NOTE: I AM NOT THE AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE. FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE. YOUCAN FIND THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE USING GOOGLE.

The main points of: Picnic Being the Operative Word: Mrs. Appleyard and Sara in Picniic at Hanging Rock

After the disappearance the film focuses on how the disappearance effects those left at the school and those in the town.

Early in the film it's obvious that Sara is in love with Miranda and Mrs. Appleyard is particularly tough on Sara.

Mrs. Appleyard sees Sara as a rebel and she must be punished.

After the disappearance the toughness used by Mrs. Appleyard on Sara turns to torture.

Mrs. Appleyard talks to Sara when there is no one else present.

She threatens to send Sara back to the orphanage.

Although the attacks are psychological then begin to take a physical toll on Sara.

When questioned about what happened to Sara (who can't be found) Mrs. Appleyard lies.

Mrs. Appleyard likely killed Sara. (I agree with this. I don't think Sara would have committed suicide because she probably believed that there was still a chance Miranda could be found. After all, Irma was found in reasonable shape.)