An 18-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of another student at a Far North Queensland private school.
Marc Rajan Taylor is accused of stabbing the woman, also 18, at Peace Lutheran College in the suburb of Kamerunga in Cairns on Tuesday morning.
She remains in a critical condition at the Cairns hospital.
Police alleged Mr Taylor approached the woman as she sat with friends during a school break, before allegedly stabbing her with a knife multiple times.
He was restrained by staff and other students at about 10:25am.
Mr Taylor appeared briefly at the Cairns Magistrates Court this morning via video link from the local watchhouse, after being charged by detectives on Tuesday night.
He was represented by duty lawyer Derek Perkins, who did not apply for bail on behalf of his client.
Mr Perkins told the court his client had been seen by the mental health unit this morning and was still waiting on the assessment.
He asked the court, before Magistrate Cathy McLennan, that the matter be adjourned until June 12 for a bail application.
Magistrate McLennan told the court she hoped there was no change to the young woman's condition.
School issues statement
The incident has rocked the tight-knit independent college, which has fewer than 700 students from prep to Year 12.
A school spokesperson said in a statement that it was focused on supporting all members of the community who had been affected by the alleged incident.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of our community during this difficult time," the spokesperson said.
"The safety and wellbeing of all members of our community is our highest priority.
"We ask the community to keep our injured student in their prayers."
Forensic police officers returned to the crime scene today.
The matter will return to court next month.
