Bullied out of school

Student kept home after receiving several death threats

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-yearold son, including threats from a social media account that 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 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 spokesman 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,” the spokesman said.

“Upper Coomera State College has investigated these concerns, has been in regular contact with the student’s family and continue to offer ongoing support.

“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.