‘Distressing’: Man charged after allegedly stabbing principal at Keysborough Secondary College

A teacher accused of stabbing a principal allegedly said he’d “never been so angry in my life” after his contract was not renewed, a court has been told.

A teacher accused of stabbing his school’s principal in Melbourne on Tuesday had allegedly found out that day his contract would not be renewed, telling police he had “never been so angry in my life”.

Kim Ramchen, 37, faced the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning seeking bail.

The court was told Mr Ramchen had been released from hospital at 3.30am on Wednesday and interviewed by police.

Kim Ramchen. Picture: supplied

Keysborough Secondary College principal Aaron Sykes. Picture: Facebook

He has since been charged with a string of offences, including recklessly engage in conduct placing person in danger of serious injury, intentionally cause injury, two counts of unlawful assault and assault with a weapon.

Outlining the allegations, Sergeant Christopher Marlo said Mr Ramchen had worked as a teacher at Keysborough Secondary College for two years and learned on Tuesday through unknown means that his “teaching contract would not be renewed for the following year”.

It is alleged he left class and took a 4-inch knife from the kitchen before making his way to Principal Aaron Sykes’ office.

Sergeant Marlo alleged the teacher “immediately began assaulting (Mr Sykes) with the knife” and was found with the blade to Mr Sykes’ office by vice principal Matthew Sloan.

It is alleged Mr Sloan pulled Mr Ramchen off the principal and locked down the school when the accused man walked off.

A short time later, it’s alleged Mr Ramchen returned with a 12-inch knife and “held to the face of Sykes” before Mr Sloan and other staff subdued him.
Sergeant Marlo told the court Mr Ramchen allegedly “made full admissions” in his police interview and said he “wasn’t able to control his emotions”.

“I’ve never been so angry in my life,” he allegedly said.

A principal was stabbed during an incident at Keysborough Secondary College's Acacia campus on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: ABC

In a letter to parents and students overnight, Keysborough assistant principals Richard Hastings and Natalie Fode described the incident as “distressing”.

“Aaron was assisted by emergency services at the soonest opportunity and taken to hospital,” the letter read.

Paramedics at the scene. Picture: 7NEWS

“No students were involved in the incident in any way.

“The alleged perpetrator is with police and will not at any stage be back on school grounds.

“As this is currently a police matter, we cannot comment further.

“Any form of violence within our school is entirely unacceptable. We are proud of the safe and supportive culture that is the norm at our school.

“We want to assure you that the health and safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority.”

Keysborough Secondary College principal Aaron Sykes. Picture: Facebook

A Victoria Police spokesperson said in a statement that “officers quickly arrived on (the) scene and arrested a man (who) will be interviewed”.

“The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a stabbing,” they said.

“At this stage investigators believe the people involved are known to each other.”

Keysborough Secondary College’s Acacia campus. Picture: David Caird

Students were reported to have hidden under their desks for up to 20 minutes.

“We didn’t make a sound. It felt scary … I’m shocked,” one told the Herald Sun.

“A couple of minutes after the school bell rang, there was an emergency lockdown announcement.

“All the students and teachers had to get into one room and wait.”

The incident follows the recent introduction of new laws by Premier Jacinta Allan’s government that add three years jail time for knife-related crimes in Victoria, following an influx of recent violent incidents.

Originally published as ‘Distressing’: Man charged after allegedly stabbing principal at Keysborough Secondary College