TORONTO High mathematics teacher Graham Hudson OAM has received a standing ovation over Zoom from his students, after reaching a milestone 50 years with the Department of Education.
Principal Mark McConville said Mr Hudson had let the achievement slip in one of his online classes earlier this week and the news had "spread like wildfire" among his students.
"He's had a big impact on a large number of people," Mr McConville said.
"He thought it was unbelievable that our Facebook post about him got such a big reaction, he's heard from people he hasn't spoken to in 30, 40, 50 years.
"Any student that has had the fortune to have Graham as their maths teacher is extremely lucky. He is an outstanding educator."
Mr Hudson started teaching at Tenterfield High, before he was conscripted in 1970 and posted to Singapore and Malaysia as part of the peacekeeping operation.
He taught at Broadmeadow High - now known as Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) - and Dungog High before retiring in 2010, but has since continued teaching at Cardiff, Newcastle, Whitebridge and HSPA. He has been at Toronto since 2018.
His younger brother Leo or 'Mr Toronto' has taught at the school since 1975 and retired in around 2012, but is still there teaching German and French.
"The Hudson boys are absolute legends of education in Newcastle and we're very lucky to have them both here at the school," Mr McConville said.
"They're both amazing teachers and amazing people.
"They both feel being in teaching there's a sense of purpose and that they're contributing and making a difference."
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