School knife search powers ruled out after stabbings

A teenager faced court via video link on Wednesday after a stabbing at the Islamic College of Brisbane left a 17-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries.

It came 24 hours after a 15-year-old boy was hospitalised with abdominal wounds following an altercation at a high school in the state's far north.

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

"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 said the government was working hard to "break the culture of young people carrying knives" under the landmark Jack's Law.

That law allows police to search people using handheld metal detectors or wands in any public space without a warrant.

But Mr Purdie knocked back a suggestion after the stabbings that principals should be provided with similar powers, saying it should not be their responsibility.

"We don't want to start saying to principals that that's their job," he said.

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

The school defended its handling of the incident after parents raised concerns about communication during the emergency, saying it informed them as soon as the college received clearance from the relevant authorities.

''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,'' it said in a social media statement.

The school urged families not to comment on social media speculation, warning misinformation could cause ''unnecessary distress''.

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

The school said the boy was receiving medical care and recovering with no ongoing risk to students or staff.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils threw its support behind the school and community.

"This is a deeply distressing incident for the student, his family, the school and the wider Muslim community," president Rateb Jneid said in a statement.

"Our immediate concern is for the recovery of the injured student and the wellbeing of all children, families and staff who have been affected."

Police said the Islamic College 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 rushed to hospital and the 16-year-old fled before being found later in a vehicle about 5km away, police said.

The boy's matter was heard in Richlands Children's Court on Wednesday after he was charged with acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable and unlawful possession of weapons.

He appeared via video link and was granted bail on strict conditions, with the matter adjourned until September 3.

The stabbing in Brisbane's south 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 was subsequently charged.