School apologises for removing memorial

The school that took down a memorial for a 12-year-old who died by suicide has apologised.

Year 7 student Charlotte O’Brien took her own life in September after relentless bullying at the inner-west Sydney Catholic school, Santa Sabina College.

Following the girl’s death, her heartbroken family set up a memorial on a tree outside the school; Charlotte’s aunt explaining it was the only way they could share their farewells with the 12-year-old.

The memorial was removed by the school days after it was erected.

Principal Paulina Skerman initially defended the decision to remove the memorial, explaining it was based on advice provided by experts at Headspace and citing the memorial’s mental health impact on other students.

“On the advice of mental health experts, including Headspace, who are working with the college, we removed the memorial because of the concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on other young people,” the principal said.

However, 2GB radio host Ben Fordham disputed this reasoning after reaching out to Headspace.

“Headspace did not recommend Santa Sabina or Paulina Skerman remove the memorial dedicated to Charlotte,” he told listeners.

“Headspace did not advise Paulina Skerman or anyone at Santa Sabina to take it down.”

After the revelation, the school issued an apology to Charlotte’s family and friends about the memorial’s removal.

“We are devastated for Charlotte’s family and friends, and we acknowledge that some of the college’s initial statements to the media were inadequate and hurtful,” the apology read. “We apologise to Charlotte’s family for this. It was never our intention to add to their pain.

“We acknowledge that, at times, our efforts have fallen short, and we are sincerely sorry.

“The choice to remove the public memorial was a difficult one, balancing the desire to honour Charlotte’s memory with our responsibility to prevent further distress to students.

“Ms Skerman was grateful to visit Charlotte’s parents, Kelly and Matt, to apologise to them personally.

“We are committed to working together to create a permanent memorial to remember Charlotte. She will not be forgotten.”

Lifeline 13 11 14

Suicide call back service 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

1800 Respect 1800 737 732

13YARN 13 92 76 (For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)