Tributes have flowed for a former school principal who died after falling through a skylight while working at St Margaret Mary’s School, Spotswood.
Paul Hogan is believed to have been retrieving balls from the roof when he fell through a skylight more than three metres to the concrete ground below about 2.30pm on June 28.
The 61-year-old was taken to hospital with critical head injuries, where he died on Friday.
WorkSafe is investigating.
Mr Hogan devoted his career to catholic education. His first role was in a classroom and he taught at many schools in Melbourne’s north-west.
He became principal at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Sunbury, in 2009. In 2016, he was appointed principal at St Mary’s School in Ascot Vale, until his retirement six years later in 2022.
Mr Hogan continued working as a part-time and casual relief teacher at St Anne’s School, Sunbury, St Mary’s School, Ascot Vale, and St Margaret Mary’s School, Spotswood.
The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) released a statement saying the community is saddened by Mr Hogan’s death.
MACS executive director, Dr Edward Simons, said Mr Hogan was a highly regarded educator and leader.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Paul’s family, friends and colleagues, and we hold all of those impacted in our hearts and prayers,” he said.
‘Paul was a friend and mentor to many in our MACS community, and he will be dearly missed. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.
Community members and sporting clubs from across Sunbury and the north-west pay tribute to him.
Rupertswood Football Club said he was a much loved person at the club as an umpire for FIDA and reserves teams.
“Paul spent many hours helping team managers and our assistant coaches. An amazing mentor to our juniors during 2014-2018 seasons, as well as helping out around the club and volunteering his time when he could.”
In a page for past Our Lady of Mount Carmel School students and teachers, people spoke about Mr Hogan being an amazing principal and “wonderful understanding person” and a “genuine nice person”.
St Margaret Mary’s School’s sister school, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Newport, also paid tribute.
“On behalf of the Sacred Heart school community, I extend our deepest sympathies to our sister parish school, St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, on the sudden passing of your colleague, Paul Hogan,” they said in a statement.
“We especially pray for Colleen McCambridge, [the] SMM principal and dear friend of Paul’s, the staff and all those impacted by Paul’s passing. We are thinking of you and sending strength and comfort at this difficult time.”
