James Kiernan died from heart attack at Shalom College

An email to a mourning private school community has revealed how three teachers tried desperately to save the life of their beloved colleague after he collapsed at his desk.

The principal of Shalom College has paid tribute to ‘much loved’ teacher James Kiernan who died from a heart attack at the school on Tuesday morning.

The principal of Shalom College has paid tribute to the “much loved” teacher who died from a heart attack at the school on Tuesday morning.

Principal Dan McMahon informed parents of Shalom College students of the death of religious education teacher James Kiernan via an email sent shortly before 11am on Tuesday.

In the email, Mr McMahon said Mr Kiernan collapsed at his desk soon after arrived at school from his Woodgate home around 7.30am on Tuesday, October 3.

Three nearby colleagues administered CPR to Mr Kiernan while an ambulance was enroute, but the staff and emergency services were unable to revive him.

Mr McMahon informed the student body at 8.30am that Mr Kiernan was under the care of Queensland Ambulance Service, and informed them of his death shortly before 10.50am.

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Mr Kiernan’s wife, Peta, came to his side and was with him when he died.

Mr McMahon remembered a devout man who will be much greatly missed by the school community.

“James loved his Catholic faith and lived it,” Mr McMahon said.

“James has been a much loved member of staff at Shalom since 2021 and would, perhaps, have taught more students here than the vast majority of teachers given that he had a full teaching load of Religious Education.

“He will be greatly missed in this community.

“May the God he loved so much, welcome him home and embrace, warmly, all those who loved James especially his family.”

Principal Dan McMahon (pictured) said James Kiernan was a devout man who would greatly missed by the school community.

Shalom College is offering counselling services to students and staff.

“Sometimes, events like this can trigger other events in their life that might not seem immediately relatable,” Mr McMahon said.

“I hope that everyone here knows that it is always OK to seek support.”

Mr McMahon said Mr Kiernan was survived by his wife Peta, three daughters and “a number of beautiful grandchildren who he loved deeply”.

Mr Kiernan died after suffering a critical medical incident at the school on Tuesday.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the man in his 50s died from a heart attack.

NewsMail offers our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr Kiernan and the Shalom College community.