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Robyn Wuth and Laine Clark

Student searches ruled out as stabbings rock schools

The Islamic College of Brisbane has defended its communications to parents during an emergency. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

School safety fears sparked by two stabbings in as many days are being played down by a state government, which is ruling out boosting search powers.

Queensland schools are "overwhelmingly safe", Police Minister Dan Purdie says, describing this week's stabbings as tragic incidents.

A teenager will face court after a stabbing at the Islamic College of Brisbane on Tuesday left a 17-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries.

It came after a 15-year-old boy was hospitalised with abdominal wounds following an altercation at a far north high school on Monday.

Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie (file image)
Police Minister Dan Purdie insists Queensland's schools are overwhelmingly safe. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The incidents occurred during the first week back from holidays for schools in the state.

"Schools are safe, overwhelmingly safe. My kids are back at school this week," Mr Purdie told reporters on Wednesday.

"We are doing everything we can to restore community safety right across Queensland."

Mr Purdie ruled out boosting police presence at schools and knocked back a suggestion principals should be allowed to search students, saying it should not be their responsibility.

"Principals run their schools and their main priority is keeping kids educated and in schools, and we don't want to start allocating that position for principals," he said.

"If a teacher or a parent is suspicious about someone at a school, police have the power to take that action now.

"Police have clear stop-and-search powers when it comes to anyone they reasonably suspect of having a weapon."

knife
There were two stabbings in as many day at separate Queensland high schools. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

Police say the Islamic College of Brisbane incident involved two teenage boys who knew each other.

A 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed the 17-year-old, from Logan, with a small knife.

The injured boy was treated at the scene before being rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Police allege the 16-year-old fled and was later found in a vehicle about 5km away.

He is expected to face Richlands Children's Court on Wednesday, charged with acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable, and unlawful possession of weapons.

The school defended its handling of the incident after parents raised concerns over communication during the emergency.

Signage at Richlands Courthouse (file image)
A teenager will face a children's court charged over a school stabbing which injured another boy. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Extra wellbeing staff and counsellors were on campus when regular classes began operating on Wednesday after the school provided an update on the injured student. 

In a message to parents and carers posted on social media, the school said the boy was receiving medical care and ''recovering'', with no ongoing risk to students or staff.

It acknowledged the incident had been distressing for the community.

It flagged several parents had asked why communication during the incident was limited and urged families not to comment on social media speculation, warning misinformation could cause ''unnecessary distress''.

''During emergency situations such as lockdowns and major incidents, the college follows established emergency management protocols and works closely with Queensland Police and other emergency services,'' the social media statement said.

police
The school says it works closely with Queensland Police during emergencies. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

''All communications during these events are made in consultation with the relevant authorities to ensure they do not compromise the safety of students, staff, emergency responders, or the integrity of the police investigation.

''Parents were informed as soon as the college received clearance from the relevant authorities to communicate.''

The stabbing occurred a day after a separate incident at Cairns' Trinity Bay State High School that left a 15-year-old boy in hospital in a stable condition.

Another 15-year-old boy allegedly fled on foot and was found nearby about half an hour later and charged.

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