Rossmoyne Senior High School parents sent letter to WA Police amid concerns about radicalised teen

Parental concerns about children being “forced” to attend Rossmoyne Senior High School’s prayer room by the radicalised teenager who went on to stab a stranger have been revealed in a letter to WA Police.

The boy, who The Nightly is identifying as James, was shot dead by police after stabbing a man in the back in a Bunnings car park in Willetton about 10.15pm on Saturday.

In a letter, dated April 3, sent by the parents of a student at the top high school, they told how messages found on their child’s phone had raised immediate red flags.

They included allegations that messages included information about conversion to Islamic religion, as well as “inducing fear to world end (and) Targeting other students for conversion”.

“In past we had reported to school about (our child) been forced to attend prayer room, which he declined,” the letter said.

“Me and my husband are worried for [our child] and our family’s safety,” the letter read.

“As a parent I am seriously concerned why my son was targeted.

“If we can be clarified about [whether] a prayer room is legal in public school premises.”

On the same day, the same parents sent similar worries in communications to Education Minister Tony Buti and Riverton MP Jags Krishnan.

The MP later sent a letter of support for the student to move from Rossmoyne Senior High School.

Dr Buti has since said the April 3 letter sent by the boy’s parents “rang alarm bells” and had been immediately referred to the Education Department.

The letter did not name any particular students — including James —as the source of the problem.

“The issue was about radicalisation, the letter did not express concern of community safety - (it was) more concerned about their child being radicalised,” he said.

Dr Buti said both Rossmoyne’s principal and lead psychologist spoke with the parents after the letter had been received.