A NSW Department of Education report for January to June 2016 shows 26 incidents were reported in the Bathurst Principals Network, compared with 22 in the Orange network and 18 in the Macquarie network (which includes Dubbo).

In one of the incidents in Bathurst, a mother of three students at a school spat in the face of a school administration manager following a “perceived error with a school receipt”.

Of the 26 reported incidents in Bathurst, 14 were for violent acts.

There were five drugs cases during the reporting period, three weapons cases, one case of inappropriate use of technology, and three that fell into the department’s ‘other’ category.

Students used knives to threaten and intimidate fellow students and teachers, drugs were found on school premises and property was damaged. In many cases, police and ambulance officers were called.

Among the violent acts was one on March 8 when an “agitated” male student picked up a chair and threw it at a teacher before verbally abusing him.

The same student then assaulted a female student in the playground.

“During the disciplinary meeting the [student] has become verbally abusive, using offensive language, and punched a hole in the wall,” the report stated.

On March 18, the mother of an “agitated” and “distressed” male student was called to the school. The student became violent towards her and attempted to assault the relieving principal.

And on May 27, a school was placed in lockdown after a male student produced a knife.

The number of incidents in Bathurst was up compared with the same time period in 2015 when there were 20 reported.

Despite the number of incidents in Bathurst, a Department of Education spokesman said “our schools are among the safest places in our community for children and young people”.

“However, from time to time, incidents do affect schools,” he said.

The spokesman said principals must notify the department following any incident.

“If the principal believes the incident may involve a criminal offence they are required to also notify NSW Police,” he said.

Schools are required to report incidents relating to violence, weapons, illegal drugs, other criminal activities, natural disasters, suspected suicides, and missing students if there is a safety concern.