A teacher is having surgery in hospital and a parent has been arrested after she allegedly stabbed him with scissors at a primary school in northern NSW on Tuesday morning.
The female parent, aged 31, has been charged by police after allegedly attacking the man on the grounds of Byron Bay Public School on Kingsley Street at around 7:20am.
Zane Vockler, 28, was taken to Byron Central Hospital with cuts to his arms and face, while the school was placed into lockdown.
He was later transferred to Tweed Hospital where he is undergoing surgery. He is in a stable condition.
Police charged the woman with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and trespassing.
The NSW Department of Education said strict security measures — which resulted in the school being put in lockdown — were taken following the incident.
"Counselling has been made available to staff and students," the spokesperson said.
Parent Luke Jolly described Mr Vockler, known by the children as "Mr V", as a "gentle and caring" teacher.
"My daughter had him as a teacher for a year," he said.
"He's a lovely, wonderful man. He loves the kids and the kids love him — and he's well loved by all the parents too."
Mr Jolly said the school community had been shocked by the incident.
"No-one in any workplace should encounter this, but our teachers are a very special part of our society," he said.
"And it's a sacred job. And for him to have to face that when he's such a giving, caring soul it's just very sad."
A member of the public school posted on the Byron Bay Community Board on Facebook to inform people of the alleged stabbing.
"Attention parents of Byron Bay Public School kids. There has been an incident at the school this morning which has resulted in a teacher being hospitalised," it read.
"We have been reassured that our child and all the children are safe.
"Just wanted to let everyone know, in case you wanted to contact the school and check on the wellbeing of your child, although they can't share any details of the incident."
