School plays host to Paralympic team (From Watford Observer)

Haitian Paralympic team's thrilling visit to Watford Grammar School for Girls

4:41pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

Pupils from a school in Watford welcomed the “very special visit” of five members of the Haitian Paralympic team during the Games.

Watford Grammar School for Girls, in Ladys Close, was also joined by Malcolm Wallace, the head coach of the team who was welcomed on stage in both English and French by Helen Hydge, headteacher at the school.

The coach introduced the athletes to the pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9 at the visit on Thursday, September 6, and spoke about their events and the struggle the team has faced to get to the London games.

He said the athletes felt they were representing a nation that has had to overcome more than most, since the earthquake in January 2010.

Steve Johnson, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "The girls were overwhelmed because the team were people they have seen on TV and now they were standing in front of them.

"The girls have been really interested in the Olympics and Paralympics, so naturally they were very interested and intrigued.

"The coach spoke about the hope to triple the size of the team at Rio, which is six at the moment, which really interested the girls because of ambition and they are always excited about what they want to do next.

"It was the perfect visit."

The school has also been visited recently by former pupil Emma Wiggs,   now a member of the Paralympic sitting volleyball team.