Welsh school stabbings ‘hard to comprehend’, say injured teachers
Two teachers who were injured in an alleged knife attack by a teenage girl at their school said it was “hard to comprehend” what happened, as they thanked the community for its support.
Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin were stabbed at Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday.
They were allegedly attacked by a 13-year-old pupil at the end of the morning break in an incident that also saw another pupil injured.
The school, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, was placed into lockdown for several hours.
All three were taken to hospital for treatment to knife injuries but were discharged the following day, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
Ms Elias, an assistant headteacher, said: “From the bottom of my heart, my family and I would like to say a huge thank you for all the messages we have received from far and wide over the past few days.
“I am deeply indebted to the police, ambulance service, and the NHS staff in Morriston for their excellent care and quick response.
“Many thanks also to the air ambulance for their excellent care of my colleague, Liz. This is another example of how vital this service is to us in Wales.
“Three of us were taken to hospital with injuries, but this incident has had an enormous impact on my colleagues and the wonderful pupils we have at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
“I cannot comprehend what staff and pupils experienced on Wednesday.
“I would like to thank all members of staff for prioritising the welfare and safety of pupils at the school for four hours, and the pupils for responding so maturely and sensibly in a situation that no one expects to happen.
“One of our school’s core values is ‘resilience’, and there is no doubt that pupils have demonstrated this value in coping with a situation they should never have experienced.
“The last few days have shown that there is no other community quite like the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman community, and we will be working to support each other in the coming days and weeks.
“Many thanks to the parents of the school for their co-operation and understanding at such a difficult time and, of course, to the wider community and external agencies who have been so willing to support the staff and pupils.”
Ms Hopkin, who is an additional learning needs coordinator, added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support shown to me and my family since the incident on Wednesday.
“I am deeply indebted to all the emergency services for their quick response and for the care provided to me and others who were admitted to hospital.
“Ysgol Dyffryn Aman is a big part of my life, and it is hard to comprehend that this has happened.
“However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for all the support and kind messages that I have received. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness from the close community that we have here.”
A teenage girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and was remanded into youth detention accommodation when she appeared at Llanelli magistrates’ court on Friday.
The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also accused of possessing a bladed article on a school premises.
She is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 24.
