Shalom College students honour departing principal with emotional guard of honour
A principal who turned around countless young lives has received a hero's send-off after nearly two decades of dedicated service at one Queensland school.
The beloved principal of a Bundaberg private school is preparing for a “bittersweet” goodbye as he enters his final week on the job after 17 years.
Dan McMahon has been Principal of Shalom College since 2008, and he will move on after this year to lead the St. Leo’s community at the University of Queensland.
Throughout his time at Shalom, Mr McMahon implemented the house system, made changes to timetable structures to open up VET options, and made a lasting impact on staff and students, past and present who had the privilege of passing Mr McMahon in the halls.
In a heartwarming display of gratitude, Shalom students surprised Mr McMahon with a guard of honour in his final week.
A video posted to Shalom College’s Facebook page shows Mr McMahon interacting with every individual in the guard of honour line up, whether it be a handshake, a pat on the back, or a cheeky joke shared between him and his students, whose admiration for their principal shines through in the clip.
The video has received lots of love from the Shalom community, with people sharing their fond memories in the comments.
Glen Windsor thanked Mr McMahon for providing a stable learning environment for his son.
“My wife and I are very grateful and we wish the best fortunes in your future endeavours,” he said.
“A good principal and a good bloke,” wrote Danny Carswell.
“They don’t always come as a pair.”
Kim O’Shea Hard, a former colleague, said she loved working with Dan.
“Look at all of that connection,” she said.
“Legend! You did good.”
“Thank you Mr McMahon for being the sturdy, reliable, lead of this wonderful school during our daughter’s years there,” wrote Kelly Spencer.
RJ Edgar thanked him for supporting the performing arts department at Shalom.
“A school and each of its departments are only strong if the leader of all is strong and supportive,” she wrote.
Helen Ace described Mr McMahon as an “extraordinary principal.”
“Your dedication, passion, and commitment to the students and staff will be deeply missed,” she said.
“You will always be remembered as a leader who made a difference.”
Jane Setter wished him luck in his new chapter.
“Thank you Dan for all that you have done for the students, the school and the community,” she said.
“Bundy’s loss is certainly St Leo’s gain.”
St Leo’s College at the University of Queensland, where Mr McMahon will be the chief executive and head of college from 2026, commented “we promise we’ll take good care of him”.
Mr McMahon said he was looking forward to a new challenge, but also took time to reminisce on his time at Shalom.
He said he was most proud of the culture the staff had built at the school, sharing stories of past students.
“Young people come to school each day and feel safe and know that someone is looking after them,” he said, recalling the time a Muslim student was appointed school captain.
“Hamza was outstanding and it was a clear statement to our community that everyone is welcome here.”
He also mentioned a conversation he had with two recent Year 12 graduates when they were in Year 9, expressing his concerns the pair would not make it to Year 10.
“But they did - not always easily - but with determination and commitment from some key staff who supported them, they completed their time here pretty successfully,” he said.
“I am very confident that each of them will not go on to have successful careers.
“Work doesn’t get much better than that.”
Mr McMahon described teaching as a gift and offered some words of advice to the next principal stepping into the role.
“Don’t get chained to your office,” he said.
“Get out and about and make sure you get to know young people and that they get a chance to know you.
“Be visible and present. Be clear about who we are and what we offer.
“Enjoy working with young people and, if the day ever comes that you don’t, get out and sell cars or insurance or anything else.”
In a speech delivered in Parliament last week, Hinkler MP David Batt praised Mr McMahon for the environment he has created for students of the school, including Mr Batt’s two daughters.
In his speech, Mr Batt described Mr McMahon as “a man who countless youngsters can thank for guiding them on the right path”.
He said his leaving Shalom would “herald the end of a wonderful era”, noting Mr McMahon’s leadership had made Shalom one of the best schools in regional Queensland.
Mr Batt finished his speech by thanking Mr McMahon for everything he had done over the past 17 years.
“Dan you will be missed, all the very best, and god bless.”
