A teacher accused of stabbing a Melbourne school principal has indicated he will plead guilty and is negotiating an offer with the prosecution. Kim Ramchen, 37, faces five charges including recklessly engaging in conduct, intentionally causing injury and assault with a weapon over the stabbing in December 2025.
The Keysborough College teacher is accused of arming himself with a knife from the school kitchen and stabbing principal Aaron Sykes after being told his contract would not be renewed. Ramchen was due to face Dandenong Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link from prison, but did not appear for the brief hearing.
His lawyer Ruth Parker said Ramchen was aware of what was happening and they proceeded in his absence. She said a psychological report had been prepared after concerns about Ramchen’s mental fitness. A hearing in February was told Ramchen had been diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and PTSD, but was not unwell while in custody.
Parker said on Wednesday a fresh psychiatric report found he had “very serious issues”, but he was fit to give instructions and Ramchen had met with one of her staff on Tuesday. “In those circumstances, Your Honour, what is proposed is that the matter be adjourned to a future date for plea hearing,” Parker told the court.
Ramchen, an IT teacher, had been working at the school for two years and was informed his contract would not be renewed for 2026. After finishing his final class at 3pm he allegedly walked into Sykes’ office with a large knife taken from a staff kitchen drawer, stabbed the principal repeatedly in the forearm and held the knife to his throat. Assistant principal Matthew Sloan intervened, and Ramchen was eventually tackled by teachers and restrained until police arrived.
Magistrate Frances Medina set a one-hour plea hearing for April 29 at Dandenong court, where Ramchen will appear remotely from prison. Ramchen is also the son of former Price Is Right host Jacqui Ramchen, who disappeared in 1992.
