November 1st 2024.
The principal of Santa Sabina College recently had a meeting with the grieving family of 12-year-old Charlotte O'Brien, who tragically passed away after experiencing relentless bullying. The meeting took place after the school decided to remove a memorial that had been set up in Charlotte's honor.
Today, Paulina Skerman, the principal, visited the O'Brien family at their home to discuss the situation. This comes after the school sought assistance from a crisis PR firm. During the meeting, 9News was informed that Skerman personally apologized for the removal of the memorial from outside the gates of the catholic school in Strathfield, located in Sydney's inner west.
Skerman explained that she made the decision to remove the memorial based on advice given by mental health organization Headspace. However, the guidance provided by Headspace is not straightforward. While it cautions against glorifying suicide unintentionally, it also emphasizes the importance of involving family and friends in creating memorials. Sadly, the school did not consult with Charlotte's family before removing their tribute. But now, all parties are working together to create a new memorial for Charlotte that will include her favorite symbol - butterflies.
The O'Brien family shared with 9News that they hope the focus can shift from Charlotte's tragic passing to preventing bullying and protecting children. The original memorial, which was made by Charlotte's aunt Melinda Rodger and her children, was removed only a day after it was set up on a Sunday night.
Melinda expressed her devastation upon discovering that the memorial had been removed without their knowledge. She explained that it was created 50 days after Charlotte's death because they never had the chance to say goodbye to her. It was their way of showing Charlotte that she was loved and will be deeply missed.
Charlotte's father, Mat, also spoke to 9News about his feelings towards the school's handling of his daughter's death. He shared that he was at a loss for words and that his niece and nephew simply wanted to honor their cousin. Mat also emphasized that there is no set way to grieve and that he would never tell his family members how to cope with their loss. As for the school, Mat believes that if they were given advice to remove the memorial, they would not have taken it down.
In times like these, it's essential to seek support and reach out for help. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In case of an emergency, dial Triple Zero. It's crucial to remember that we are not alone, and there is always someone willing to listen and provide support.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
