‘Inadequate and hurtful’: School apologizes to family of Sydney schoolgirl Charlotte O’Brien after memorial demolished:

Warning: This story contains disturbing content.

The alma mater of a Sydney schoolgirl who took her own life due to relentless bullying has apologized after the removal of her statue caused concern.

Charlotte’s family and friends told 9News they are “devastated” the memorial was torn down just days later.

Now principal Pauline Skerman has issued a statement and apologized to both Charlotte’s family and the wider Santa Sabina College community.

Skerman described the events as a “difficult week” and said a permanent memorial was being considered.

“We are devastated for Charlotte’s family and friends and recognize that some of the college’s initial statements to the media were inappropriate and hurtful,” Skerman said in a statement.

“We apologize to Charlotte’s family for this. It was never our intention to add to their pain.

“We acknowledge that sometimes our efforts fail and we are truly sorry.”

Skerman noted that the decision to remove the Charlotte monument was made to “balance the desire to honor Charlotte’s memory with our responsibility to prevent further suffering among students.”

The director said she also visited Charlotte’s parents to discuss the matter.

“Ms. Skerman was grateful for the opportunity to visit Charlotte’s parents, Kelly and Matt, to apologize to them in person,” the statement said.

“We are committed to working together to create a permanent memorial in Charlotte’s memory. She will not be forgotten.”

“Words cannot express how devastated we were,” Roger said.

“We came here to see for ourselves… and found Charlotte’s grandfather wandering aimlessly up and down the street with a bouquet of flowers, trying to find a memorial to lay his flowers.”