Pat Casey remembered by his son.

Dad came to teaching after the war, attending an emergency teacher training college in Freckleton, Preston.

Before JCS, dad taught for a year in Boldon Colliery.  I am not sure of the name of the school.  I remember several of the teachers.  Hilda and Madge Pattie - My mother and I visited Hilda in Bedeburn Road a few years ago.  Wilf Wardle who taught art and was a fellow member of Jarrow Athletic Club.  Wilf always beat me.  I remember Charlie Plant, who was into the TA.  Dad was keen that I experienced some army life, so I saw Charlie several times on a TA salesman mission.  Miss Davis too I remember.  For many years, my mother thought my dad was working late at JCS when in fact he was in the staff room drinking tea, having a smoke and doing the crossword with Miss Davis.  He loved his tea and cigarettes.  I noticed in your website a comment that dad and Miss Davis had a 'thing going,’ I honestly believe this did not extend beyond a common love of crosswords.

In another website, an ex JCS pupil described how dad brought 'Shakespeare to life.’  Unfortunately, his oldest son, myself, showed a singular lack of interest in the bard.

I know dad loved his life at Jarrow Central.  We lived most of the time in Edith Street not too long a walk to the school.  I walked to school in the opposite direction at Harold Street encountering several 'bigger boys' from dad's school.  In winter, one or two snowballs came my way.

Dad left Jarrow Central through ill health in 1973/74.  My mum and dad moved to Alnwick to be close to my sister Tricia, who also taught at JCS in 1970/71.  Dad died a year later in 1975.

It is clear from your wonderful web site, that you and your fellow pupils held a good deal of regard for my father.  For this, I must thank you.

 Mike Casey June 2005