Hearts were still soaring when the students from Kalinda School touched down at Griffith airport after returning from their trip to Sydney to see the Invictus Games.
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The group of year 12 students spent one wild week in Sydney, where they saw ex-servicemen and women with disabilities do battle on the sporting field.
Principal Angela Sampson said the students were still buzzing with excitement long after they returned to school.
“We wanted to give them an experience of a lifetime, but there’s more to it than that,” Ms Sampson said.
“I wanted them to understand no matter what disability they have there is no restriction for their goals in life.
“They should be seen as active citizens in society, and that it’s OK to have a disability.”
Aside from watching the Invictus Games, the students had a jam-packed week visiting Madame Tussauds wax museum, eating in Chinatown, and meeting the veteran athletes.
But for school leader Erin Docherty the most exciting part was riding in the airplane, especially when the plane went through turbulence.
Student Matthew Montalto said his favourite part was watching the rough and tumble of the wheelchair rugby, where he saw many high speed collisions.
Staff member Anj Rowley said her favourite part was “everything”, and that the whole week was fun for all the students, teachers, and family members who tagged along.
“The atmosphere and the comradery of those athletes was just unbelievable,” Ms Rowley said.
“What those men and women have achieved and overcome is simply incredible.”
This trip was a parting gift to the outgoing year 12 students, whose travelling expenses were entirely covered by donations from community groups and businesses.
The tickets to the Invictus Games were given to the school by the Department of Education and also by the Invictus organisers.
Kalinda School took back an Invictus flag signed by athletes and officials to keep as a memento of the fun week that was had by all.