Disturbing twist in tragic death of 12-year-old bullied by cruel teens – as revelations emerge of ANOTHER horrific incident at $12,000-a-year private school

EXCLUSIVE

Shocking claims have emerged that a second teenage girl tried to commit suicide at a prestigious $12,000-a-year private school in Brisbane.

Daily Mail Australia this week revealed how 12-year-old Ella Catley-Crawford’s life support was switched off last Saturday after she attempted her own life.

Ella was in Year 7 at Lourdes Hill College after winning an academic scholarship in February, but… The family of ‘smart and headstrong’ student claims she suffered months of misery at the hands of other students who allegedly bullied her via Snapchat.

Ella’s mother Julie Crawford moved her to a new school in April after just one term, but claims the bullying then ‘followed her online’.

Ella’s tragic death comes just three years after a year 8 student tried to harm himself on the private school grounds. It can now be revealed.

On Monday 14 June 2021, emergency services were called to a ‘serious incident’ and a 14-year-old student was rushed to hospital.

It is understood a police van blocked access to the school gate and several pupils later left the school with their parents shortly after 8am.

In an update on a community forum, a friend told locals that the student has since “made a full recovery.” ‘She moved schools for obvious reasons and is happy there.

“She enjoys volunteering with mental health organizations to help the younger children who are struggling.”

The family of Ella Catley-Crawford (pictured) turned off her life support on Saturday after she attempted suicide a week earlier due to online bullying

Lourdes Hill College in Brisbane has come under fire for their response since Ella’s death

The school Ella (pictured) attended, Lourdes Hill College, has been accused of failing to help victims of bullying

When asked about the tragedy, a spokesperson for Lourdes Hill College told Daily Mail Australia

“The Lourdes Hill College community remains deeply affected by the tragic incident in 2021 and ours

thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected.

As this is an ongoing legal matter, we cannot comment further.

Lourdes Hill College’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff, and we have pastoral care in place to support our community.”

The development emerged as frustrated locals approached the school over the response to Ella’s death.

Lourdes Hill College principal Kay Gleeson emailed parents Tuesday afternoon to inform them of Ella’s tragic death and to offer students support from counselors on campus.

“We understand that the coming weeks will be extremely difficult, and that community members may have different reactions to this tragedy,” Ms. Gleeson wrote.

However, many parents had already found out through social media.

“We understand that our community will have many questions about this matter, but out of respect for those involved, I ask that we avoid any speculation or discussion.

‘The well-being of our students remains our top priority and we strive to provide a caring, safe and supportive environment. We have a zero tolerance policy against bullying and all students take part in our age-appropriate Stella Wellbeing Program.

“Our College Values ​​remind us of our strength as a community to support each other in challenging times.”

Andrew Laming, former federal MP for Redlands, said: ‘The claim that they have a ‘program’ is not a defence.

“They owe the community answers; but that won’t happen. Just thoughts, prayers and silence… again.”

‘Hyper-vigilant’ mother Julie Crawford (pictured with Ella) moved her daughter to Redlands College public school after just one semester, but the damage was done

Three year seven girls were expelled from Lourdes Hill College for bullying Ella (pictured) online

Ella’s ‘hyper-vigilant’ mother Julie Crawford, 55, moved her from Lourdes to Redlands College after just one term, but says the damage had already been done.

“She was instantly happier and the new school was great, but the bullies still reached her through the apps,” Ms Crawford told Daily Mail Australia.

The 12-year-old’s torment came as no surprise to her devoted mother had given Ella her old phone Christmas to entertain her on the bus to and from school.

She had her banned apps like TikTok and Snapchat, bWhen Ella started seventh year, she noticed her daughter glued to her phone screen.

“At first I thought she was just texting her new friends,” she said. “I knew they had a Year Seven group chat, but it was Snapchat.

“I had her remove it straight away, even though she told me she was safe.

“I don’t know how, but she created another account and hid it from me.”

Despite Ms Crawford’s repeated attempts to stop Ella’s use of social media, the bullying quickly escalated, regularly leaving her daughter in tears.

Then in March, Ms Crawford, an HR manager, received a call from the school claiming concerns had been raised that Ella, who was 11 at the time, had bullied other pupils online.

“I told them, ‘I don’t think so,’ that they were wrong and they investigated further,” she said.

Days later, three year 7 girls were suspended from Lourdes College for bullying Ella online.

The school never gave Ms. Crawford the details of their findings, but the damage had been done, her mother said.

Lourdes Hill College principal Kay Gleeson emailed parents on Tuesday afternoon to inform them of Ella’s tragic death (pictured) and offer students support from counselors on campus

“I don’t know exactly what it was all about,” she added.

‘People had pretended to be people they weren’t, a girl pretended to be a boy and messages Ella sent to them were shared with others.

“Friends started to pull away from her and she wasn’t invited to a birthday party, with some kids saying they needed a break, that it was too much, that she was too much.”

Mrs Crawford moved her “bright and strong-willed” daughter to Redlands College at the end of her first term in April.

But although Ella was immediately happier and made new friends, she couldn’t escape the online abuse that followed her.

“Ella was so down that I took her to the doctors and she was diagnosed with depression and put on medication,” her mother told Daily Mail Australia.

“But I made sure I was always there and that we had things to do to keep her occupied.”

Mrs. Crawford says that when her daughter was distracted by things to look forward to, her “best friend and love of her life” was her former happy self.

But once she left her phone behind, things quickly changed.

“Some days during the holidays she wouldn’t get out of bed,” her mother said.

“I just hoped it wouldn’t get worse, but I never expected her to commit suicide.”

Mrs Crawford found her daughter apparently lifeless on Sunday, October 27, and began CPR while she waited for paramedics.

Ella was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane and was on a ventilator for a week before doctors confirmed she had no brain activity.

Queensland Police have Ella’s phone and iPad and are now investigating her death.

On Monday, Redlands College principal Andrew Johnson sent a text message to parents of year seven students with details of a special counseling service.

Students in Ella’s year were told of her death on the same day.

“The college will not make any formal announcements for other year levels but will invite parents to decide if and when to share this news with their son or daughter,” Mr Johnson added.

Ella’s heartbroken mother says she has nothing left without her, so she will now dedicate herself to raising awareness in the hope she can help others.

Ella’s family (pictured with her mother) have set up a GoFundMe to help pay funeral costs, take time off to grieve and raise awareness

Her family has one GoFundMe to help pay funeral costs, take time off to grieve and raise awareness. More than $133,000 was raised within three days.

Ella’s mother made a heartfelt plea to supporters during the online fundraiser on Wednesday, promising to lobby the government.

‘Thank you to all the wonderful people who took the time and their hard earned money to read our beautiful Ella’s story, which was so short. Our hearts are broken and our lives are forever changed,” Ms. Crawford wrote.

“Your kind and generous donations will help us give Ella a beautiful funeral, medical bills, time to grieve and also fund education programs about social media and children.

“If you can write to Snapchat and get them to change some settings to stop and block bullies. We plan to engage the government in Australia on this to help save the lives of our children.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Lourdes Hill College for comment.

If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36.