When Paralympians were being officially honoured at Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, six Mittagong Public School students were right there with them.

Six members of the public school’s student representative council were the lucky few chosen to represent the school on the day, as they presented the medals and flowers to the official presenters before they were handed to the Paralympians.

The six students, Dean Bucknell, Jake Ryan, Jessica Lowe, Emma Moule, Nicole Stevens and Natalie Thomson were on the stage for the presentation of the women’s shot put, men’s 4 x 100m relay, men’s javelin and men’s 40m wheelchair race.

To add to the once in a lifetime experience for the students, Australia won gold in the relay and wheelchair races.

Mittagong Public School was one of 120 schools across Australia chosen for the Paralympic honour, and was the only school chosen between Casula and Canberra.

Mittagong Public School teacher Glen Vandine said it was an excellent experience for the children as they were able to part of the action.

“It was an excellent privilege,” Mr Vandine said.

“It’s really been an honour and we had such terrific kids and they did such a terrific job.

“Their parents couldn’t stop cheering for them.”

And Mr Vandine said all the students were just happy to be there.

“Everyone was just so proud to be there and be part of the whole action.

About 300 students from the school have travelled to Olympic Park for the Paralympics, eagerly watching the athletics, soccer and swimming.

“It’s a great step in encouraging community awareness of our elite Paralympic athletes,” Mr Vandine said.

The students were ‘amazed’ and ‘mind-boggled’ by the athletes, noting in particular the tremendous response to a breaststroker who had no arms.

Mr Vandine also said the school had prepared special activities prior to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, so the children were more aware of different cultures and how to make them welcome.

The Paralympics wound up yesterday with the closing ceremony signalling the end of another successful competition in the Olympic City.