Year 5 student threatens classmate with knife at Adelaide primary school

A YEAR 5 boy brandished a pocket knife and threatened to slit the throat of a pupil at an Adelaide primary school.

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A YEAR 5 boy brandished a pocket knife and threatened to slit the throat of a pupil at an Adelaide primary school, The Advertiser has been told.

The incident happened in the yard of an inner suburban school on Wednesday.

The Year 5 student with the knife has been suspended.

Two groups boys had been arguing in recent weeks and there had been some “push and shove” in the yard, sources said.

A fortnight ago, the boy first made a threat to bring a knife to school, before carrying through with it on Wednesday, they said.

The boys were in the yard and the perpetrator pushed over the victim’s bicycle.

He then produced the knife and threatened to slit his student’s throat.

Police have confirmed they were called to the school just before 2pm after a report that a student threatened another with a knife.

Police said the incident happened about 10.30am and that investigations were ongoing.

A boy threatened a classmate with a pocket knife at an Adelaide primary school. File image.

The school referred The Advertiser to the Education Department but later sent a letter to parents.

“The school is taking disciplinary action in relation to a student bringing a pocket knife on to school grounds,” the school’s principal wrote.

“Police have been called in response and the facts relating to the incident are being established.

“The parents of those involved have been notified.

“Support is being made available to any student who feels they need it.

“Please refrain from speculating about the nature of the incident while the investigation takes place.

“Be assured that student safety is a priority and we are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness.”

A department spokesman said in a statement: “Teachers took action immediately on becoming aware of the knife to confiscate it and contacted the student’s parents to take the child home.

“Police have been called in response to the matter and the facts are being established.

“The parents of those involved have been notified and the school is in the process of notifying the school community.”

Police have said the victim was 11 years of age.