The mother of a 12-year-old girl who took her own life has revealed emails she says begged the school to act over severe bullying affecting her daughter.
Charlotte OBrien, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College at Strathfield in the citys inner-west, took her own life earlier this month.
Daily Mail Australia revealed on Wednesday Charlotte had learned of her biological fathers violent criminal past and told fellow students about what he had done, which mother Kelly OBrien said led to constant bullying.
Messages seen by Daily Mail Australia show the family and the school in conversation about Charlottes claims she was being bullied because of the confidential information.
In exchanges dated August 2022, Ms OBrien wrote to Santa Sabina saying she is so worried about Charlotte being bullied because of the information that come to light.
Ms OBrien wrote she would hate to uproot Charlotte and start her at a new school again but the ramifications bullying has on mental health are just too severe.
Charlotte, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College at Strathfield in the citys inner-west, took her own life earlier this month
The school responded and said: At Santa, we take bullying extremely seriously. Please be assured we will do everything to support Charlotte and you.
It also said counselling was being arranged for Charlotte.
Ms OBrien also wrote to Charlottes teacher and stated she was overwhelmed with the support they had provided to the girl
We will continue to keep an eye on her and support Charlotte in whatever way we can, the teacher replied.
In November 2022, Ms OBrien wrote to the school to express new concerns with Charlotte.
She (Charlotte) has now sent me an email with multiple crying faces and said shes having a hard time with the girls, Ms OBrien wrote.
After Charlotte died her mother Kelly OBrien sent this message to the Sydney school that she attended
As recently as August 2024, Charlottes mother informed Santa Sabina that Charlotte was too upset to attend school.
Unfortunately Charlotte will not be in today. She has been coming home in tears the last few weeks over friendship issues.
This morning Charlotte is very distressed. So she will stay to collect herself.
Then on September 10, Charlottes mother revealed the tragic news that her daughter had taken her own life.
My beautiful girl took her own life because of the relentless friendship issues she faced, she wrote.
I was scared to label it bullying but thats exactly what it was.
Id begged the school to intervene … I wish I had been stronger and demanded it be fixed!
I wish I had been stronger, she wrote.
Charlottes mother said her 12-year-old daughter cried her way to and from school every day
On Monday, Charlottes family spoke out in a statement issued to 2GB host Ben Fordham, demanding that the bullying they claim drove their daughter into helpless despair over a two-year period not be swept under the carpet.
The schools response on Monday was the familys allegations were new and inconsistent with their records.
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. Thats it. Case closed. Move on.
Well my beautiful daughters life wont move on and Ill never get to say goodbye.
These issues cannot be swept under the carpet. I will not let my daughters 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?
Were broken forever.
Experts say suicide is complex and can only rarely be attributed to one factor alone.
The highest risk factors for youth suicide are believed to be a mental health condition or a physical disability, but bullying, family problems and grief are also considered risk factors.
Santa Sabina College has been contacted for comment.