Students return after incident

Students are returning to school today after a suspected stabbing at Tawa College, which left one person in hospital.

The school was closed yesterday due to a pre-planned teacher-only day, after it was forced into lockdown by Tuesday’s incident.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and appeared in Porirua Youth Court yesterday.

Another person remains in a serious condition in the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital.

Police said they understood it was unsettling for those involved and wanted to reassure the community that it was an isolated incident.

Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Melanie Webber said in a statement yesterday: ‘‘Recent incidents show that levels of violence in our school communities are escalating.

‘‘Schools needed more pastoral support at the grassroots level – more experienced and skilled school counsellors working with both students and their families.’’