“This poor result seriously limited the plaintiff’s university options and damaged her future career opportunities.”
Clifton filed the claim with the help of a relative but is in the process of engaging legal counsel.
Blue Mountains Grammar’s anti-harassment policy states the school will intervene to prevent mistreatment,promptly consider reports of suspected harassment,act to elicit behaviour change,and attempt to resolve issues by bringing the parties together.
Clifton said she was taking legal action because she doesn’t want others to have the experience she had. “It ruined my life for months,and caused me so much stress. I hope no other girl has to go through that,” she said.
The school’s principal,Steven Coote,declined to comment on the case.
“It is essential to prioritise the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved,and so we are committed to engaging with the appropriate professionalism and sensitivity,” he said.
Loading
Coote arrived at the school in 2022 and was not named in the claim. A defence is due to be filed at a later date.
The 2011 case involved a female St Patrick’s College student who successfully argued the college failed to take reasonable steps to stop other students bullying her.
She had been targeted by the popular girls in her form,who would snigger,giggle,make comments about her,nudge her with their elbows,and tease her for wearing one-piece swimsuits or having skirts like their mothers.
Her mental health declined significantly over time. The college argued that nothing it could or should have done would have prevented the bullying from continuing as it allegedly did.
The woman was awarded about $133,000 including $34,700 for non-economic damages,$50,000 for future lost earnings,$25,000 for past lost earnings,plus superannuation,and reimbursement for her medical costs.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights.Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.