Mom pulls bullied teen from high school

A frustrated mother has pulled her 13-year-old daughter from the The Queen's School because she fears for her safety and mental health.

The mother previously told THE STAR that since her daughter was in seventh grade, she has been constantly bullied by some of her classmates and was even threatened that they would "rearrange har face" and "step inna har throat".

When the mother reached out to THE STAR last November, the news team sought a comment from the school administration and was informed by the vice-principal that administrators were aware of the issue and were conducting an investigation. She added that the school takes all cases of bullying seriously and investigates every case. The mother subsequently said that she had a meeting with the school's administration, but claimed that the administration suggested that her daughter was not being bullied and should "toughen up". She also said that she witnessed her child being bullied and informed the administration, but nothing was done.

After sharing this with THE STAR, the news team contacted the school again for a response via phone, but was informed that the phone lines were down. Five emails were subsequently sent seeking to arrange an interview with the principal, either in person or via phone call. However, after sending the requested questions that would guide the interview, the vice-principal acknowledged receiving the email and informed the news team that the school would respond as soon as possible. To date the principal has not commented on the matter.

The mother said that her daughter has been out of school for more than a month, and she will not send her back until she is sure that she will be safe.

"They (bullies) told her that they would beat her up, and I don't take threats likely," she said. "I fear that she will be beat upon because that's what they said ... and mentally, physically, I believe if I sent her back to the school, she would have been abused."

The girl previously told THE STAR that the bullying was so severe that she started having suicidal thoughts. The mother said that she has tried enrolling her daughter in a private school, but this has not helped her mental heath.

"I was thinking about [enrolling her for] classes which was the best I got, but she still wants to go to [full-time] school. She wants to experience the activities, have friends, and so on," the mother said, adding that all she wants is for her daughter to learn in a safe environment.

"She feels rejected; there are times I get a bit of aggression from her, because I think she is a bit frustrated at times," she said.

"Even if they (the bullies) were even reprimanded or threatened by the school's administration, I don't think this would be the case. I think they would have even held back a bit. But this was not done at all," the mother said, adding that after sharing her daughter's story online and hearing the stories of others, she is motivated to stand up for other children who are being bullied.

"I am sure it happens in every school. I am aware of that. But I want whenever situations like this happen, it can be addressed and it doesn't have to get to this, and solutions can be achieved on both sides."