IT'S not every day you receive an award in the presence of royalty.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But that's what happened last week when a group of Griffith High School students were rewarded for completing the Premier's Reading Challenge.
The presentations were made via video conference, with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary in attendance.
Teacher librarian Frank Sirianni said the occasion would be a special memory in years to come.
"It's something special to have the Danish royal couple there. You don't get that every day," Mr Sirianni said.
"There were only 15 state and 10 independent schools who were invited to be part of the audience.
"Here at Griffith High, our year 7 students take part in the challenge each year. It is designed to encourage students to read and increase literacy levels."
When NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell presented the reading challenge's top performing students with medals and certificates of achievement last Friday, he was joined at the ceremony held at Five Dock Public School by the royal couple.
Thirteen-year-old Shaleen Cox said she felt proud to have completed the challenge.
"I reckon it's exciting. I was happy I did it. It was important for us to be part of and I was proud of myself," she said.
Despite the royals only playing a small part in the presentation, classmate Ali Sarwary said he was glad they were there.
"It was pretty good," he said.
"I knew nothing about them before the video conference, but it was nice to have them be part of the ceremony anyway."