The headteacher of a school where a 14-year-old former pupil tragically took her own life has admitted he was “undoubtedly” bullied, as he called for more support for children suffering from mental health problems.
Isla Marschke's body was discovered by her mother, Christie Jacobson, in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland on Tuesday night.
Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a small note in her room along with her phone password.
'I'm sorry, I love you, mom,' it said.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Isla's mother faced an uphill battle getting help for her daughter, who has suffered from mental health issues for several years.
“I live in a regional city and I spent months and months desperately trying to find a child psychologist who could help my daughter,” Jacobsen told this publication on Wednesday.
'But I was constantly rejected because she was too young or the books were full. Follow-up care was nearly impossible. I can't tell you how many times I would ask for help and be told 'no, no, no'.
'While this was happening, she was also being bullied and faced with family dynamic issues.'
Isla Marschke (pictured) was discovered by her mother, Christie Jacobson, in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on Tuesday night.
On Thursday, Shalom College principal Daniel McMahon said Isla was 'undoubtedly' bullied at school
Ms Jacobsen, a piano teacher and performance artist, called for more funding for mental health support in regional areas.
Isla recently abandoned traditional education at Shalom College, a Catholic school in Bundaberg, to enter distance learning, partly due to bullying and finding it difficult to adapt.
On Thursday, Shalom College principal Daniel McMahon told another publication that Isla was “undoubtedly” bullied at school.
'Some people I know are not students at this school.'
This mirrors comments made by Isla's sister, Ava, who told this publication that she had been a victim of bullying and left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she had difficulty adapting.
“She had been struggling for a long time,” Ava added.
'I've had to text them before to leave Isla alone and I've had to talk to them at school before to leave Isla alone because it gets so out of hand.'
'They were just horrible to her.'
McMahon said “kids have to deal with some kind of bullying, unfortunately” and Shalom College teachers worked hard to deal with it when it came up, but some of it happened in “secret.”
“Isla’s story is tragic, but it’s not just about bullying,” added McMahon.
“As her mother, Christie, highlighted in the media today, mental illness is a very real problem and the lack of sufficient support services for individuals and families is a real problem.
“She suffered from multiple and complex problems, as many people do.
'Trying to assign blame to an individual or individuals may make some feel some satisfaction, but it is neither helpful nor accurate.
'I would rather put energy into helping young people have the courage to ask for help when they need it and have that help readily available.'
McMahon said 'children have to face bullying, unfortunately' and teachers at Shalom College worked hard to deal with it when it emerged, but some happened in 'secret'
Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a small note in her room along with the phone password (pictured: Isla and her mother, Christie)
It turns out that two of the dance academies Isla attended paid tribute to her memory.
“Isla joined TNT in January 2024, competed in her first Hip Hop Solo dance competition, performed in several performances at our concert last month, and brought a smile and fun attitude to class,” TNT wrote Dance Academy on social media.
LA Dance Academy said: 'Today, the world seems a little darker without your light.'
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was talking at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about their upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Ava, who was the last person to speak to Isla, left to work as a pharmacy assistant at the Chemist Warehouse.
His stepfather came and told him the terrible news just before 6pm.
“Isla and I were talking about normal things,” Ava told this publication.
'It's my birthday next Friday and hers is on the 24th, so she was talking about how she got me a present. She looked really good.
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, was bullied and left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she struggled to adapt.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was happily chatting at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about their upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who had suffered for years before the bullying began with anxiety, OCD and autism, but her mental state seemed to have improved dramatically after the switch to homeschooling.
“She was thriving, she wanted to be a leader and her school performance was improving,” said Andy McLucas, Isla’s stepfather.
'She absolutely loved it. She found her place, so it was a big shock.
McLucas, who is separated from Isla's mother, said she “went through several periods of counseling and talking to therapists.”
“Once we removed the school element, she was doing really well,” McLucas said.
'WWhen she fell, it was very noticeable. But this wasn't one of those moments, she just seemed a little boring.
McLucas, who said Isla was a talented musician and singer, paid tribute to her “quirky” personality.
Isla was remembered for her 'quirky' personality and was described as a 'ball of awesomeness'
A GoFundMe page, created by Ava to help cover her funeral costs, has so far raised more than $20,000.
“She had such an incredible sense of humor that a lot of people didn’t understand because she was so funny and different,” McLucas said.
'She was so talented. She had a beautiful voice, loved to sing all the time and could play any instrument. She was simply a ball of awesomeness.
His voice was so good that his new school recently asked him to record the national anthem to be played during assemblies.
“She had a lot of empathy for those she loved,” McLucas added.
— And when she liked you, she really liked you. She was very demanding and just didn't get along with everyone, but when she did, she just loved intensely and read you.
“She just didn't know how much she was loved.”
A GoFundMe page that was created by Ava to help cover the costs of her funeral has so far raised almost $55,000.
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