Gold Coast police investigate alleged weapons incident at St Kevin’s School

Detectives from Gold Coast’s Child Protection Investigation Unit are probing an alleged incident involving students threatening their peers with box cutters at a Catholic primary school.

St Kevin's Catholic Primary School in Benowa on the Gold Coast.

Some parents at a Catholic primary school on the Gold Coast first became aware students had allegedly threatened their peers with weapons on campus after it was reported in the media.

It comes after this masthead revealed on Tuesday that two students from St Kevin’s School in Benowa had been suspended after they allegedly brought box cutters onto campus.

Gold Coast police confirmed detectives from the Child Protection Investigation Unit were probing the alleged incident, which occurred on June 13.

“The incident was reported to police on June 17,” a police spokesman said.

“Investigations are continuing.”

In an email to all parents sent on Tuesday night, principal Leigh Mirto said some families first became aware of the terrifying alleged incident through the media.

“I am writing in response to the concerns raised following recent media coverage of a safety incident involving students at St Kevin’s,” he wrote.

“I want to acknowledge the seriousness of the matter and the understandable worry it has caused within our community.

“I understand that some families first became aware of the situation through media or social media.

“While that is regrettable because open and timely communication is important to our school, privacy obligations can limit what we are able to share and when.”

St Kevin’s School principal Leigh Mirto.

Mr Mirto assured parents “the incident was addressed immediately”.

“The parents of the students involved were contacted directly and the appropriate authorities were notified.

“At no stage were other students in danger.

“We would have alerted parents and caregivers immediately if that was the case.

“The school followed all required procedures in accordance with Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) guidelines, with student safety remaining our highest priority throughout.”

Mr Mirto emailed parents of the students’ year level cohort on Monday to inform them of the alleged incident.

This second email to all parents was sent on Tuesday evening.

The two female students allegedly brought box cutters to the school and directed threatening language towards their peers.

They have both been suspended for the week but parents have raised safety concerns for their children.

“We want answers from the school and we want to know what they are doing to keep our kids safe,” one parent said.

Originally published as Gold Coast police investigate alleged weapons incident at St Kevin’s School