Spanish pupil is a ‘big hit’ with fellow classmates in Stewartstown

Twelve-year-old Pablo Porres, from Seville, was welcomed with open arms by staff and pupils at Stewartstown Primary School this week as the new term got underway.

Pablo is residing with a local host family while his parents remain in Seville.

It is a brave step to take, leaving your family behind at such a young age, but one which Pablo and his family feel will benefit him for life.

Pablo’s father had the opportunity to attend university in Northern Ireland many years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed his time, embracing the local culture and values, treasuring his experience for life. His dream was that his son got to experience life in Northern Ireland as he did, learning and valuing different cultures and beliefs.

Now that dream is reality, thanks to Stewartstown Primary School.

Pablo and his family met with the school’s principal Ms Kendra Bolton and the chair of the Board of Governors Mrs Sandra Dougherty, in April.

They were most impressed with the standard of education on offer in the small, rural school and soon put the wheels in motion.

Pablo has been placed within the P7 class, where the local pupils have warmly welcomed him.

Being a keen football player, his shared interest with his fellow peers has been a great hit.

Ms Bolton commented on how well he has settled into school life in Stewartstown Primary.

“He is a lovely lad, who has settled into school extremely well. He is a big hit with his classmates, teaching them all about life in Spain and how to speak Spanish,” she said.

“We have so much to offer Pablo, and vice versa. Learning together and embracing each other’s cultural differences teaches our pupils mutual respect and understanding.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to be his host school for his time here in Northern Ireland.”

Last November, the school made headlines when it celebrated international success after its students scooped second prize in the Numeracy Challenge 2018, an inter-schools competition run by 3P Learning, creators of the online maths resource Mathletics, proven to increase pupils confidence.

Over the course of a week pupils from across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa competed online and pitted their wits against each other to gain as many points as possible in a bid to become their nation’s best mathletes.