A high school principal in Melbourne's southeast is on the road to recovery after being allegedly stabbed by a colleague on Tuesday afternoon, an incident that forced the school into a sudden lockdown.
Violent Altercation on School Grounds
The incident unfolded at approximately 3pm on Tuesday at the Acacia campus of Keysborough Secondary College. Aaron Sykes, the school's principal, was involved in an altercation with a man, widely reported to be another teacher at the college.
During the confrontation, Sykes was stabbed at least once. Emergency services were called to the scene, and the injured principal was transported to hospital with what were later confirmed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Lockdown and Arrest Follow Stabbing
In response to the violent episode, the school was immediately placed into lockdown. Students reported having to take cover, including hiding under desks, as a safety precaution while the situation was brought under control.
Victoria Police swiftly arrested a man at the scene. The alleged attacker was also taken to hospital, where he remains under police guard. Authorities have confirmed the man is assisting with their ongoing investigation.
School Leadership Reassures Community
In a joint letter to the school community, campus principals Natalie Fode and Richard Hastings addressed the shocking event. They confirmed the college had been in contact with Aaron Sykes, who is "recovering well and in good spirits."
The leaders were emphatic in stating that no students were involved in the incident in any way. They also provided a firm assurance regarding the alleged perpetrator, stating, "The alleged perpetrator is with police and will not at any stage be back on school grounds."
Sykes has held the position of principal at Keysborough Secondary College since January 2024. The school has emphasised that support services are available for any student or staff member affected by the traumatic event.
Reaffirming the school's values, the leadership letter stated, "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." They added that any form of violence within the school community would not be tolerated.
