Overcoming Bullying

School can be a tough place when you feel like you don’t fit in. For me, the last six months of school were a turning point. I finally found a few friends who accepted me for who I was—Abby, Shahed, and Kaitlin. That acceptance made all the difference. Even though I struggled with some classes, especially English, and faced challenges with certain teachers and peers, I managed to pass my exams and look forward to what came next. This summer was a chance to leave school behind

When I tried to take my own life, everything changed. What followed was not just a battle with my mental health but also a struggle with how the people around me, especially at school, responded. My mum decided to keep me out of school for months because she didn’t trust the school to protect me or prevent another crisis. Instead of support, the school pushed back hard. They threatened my mum with fines if I didn’t return and even lowered my grades. This is my story of naviga

School should be a place where every student feels safe and supported. For me, growing up gay in 2004 meant facing daily hostility, name-calling, and isolation. The environment was harsh, and the adults who were supposed to protect me often turned a blind eye. This is my story of navigating a school where being different was met with cruelty, and how those experiences shaped my understanding of resilience and the need for change. The Daily Reality of Bullying From the moment

The morning after that night, my mum insisted I go to school. She just assumed I was horrid from the alcohol the night before. I hadn’t told her what had really happened. Walking into my second day at the school felt strange, very strange. Everyone was looking at me. I could hear whispers in the corridor. Everyone knew my name. They also knew what happened. The Weight of a Secret Unveiled I had no idea that Craig was the school bully. He had already started showing everyone t

Starting senior school in September 2001 was a turning point for me. It wasn’t because my family moved, but because it was time to leave the familiar world of Year 6 behind and step into a new environment. The change was more than just a new building or new teachers. It was a shift in how school worked, how I related to others, and how I found my place in the world. Adjusting to a Different School Routine Years 1 - 6 had been simple in some ways. I stayed in one classroom all