After a public school in Dubbo was forced into lockdown and four students required medical attention because an allegedly knife-wielding 16-year-old student and others got into a brawl last week, the NSW Department of Education has said "schools are among the safest places in our community".
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When asked if any students were suspended or expelled after the incident at Dubbo College South Campus, a spokesman said "it would be inappropriate for the Department to comment further" because police were investigating the incident.
The spokesman declined to answer questions about how long students were kept in their classrooms last Wednesday and if there were any plans to reduce high assault rates in schools.
"Schools can search a student's bag and possessions including their locker if they have reason to believe the student is in possession of a knife or other dangerous weapon," he said.
"The school may also contact the police and where appropriate police may conduct a search.
"Principals will take strong action when inappropriate behaviour interferes with the safety of the school community.
"The Department's incident support unit, which includes seconded NSW Police officers, provides advice and coordinates support and advice to schools."
Counselling was offered to students and staff who witnessed the knife incident, and the offer was still ongoing, the spokesman confirmed.
State Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said like many local community members, he was "shocked" when he first heard about what had happened.
"I have discussed the matter with the Minister for Education, and it is my understanding that the Department is conducting an investigation," Mr Saunders said.
"I will have further discussions with the relevant ministers to discuss measures that can be implemented moving forward.
"When parents send their children to school, they should do so with an expectation that incidents like last week's will not take place and their children will come home safe."
A police spokeswoman said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
Government data released last week revealed the number of assaults in public schools the Macquarie Principal Network, which included schools in Dubbo, Narromine and Trangie, were at a four-year high.
"The government's got to get to the root cause of this problem and fix it, surely as one of its most important priorities," the NSW Opposition's education spokeswoman Prue Car said.
