Jessica, not her real name, returned to school this term after a two-month absence, her forced hiatus the result of bullying.

But after an uneventful week came a note — a poison-pen letter left in her locker, laden with expletives and telling her to go kill herself.

Five hours later, she nearly did.

Her mother now wants those responsible exposed and expelled.

She said the girls responsible had first driven her daughter from school with a relentless campaign that included Facebook.

The mother of two says the school-time bullying continued, despite more than 10 warnings.

She said the note was the last straw.

“It’s a gutless act and Wodonga Middle Years College should enforce its zero-tolerance approach to bullying by expelling those responsible,” she said. “How many times do they have to warn these girls?

“She was attacked on Facebook and barred the girls but then we go back to school and there is this note.

“This is why we need a headspace here, a place where young people can go for help in a crisis.”

Middle Years College principal Russell Polson said the serious situation was being investigated.

He said any threat of expulsion was premature and the investigation would determine the school’s actions.

“This is not a common occurrence,” Mr Polson said.

“We are treating this very seriously.

“We are offering support to the victim and trying to identify those who might be involved and the circumstances behind this note.

“The school takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and has education programs.

“Part of our curriculum is education about positive relations and bullying — that is why this is so disappointing.”

Yesterday, Jessica said she had thought the bullying it was all over.

“I can’t stop shaking, ever since I first read the note,” she said.

“I was physically sick with worry, vomiting in the bathroom — I just decided it was too hard to keep going.

“A friend came in and stopped me just in time.

“I was better, I wanted to go back to school but not while this is happening — how can I?”