Shore principal John Collier has ignited a debate after describing a sports assistant who allegedly murdered his female colleague as “an absolute delight” and “not a monster.” These comments have drawn criticism from the NSW women’s minister and raised important questions about addressing domestic violence in the country.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also urged men to speak out against the “scourge” of domestic violence, following the deaths of five women allegedly killed by men in the past two weeks.
The tragedy unfolded less than two weeks ago when 21-year-old St Andrew’s Cathedral School sports assistant Lilie James was found dead. She had been followed into a gym bathroom by Paul Thijssen, a fellow sports coach, with whom she had recently ended a brief relationship. Tragically, Thijssen’s body was later discovered at sea cliffs in Sydney’s east.
John Collier, the head of Shore, a prestigious all-boys school in the city’s north, was previously the headmaster of St Andrew’s Cathedral School from 2010 to 2021, during which time Thijssen attended as a student.
In a school newsletter sent to parents, Collier shared his perspective, asserting that Thijssen was “not a monster” and reflecting on the concept of “looking into the face of savagery.” Collier described Thijssen as “an absolute delight” and expressed his shock, given that Thijssen had been a fine student, a prefect, and a role model during his time at the school. Collier noted the chilling contrast between Thijssen’s actions in the last five hours of his life and his behavior throughout his short life.
Collier further delved into the inexplicable and unimaginable nature of the extreme violence, raising questions about the impact of sexual violence in pornography on young men. He also noted that the community may never fully understand the factors influencing Thijssen’s behavior.
In response to Collier’s remarks, NSW Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Jodie Harrison, condemned domestic violence, emphasizing that there is no excuse for it. She suggested that Collier should reflect on his words and consider the message they send not only to the school’s students but to the wider community.
A spokesperson for Shore defended the content of the newsletter, asserting that Collier’s deepest condolences were with Lilie James and those who knew her. They emphasized that the intention was not to create additional distress but to explore appropriate responses in a school that aims to “build good men” and promote respect for women.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking in Darwin, stressed the responsibility of governments and all individuals, particularly men, to speak out against domestic violence. He highlighted the alarming statistic that, on average, one woman per week is killed by someone she knows due to domestic violence.
