November 7, 2026 — 7:00pm

Teenager Esther Abram wore a hat to school for years to hide her hair loss from chemotherapy, but the taunting she received became unmanageable.

Abram’s diagnosis of a rare brain cancer initially triggered a flood of sympathy from peers. But she said some at the outer-suburban private school began to spread suspicions about her illness and question the special consideration and prolonged absences she was granted.

“People would pick on me because I had a hat,” Abram said. “I had special consideration to go home early, and teachers wouldn’t always be supportive of it. From there it probably just got worse.”

Esther Abram, diagnosed in year 9 with a rare brain cancer, experienced bullying around her hair loss and need for special consideration at school. New data reveals how bullying and school culture are linked in Victorian classrooms.…