Two teenagers charged with attempting to unlawfully kill teacher after stabbing at Willetton Senior High School in Perth

Two teenagers who allegedly plotted to kill a teacher before one of them stabbed the woman also discussed burning the school down, a court has heard.

Western Australia’s education minister has responded to allegations two teenagers charged with trying to kill a teacher allegedly discussed burning down the school weeks earlier.

The female teacher at Willetton Senior High School was stabbed with a knife just after 11am on Monday, prompting a lockdown and a search for a student who ran away.

Police allege that between October 14 and November 1, the pair of students, aged 13 and 14, participated in “numerous” online chat messages.

“It will be alleged the conversations related to talking about and planning to kill a teacher,” police said in a statement on Tuesday.

After the 14-year-old student allegedly stabbed the teacher, they ran away, according to police.

The woman suffered a 1cm wound to her left armpit and was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment.

Police took the 13-year-old girl into custody from the school, while the 14-year-old was later found just before 7pm on foot in Willetton.

Both were charged with attempting to unlawfully kill the teacher and faced Perth Children’s Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the older child brought the kitchen knife, but the younger one hid it.

The court also heard that they had discussed burning down the school weeks earlier.

The 13-year-old was granted bail and is due to face court again on December 16 for evidence to be disclosed.

Meanwhile, a hospital order was made for the older child due to mental health concerns and they are expected to face court again next week. They are also scheduled to face court on December 14 for disclosure of evidence.

Two teenagers have been charged. Picture: Google

Education Minister Sue Ellery sent her best wishes to the teacher and all staff at the school.

But she said she could not discuss the details of the case because it was before the courts.

Asked about the allegations made by the prosecutor in court that the pair had discussed plans to burn down the school and researched it thoroughly, Ms Ellery said it was the first she had heard of that.

“But I would say this, that schools should be safe places — they should be safe for students and they should be safe for staff,” she said.

“All of the circumstances I’ve heard so far being reported are deeply disturbing to me.

“This was an extraordinary event and I hope we never see the likes of it again.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Col Blanch told ABC radio that officers were back at the school on Tuesday.

“We’ll be speaking to all witnesses, but certainly I think the distress among the students and teachers is at its maximum at the moment,” he said.

“We’ll make sure we have got all of the necessary welfare and support, and we’ll make sure we work closely with the Department of Education in doing that.”

Mr Blanch said it was “absolutely not” a typical incident seen in Perth.

“They are very young, the people who have been charged, so there is obviously a lot more going on there, and that’s subject to the investigation at the moment about their mental health and other issues,” he said.

The alleged incident happened at Willetton Senior High School.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman on Monday said the teacher, aged in her 50s, had non-life-threatening injuries and was in a stable condition.

Education Department director general Lisa Rodgers said students and staff were instructed to remain in their classrooms as a precaution during the lockdown.

“School staff acted immediately to ensure students were kept away from the situation,” she said.

“At no time were any students in danger.

“We send our best wishes to the teacher involved and will be offering her support and to any others affected by this incident.”

The State School Teachers’ Union of WA said it was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

“Every teacher should be able to go to work confident that they will be safe from harm,” president Pat Byrne said.

“The union will liaise closely with the Department of Education to ensure all staff at the school get every support they need during this traumatic time.

“Through its Safety is Our Priority campaign, the SSTUWA has worked unceasingly to improve safety standards at schools.

“This incident is a reminder of the dangers teachers face and the need for constant improvements around safety in schools.”