A Melbourne secondary school teacher has been charged with multiple offences after he allegedly stabbed the school's principal following a dispute over his employment contract.
Alleged Attack in Principal's Office
Kim Ramchen, 37, appeared in Dandenong Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, a day after the alleged violent incident at Keysborough Secondary College's Acacia campus. The court heard that Ramchen, an IT teacher, had been informed his contract would not be renewed for the 2026 school year.
Police allege that after finishing his final class at 3pm on Tuesday, Ramchen entered the office of 43-year-old principal Aaron Sykes armed with a four-inch (10cm) knife taken from a staff kitchen drawer. The court was told he then allegedly stabbed Sykes repeatedly in the forearm and held the knife to his throat.
Violent Struggle and School Lockdown
The situation escalated when assistant principal Matthew Sloan rushed into the office after hearing a scream. He allegedly found Ramchen kneeling on top of Sykes. Sloan reportedly grabbed Ramchen's wrist, pulling him off the principal and causing him to drop the knife and flee the room.
As the school went into lockdown, Ramchen allegedly seized a second, larger kitchen knife with a 12-inch (30cm) blade and waved it in Sykes' face. Several teachers eventually tackled Ramchen to the ground, wrestling with him and pinning him down. During the struggle, the blade was forced from his hand, cutting his fingers. He was restrained until police arrived.
"A Tidal Wave of Emotion"
Ramchen's lawyer, Abbie Roodenburg, told the court her client had gone to the principal's office to discuss his contract but "snapped" when the door was slammed in his face. She said Ramchen was unable to explain his actions, describing it as "like a tidal wave of emotion coming over him."
Sergeant Christopher Marlow stated that Ramchen made "full admissions" to retrieving the knives and carrying out the alleged stabbing. He allegedly told police he could not control his emotions and wanted to "completely incapacitate the principal," adding, "I've never been so angry in my life."
Aftermath and Bail Refused
Principal Aaron Sykes suffered cuts to his lip and forearm but has since been released from hospital. Ramchen has been charged with multiple offences, including recklessly engaging in conduct that placed a person in danger of serious injury and assault with a weapon.
Magistrate refused bail, citing the court's concerns over Ramchen's described "erratic" behaviour. He is scheduled to return to court on January 6.
Background of the Accused
The court heard that Ramchen, who had worked at the school for two years, has no prior criminal history. He was described as a highly educated and intelligent man, having achieved a perfect ENTER score of 99.95 in Year 12. Colleagues and family described him as quiet and withdrawn.
Ramchen is the financial provider for his wife and three-year-old son. His brother, Lev Ramchen, expressed shock at the allegations. The court also heard details of a family tragedy; Lev became his guardian after their mother, TV model Jacqui Ramchen, disappeared on April 10, 1992. Their father, Slavik, was charged with her murder a decade later, but the charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence before his death from cancer.
