The former principal of an outback school has been awarded damages of $40,000 over a defamatory Facebook page created by parents of her students.

The hate page was set up in 2010 by the parents of two Coober Pedy Area School students and a former student of Gepps Cross High School about both schools' former principal, Sue Burtenshaw.The civil claim has now been finalised, with Adelaide Magistrates Court awarding the maximum sum its jurisdiction allows.Ms Burtenshaw's lawyer Carey Goodall said it was a pleasing outcome."I think this is an indication that if people choose to post defamatory comments on social media, such as Facebook, then the courts will, in appropriate cases, award damages to those who choose to do that," he said.My client will be very pleased to put all this behind her.