A Tribute to Señor Valera

 by Indie S

As Señor Valera leaves The Portsmouth Grammar School after seven years of service, it’s no surprise that the school is devastated at this immense loss. Personally, I believe that Victor deserves a huge amount of acknowledgment for his outstanding work over the years.

Every day without fail, Señor Valera lights up the faces of everyone around him with his kindness, warmth and enthusiasm, whilst also delivering the most memorable lessons to his avid students. Always making his tutor groups, classes and teachers laugh and smile, the corridors are going to miss his contagious humour. Giving seven years worth of pupils the best platform to achieve the top grades in Spanish, it goes without doubt that Señor Valera is a highly talented individual that inspires each and every one of his students to love the Spanish language. Even if languages wasn’t their strongest subject, Mr. Valera would surely make it their favourite. 

Furthermore, his capability to bring joy and happiness to a bad day is something that the school will miss hugely, and it’s just a shame that he could not teach and enlighten more PGS pupils to come. And I also feel sorry for the people that haven’t had the chance to have the famous Valera teaching experience; they have truly missed out.

Going on the Spanish Exchange year after year, Mr. Valera was able to massively help with a trip that has been one of the best experiences PGS pupils have had during their time at the school. Without him, none of these people could have made the life-long connections and experiences that they made during their week in Spain. Being an enormous part of the Modern Foreign Languages department at the school, it is clear that the department will miss his good vibes, charisma, energy, his thick Spanish accent, but most importantly, his tight-fitting shirts - they really held the department together. 

So it’s clear that we are all devastated at the loss of a noteworthy and celebrated individual, and someone who has made the lives of teachers and pupils ones that are positive, fun,  and memorable. But all we can do now is remember and celebrate his time here, and just wish him the best of luck going forward.

iAdios Señor!