Vale

Patrick (Pat) Hamilton

Our long term IEU Principal Branch member Patrick Hamilton, fondly known as Pat, passed away in early October after battling an aggressive illness.

Pat joined the IEU in 1987, as a beginning teacher at St Joseph’s Belmont and then dedicated 28 years of service to Catholic education in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese. He studied teaching as a mature aged student after working as a manager with the CIG gas company and a wardsman at the Mater Hospital in Waratah.

Pat taught in a variety of local Catholic schools in Newcastle with a dedicated focus on making learning real to his students. He was a gifted musician and used these talents to great advantage as a means for students to learn about life, relationships and justice. Pat’s teaching career saw him take on roles as assistant principal and acting principal, finally ending with the position of principal at Holy Cross, Glendale; a community of which he was immensely proud. Pat passed this wonderful legacy of lifelong learner and teacher to two of his children, Olivia and Joe, who are now both teachers themselves.

Pat always shared his talents with the schools in which he taught. He established choirs, produced musicals, taught guitar and created beautiful pieces of visual art with the kids. He was a true advocate of the creative arts in education. He saw the arts as a place for his students to wonder, to communicate and enjoy the beauty that each day brings.

Pat’s legacy to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is alive and evident in the gentleness and humility shown among the students, staff and parents of the communities in which he taught.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Pat’s family: Julie, Olivia, Juliette and Joe at this sad time.