Parents or teachers who believe children might be drawn to extremist views need to put their hand up and tell authorities, NSW Police say.
It follows allegations from counterterrorism police that a 17-year-old boy has been preaching extremist Islamic views in the playground of Epping Boys High School.
The police are investigating whether the Year 12 student has been attempting to influence his peers to adopt his extremist views.
But the boy was overheard by another student telling a teacher earlier this week he was only being investigated because he was a Muslim.
“Young people are becoming increasingly involved in this type of activity,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said.
Mr Murdoch said young people were highly susceptible and drawn to what they saw was a “glamorous” and “exciting” lifestyle.
“If (adults) detect signs in their children, changes in behaviour (including) becoming increasingly isolated ... they need to put their hand up and signal that they are concerned.”
The Australian reported the investigation centres on the student of Afghan heritage who is close to Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadzai, an alleged Sydney jihadist in custody awaiting trial on a string of charges, including the near-fatal shooting of a man outside a gay club in Rydalmere and a ram-raid at Macquarie Shopping Centre.
The boy, who reportedly sports a scruffy beard but does not wear a skull cap, or his younger brother in Year 9, turned up to school on Friday. He also has an older brother who graduated from Epping Boys High, students said.
The boy was reported to the national security hotline by the mother of a fellow student after an apparent confrontation outside one of their homes.
The school did not become aware of the allegations until contacted by police.
It is understood the boy had been running the lunchtime pray classes without the supervision of the school or through scripture classes run typically by the NSW Islamic Council.
The boy was running the pray classes several times a week in a classroom during the lunch break.
The school had sanctioned the classes but they were not part of the Muslim Special Religious Education classes being run at the school.
Participation in these official classes requires parental permission and the school says the content is regularly monitored.
A friend of the Year 12 student said the issue had been blown out of proportion and was the result of an argument between two students.
He said he had spoken to him about the news reports. The school has taken no action against the boy who is due to start his HSC trials shortly.
“He’s a good guy. I spoke to him today. My mate said to me he hasn’t spoken to any cops,” he said.
NSW Police believe the boy has twice tried to travel to Syria — once in 2013 and a second time last May. He was stopped at the airport both times.
One student described the boy as a “lovely, nice boy” and overheard the boy talking to a teacher on Tuesday about his dispute with another non-Muslim student.
“He said he didn’t threaten him and it was just a disagreement. He said it was unacceptable and feels he is being picked on because he is Muslim,” he said.
Another student who has a friend in the pray group said he was told the boys simply pray and do not talk about anything extremist.
A Muslim mother dropping her son at the school this morning said Islamic State was discussed in the rogue pray classes.
“One week ago we had really problem with some student in this school and we work with the principal and everybody,” she said.
“With some Muslim student at the school, some student encouraged another student, and they are talking about IS group.
“I heard this school sometimes has a problem, especially with a Muslim.”
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan says school teachers must be trained to spot radicalised behaviour among students and parents must guard their children against online terrorists just as they guard against internet paedophiles.
Mr Keenan said schools were part of the nation’s frontline defences against homegrown terrorism and the government was introducing training to help students spot potential radicalised behaviour among students.
The minister declined to comment on media reports about the counter terror investigation.
He said schools were part of the front line defence against homegrown terror, as was vigilance among parents of their children’s online activities.
“Just as parents and families have gained a greater understanding of the dangers posed by online sexual predators there needs to be an increased awareness of the threat from online terrorist groups,” Mr Keenan said in an address to the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Friday.
Epping principal Tim O’Brien said the school was working closely with the Education Department and police “to uphold our exemplary levels of student safety and student wellbeing”.
“It is important I emphasise that student safety, wellbeing and support is our absolute highest priority at all times,” Mr O’Brien said.
“School counsellors are available for all boys, if required, today or in the future.
“All normal lessons and activities are proceeding today according to timetable.”
P & C President Susan Day said she was pleased Mr O’Brien had kept her up to date on the unfolding story.
“I do have full faith in Mr O’Brien and the executive to do the right thing by the boys and keep the community informed,” Ms Day said.
Bennelong Federal Liberal MP John Alexander described the investigation as “deeply concerning”.
“Radicalisation in schools is a challenge facing our country, and it is sad to see it reaching Bennelong’s schools,” Mr Alexander said.
He said the best way to build resilience to radicalisation was through well-informed families, communities and local institutions.
“It is important that anyone who is in danger of becoming radicalised is diverted to a different path as early as possible before they harm themselves or others,” he said.
“Schools are instrumental in this, and Australian governments are working together to develop training resources for teachers, principals and other frontline professionals on how to recognise and reach out to at-risk individuals in our schools and universities.”
Information and resources on how to identify signs of radicalisation are available online.