Mt Hira College sends chilling text to parents after email threat

The text warned of a terrifying attack at the school and raised concerns about the safety of the students going forward.

Mount Hira College in Keysborough, Melbourne received a threatening email at the weekend.

Parents of high schoolers at an Islamic school in southeast Melbourne received a chilling text message ahead of the first day back to school.

The text from staff at Mount Hira College late on Sunday night, informed parents the school had received a threatening email about a potential knife attack on its students.

“We’re writing to inform you we have received a threat message by email that a person will come to the School tomorrow with a knife and attack people, particularly girls with hijab.”

The message said they “pray it’s nothing more than a hoax”.

“Nevertheless, we are taking all security precautions to protect our College community and the police will be on patrol throughout the day tomorrow.”

The message sent to parents.

There was a police presence at the Melbourne school after the email. Picture: News Corp

Principal Dr Toni Pikos-Sallie declined to comment.

The college in Keysborough in Melbourne declined to comment to news.com.au but a police spokesman said they were aware of the threat and encouraged the school to “remain vigilant”.

“At the time we believe there is no immediate threat to public safety,” the spokesman said.

“Detectives will investigate the origins of the message and the circumstances surrounding the incident. An increased police presence will be seen in the area.”

One family whose son was supposed to start his first day of Year 8 at the college told 7News the email was “very shocking”.

“I wouldn’t think that something like that would happen (in Australia),” the boy’s adult sister said. “It’s making us consider whether he should continue to go into an Islamic school.”