Former Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student David Gregory now claims he suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder and agoraphobia and is unable to work.

Now living in Mollymook, he will seek upwards of $2 million in lost earnings from the state, arguing the school’s breach of care in failing to look after him was the cause of his severe psychological problems.

The NSW Supreme Court yesterday heard Mr Gregory went to his teachers in tears during six years of “consistent and systematic bullying” at the hands of his classmates and the school did nothing.

Giving evidence before Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, Mr Gregory described a system – labelled only as a “SAK” – that was designed by students and in place at the time of his attendance in the 1990s.

The system meant students of younger years should obey the command of the older boys or risk being “nicked” – hit across the knuckles with a steel ruler – or “broomed”, which meant bending over before being struck with a broom as hard as

possible.

“The teachers just accepted it at Farrer,” he told the court.

Mr Gregory said when he criticised the system he was ostracised and name-calling and physical abuse began.

Called “sterile”, “faggot”, “midget”, “loser” and “Nazi”, he said he was forbidden from socialising with any of his peers and had rocks and gravel thrown at him on a regular basis.

Mr Gregory told the court when he complained to the school’s staff his fears were ignored.

“I was upset and in tears when I (told them),”he said.

“I hated the place ... I didn’t want to go back after the holidays. I knew things were going to happen – they were happening to me on a daily basis.”

Mr Gregory’s lawyer Russell McIlwaine said Mr Gregory eventually developed an obsessive compulsive disorder and would wash himself thoroughly with hospital strength disinfectant because he felt “dirty” and also resorted to self mutilation.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Training said the department couldn’t offer any comment on the court case.

“The Department of Education and Training cannot make any comment regarding an existing case before the courts,” the spokesperson said.

“These alleged events occurred 12 and more years ago. The Department does not tolerate bullying, and implements and supports a range of initiatives to increase schools’ awareness of strategies to counter

bullying.”