They were just some of the most violent incidents to take place in Tamworth’s public schools in 2016.

The latest NSW Department of Education incident report revealed in the first half of last year, the Tamworth Principals Network, comprising of 34 primary and secondary schools in the region, had 23 serious incidents – up from 16 over the same period in 2015.

In the most serious incident, a female student left her classroom after refusing to follow instructions, before returning with a knife.

She “moved towards” her teacher and the principal, threatening to kill them. The situation was diffused when police arrived.

In March, a male student attacked another student with a pair of scissors, forcing the teacher to intervene and leaving the victim with scratches.

A police officer was kicked attempting to calm a male student who had been violent towards his teacher and damaged classroom property. Police were again called when a school went into lock down after a male student refused to follow teacher instructions and began wandering the school grounds.

In June, a principal notified police of a bomb threat that went through to the school’s voicemail, with the caller putting on a fake accent.

Paramedics were also called on two occasions. One student was treated for a head injury, after he was punched several times in a fight allegedly started by derogatory remarks, the report stated.

New England P&C District Council president Rachael Sowden said serious incidents were always a concern to parents, but given the large number of students and schools in the region, the numbers were quite small.

“Realistically, it is a very small proportion of students involved,” she said.

While the safety of teachers and students was paramount, Ms Sowden warned against giving up on violent or misbehaving students.

“What we need to do is put the support services around them to make sure this is not the behaviour they end up with for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Despite the troubling incidents, a Department of Education spokesman said schools were among the safest places in the community, with about 9000 students learning safely everyday across the 34 public schools in the Tamworth network.

“Violence and anti-social behaviour are not tolerated at school,” he said.

“Any student involved in violence, bringing a weapon or illegal drugs to school, or who engages in criminal behaviour at school is subject to the department’s discipline policy and their parents or carer will be notified.

“The department has a range of initiatives to support schools, including the provision of specialist advice, early intervention, management advice and additional welfare support where required.”

In 2016, the department classified incidents under several categories; violence (16), weapons (2), welfare (2), technology (1), drugs (0) and other (2).

Oxley Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly said police were mindful of the age of students when dealing with incidents at school.

“The expectation is that schools are a safe place,” he said.

“Police school liaison officers works with principals and high schools’ staff in the local area command. They are a contact point for school principals, and aim to increase positive relations.”