MALCOLM Wright, who retired at the end of term, is the one teacher known to every Portlander who has attended what is now the Royal Manor Arts College over the past 34 years.

Among his many pupils, he has taught those who are now parents with children at RMAC and others who passed through his classes and eventually became his teaching colleagues.

His belief has always been that to keep a good relationship with students you need to be strict, setting out guidelines with the younger students and being friendlier with the older ones as they want to be treated like adults.

Mr Wright joined Portland County Secondary Modern School in September 1975 as a probationary teacher for general science and at the same time, with his main hobby being sailing, he joined the Coastguard.

His career at RMAC saw him take on the roles of head of upper school and acting deputy headteacher and throughout the 1990s Malcolm developed careers work which resulted in the Investor in Careers recognition which has been maintained for 10 years.

Following an interview with their retiring teacher, Leanne Stone and Nicola Jones wrote a tribute to him in which they said: “Throughout his career the thing Mr Wright has most enjoyed is meeting lots of different types of people, both students and teachers alike, and he said that at Royal Manor the people are genuine and there is something special about them.”

At end of term assembly, Mr Wright received numerous cards and gifts from pupils and parents and at a final gathering of his colleagues and governors he was presented with a pen and ink collage by Keith Whittock which showed, in 34 hexagonal designs, his achievements during his 34 years at RMAC.

Showing the esteem in which he has been held, headteacher Paul Green said: “Many tributes have been paid to Malcolm and I particularly agree with the words of former headteacher Marcia Headon who said ‘parents like and respect Mr Wright and know that if he has promised to do something then it will be done’."

Perhaps the biggest accolade of all was that a very large notice was placed on top of the hill at the hairpin bend in New Road , conveying the sentiments of staff and pupils which read ‘this is Mr Wright’s last week at RMAC. We will all miss you’.

Mr Wright, 55, said: “I feel sad at leaving as the past 34 years, has been more than a job.”

A station officer at Wyke coastguard, now that he has retired from teaching he is hoping to extend his role within the service.