Principal Message

The first time I stepped on the property of Laureate College, it was clear I had arrived at a special place. The magnificent castle-like building surrounded by pristine woodlands immediately intrigued me. In today’s hectic world, this setting provides an ideal learning environment.

Laureate College is indeed a best-kept secret in the Halton Region. I consider it a privilege to be part of the leadership team that will launch its elementary program for the 2025-2026 school year, starting January 2025. As the school’s principal, I will work hard to develop strong relationships with the parents and families who trust us with the education of their child. Students do best when they feel valued and know the adults in their immediate environment care about their well-being. This forms the foundation of my philosophy.

My career in education has spanned over 35 years and has provided rich opportunities for leadership and professional growth. During my first 12 years, I worked in 3 different school boards and taught students at both the secondary and elementary levels. I then became a Vice Principal in the Halton District school board. After 3 years in this role, I became a principal, a role I enjoyed for 17 years. During this period, I served as Principal in schools across Oakville and Milton. During the latter part of my career, I had the pleasure of opening a new elementary school in Milton and then worked as a System Principal, a role where I attended meetings across Ontario and monitored the implementation of Halton’s French and English as a Second Language programs. These roles and opportunities allowed me to learn and grow so I could better serve the needs of my school community. After retiring from public education, I worked for a teacher recruitment company in London, England. This was a very different experience, and I felt privileged to visit teachers’ colleges across Canada and help new teachers find teaching jobs in the UK. During my last 3 years, I gained valuable experience as the Principal of Wildwood Academy in Oakville, a private school that serves the needs of students with learning disabilities.

I now find myself at, what will be, the final stage of my career. I am excited to embark on this journey with the staff, students and families who will become part of the Laureate Elementary community. As a community STEAM school, our young learners will ignite their intellectual curiosity and creativity while cultivating a deep connection to the natural world—a source of inspiration and resources for creating, reinventing, and transforming their lives. Equally important, they will build meaningful peer connections and nurture a sense of belonging and collaboration, enabling them to grow academically and socio-emotionally within a supportive environment filled with endless opportunities. I hope you will become part of this exciting journey.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Hamilton, Principal
Laureate Elementary School