Why were Shore School staff upset about Dr. John Collier's Guard of Honour?

Staff were upset because Dr. Collier had previously described Lilie James' killer as an 'absolute delight', and the honour came after chilling details of her murder emerged.

What were the key findings of the Lilie James murder inquest?

The inquest found Paul Thijssen's attack on Lilie James was indicative of a persistent pattern of gendered and domestic violence against women in Australia.

Did Dr. John Collier avoid consequences for his comments about Lilie James' killer?

Some staff members believe Dr. Collier avoided 'real consequences,' despite the school issuing apologies and him receiving education on gendered violence.

Home / Education / Staff Outraged by Guard of Honour for Headmaster Praising Killer

Staff Outraged by Guard of Honour for Headmaster Praising Killer

13 Dec

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Summary

Headmaster praised Lilie James' killer as 'absolute delight'.
Staff disgusted by Guard of Honour for Headmaster after murder details.
Inquest revealed Lilie James' murder part of gendered violence pattern.

Staff Outraged by Guard of Honour for Headmaster Praising Killer

Disgusted staff at Shore School have voiced outrage after outgoing headmaster Dr. John Collier was honoured with a Guard of Honour, mere hours after a coroner detailed the brutal murder of Lilie James. Dr. Collier had controversially described James' killer, Paul Thijssen, as an 'absolute delight' in a newsletter, stating he was 'not a monster'. The inquest, concluding on November 27, 2025, classified Thijssen's attack as indicative of the persistent scourge of gendered violence in Australia.

Several staff members anonymously shared their distress, with one stating the celebration made her 'sick to her stomach' and another claiming Dr. Collier avoided 'real consequences.' They felt the event was in extremely poor taste, especially after Ms. James' grieving father pleaded with media not to share positive comments about perpetrators. The school had previously apologized for Dr. Collier's remarks, and he underwent education on gendered violence.