Mossman State High School locked down after dramatic student knife chase

A student reacted to comments in a cooking class by allegedly chasing a group of fellow students with a knife in Far North Queensland.

Mossman State High School sign.

Mossman State High School was locked down on Thursday after a disabled student allegedly chased a group of fellow students with a knife.

In an email and text message to the student’s parents, principal Annie Murie told parents, “a lockdown was required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students…the incident will be investigated as per our student code of conduct”.

The student, who had a teacher’s aide with him at the time, was reportedly having an argument with a group of students in a cooking class when he picked up a knife and ran at the group.

The group ran outside the room and he followed them.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The school initiated a precautionary lockdown yesterday for approximately 15 minutes in response to a student behavioural issue.

“Emergency services assistance was not required and no students or staff were harmed in the incident. The school is investigating the incident that resulted in the lockdown and if necessary will apply appropriate consequences in line with the school’s Student Code of Conduct.”

Generic shot of Mossman State High School playground.

Several parents from the school spoke to the Cairns Post on the condition of anonymity.

One said she believed the school has been becoming less safe.

“It’s been going downhill,” one said of the school.

“The behaviour is totally out of control,” said another parent.

“The fights and disrespect that goes on.”

Townsville school generic

The parent said there was another incident recently where a student threw a large bin at a teacher.

The school’s 2023 Annual Report released two months ago shows that the percentage of students who said they felt safe at the school fell from 78 per cent in 2021 to 69 per cent in 2022.

While just 46 per cent of teachers felt that “student behaviour is well managed at this school”.

The number of suspended students rose from 102 in 2020 to 301 in 2022.

Student attendance numbers have also fallen.

“We need another school option in the area,” a parent added.

In relation to the incident a Department Spokesperson said: “A Guidance Officer support is available at the school for any students who may require it.”

Originally published as Mossman State High School locked down after dramatic student knife chase