Ex-student sues state over alleged bullying at Mooroopna Secondary College

A former student who allegedly endured years of bullying and abuse at Mooroopna Secondary College is now suing the state for failing its duty of care.

The now disbanded Mooroopna Secondary College an x-student says she was bullied for years.

A former high school student has launched legal action against the Education Department claiming her school failed to protect her from years of vicious bullying.

The young woman claims she was thumped over the head with a bag of heavy books, stalked, had her locker trashed and routinely called a “slut” and “white c---” in her final years of school at the now disbanded Mooroopna Secondary College near Shepparton.

She also claimed she was advised by her school not to attend her own debutante ball because of the cost of hiring security due to the ongoing bullying.

Mooroopna College was one of four schools merged to form part of the Greater Shepparton College “super school”, which has since been plagued by bullying, violence and low enrolments since opening last year.


The alleged victim, now aged 24, attended the college between 2011 and 2014 and alleged she was targeted by another student.

The Herald Sun has chosen not to name either student.


In a statement of claim, the young woman alleged teachers and staff were aware the student had been expelled from her previous school and “perpetrated bullying” at the college.


In September 2013, the alleged victim told the school she as being verbally abused and socially isolated by the girl.

The young woman has since suffered chronic post traumatic stress disorder.

Two months later, the school organised for the young woman to meet with her bully – but no teachers or school staff attended the meeting.

In February the following year, when the plaintiff was in year 11, she claims she was physically assaulted when her bully struck her over the head with a bag filled with books.

Throughout 2014, the young woman alleges she was subjected to repeated bullying, harassment and abuse at the school.

She also claimed in October that year she was viciously assaulted by her bully who also kicked, and spat at the alleged victim’s sister.


Court documents allege it was at this time the school recommended she not return to the college the following year.

The young woman alleges the education department owed her a duty of care to avoid “foreseeable risks of injury to (her) physical, psychological and emotional health and to protect (her) from … abuse in the form of bullying”.

Documents filed in the County Court claim the school failed to adequately respond to complaints made by the plaintiff, failed to expel, discipline or even place her bully in an alternative class and did not have an adequate Bullying Prevention Policy.

The young woman has since suffered chronic post traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and a disruption to her relationships.

She also claims the disruption to her education has diminished her future job prospects.