Hi Ben, earlier this week our family experienced a day that will haunt us for the rest of our lives,” the message read.

“We lost our baby girl in the most awful of circumstances. She was just 12 years old.”

Charlotte took her own life after facing bullying. Picture: Supplied/2GB

Fordham then paused to warn listeners the contents of the letter were “deeply upsetting”, before continuing.

“No words can ever describe what its like for us and it will never be the same again,” the letter continued.

“Charlotte has left such a big hole in our lives, and she’s so deeply, deeply missed.

“The reports you have received are correct. My daughter was bullied by girls that still attend the school today.

“She wrote a goodbye note specifically mentioning the bullying she received at the school.

“She said life was too difficult for her to continue.

“When the most recent case of bullying was raised, the school simply said it was investigated and the girls denied it. That’s it. Case closed. Move on.

“Well my beautiful daughter’s life won’t move on and I’ll never get to say goodbye.

“These issues cannot be swept under the carpet. I will not let my daughter’s memory be swept under the carpet either.

“How many more children need to lose their lives before they get it? How many parents need to feel the pain of never being able to pick up their child from school again before they get it?

“We’re broken forever.”

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2GB host Ben Fordham became emotional while detailing Charlotte’s story. Picture: 2GB

Fordham said another family member had claimed the alleged bullying against Charlotte had been reported to the school for two years.

“My body fills with pain until my heart explodes,” Charlotte had told her mother, 2GB listeners heard.

The young girl was in therapy and being medicated for depression.

“We were doing everything in our power to help her,” the family member said. “She was being let down by her school.

“We were in the process of investigating a new school for Charlotte to attend in the new year.”

Santa Sabina College principal Paulina Skerman issued a message to the school community thanking them for the “love and support for … Charlotte”.

According to Fordham, Ms Skerman said in the missive that the bullying allegations “are extremely serious and are being treated as such”.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Ms Skerman said the school was unaware of some of the claims aired on 2GB.

“Several media outlets have contacted us today in relation to the tragic death of one of our students” she said.

“Through these inquiries, a number of claims are being made about the circumstances that led to her death – these are new claims to the College and are not consistent with our records.

“In the outpouring of grief as everyone rightly questions how this could have happened, the College asks the media to take immense care in reporting so that further issues are not created for other vulnerable young people in our community and beyond.

“The main priority of the College at the moment is to support and care for our students, their families and our staff as well as support for this grieving family.”

Santa Sabina College in Strathfield.

Ms Skerman said the school was working with counsellors and Headspace to provide support to pupils, saying it was important the situation was “carefully navigated” due to children being involved.

A nearby school Presbyterian Ladies College at Croydon has been criticised for “glossing over” the death after issuing a note to parents last week.

“At this stage, we do not plan to speak to our Year 7 students,” the letter said.

“I ask, however, that you keep an eye on your daughters as they may hear news via friends or on social media.

“My advice is not to speak to your daughters unless they raise it with you.”

The letter stated: “With exams coming up, we really want the girls to be settled and focused on their learning”.

“Saying that, if your daughter has been impacted by this news, please contact me as we want to support her.”

Jason, the father of one of Charlotte’s friends, said the girl’s death was “beyond a tragedy”.

“Children of that age shouldn’t be put in a position where they take their own lives,” he said.

Jason said his daughter met Charlotte through another friend and had bonded over their shared experiences with bullying and grief.

“My daughter tried to contact the young lady on the night … she took her life,” he said.

“She came downstairs worried and I said ‘maybe she’s just gone to bed’.”

The letter issued by PLC. Picture: Supplied

Fordham read out a letter from Jason’s daughter

“I kept reassuring her that it was all going to be OK,” the letter read.

“I thought she was all right and she was smiling and happy again.”

Charlotte sent the girl a Snapchat message of her crying on September 9

“She said she was going to have a shower and she would call me back.”

Fordham told listeners it was alleged Charlotte’s bullies befriended her to obtain “personal information” and used it against her.

“She opened up to them and then they destroyed her,” he said.

“They went to town on her.”

He broke down in tears as he read the last messages Charlotte’s friend sent to her.

“She wrote, ‘Charlotte you are scaring me’.

“She then wrote, ‘Charlotte, Charlotte, answer’. ‘I wanna know you’re all right. Charlotte please, I’m here for you’.”

Charlotte’s mum, Kelly, also issued a statement thanking Fordham for “standing up for Charlotte, something I feel I failed to do”.

She said that she did not want any children to feel responsible for her daughter’s death, saying Charlotte had not understood what she was doing.

“Please, I must stress and I beg, I do not want any little girls to feel responsible for this,” Kelly wrote.

“I don’t want any other mum not being able to wake up their child in the morning.

“They are also just little girls, so they don’t understand.

“Charlotte made a mistake in a moment of grief. She did not mean to do this. She did not understand.”

Originally published as Heartbreaking details of Sydney schoolgirl’s suicide after alleged ‘bullying’