A chopper on the netball courts – it’s not an everyday event so the Year 7 and 8 students of St Peter’s College, Palmerston North, were in for a treat on Monday May 19.
The students initially met in the library to hear Wing Commander Tim Walshe talk about the air force. He told them about the various positions he has held during his career, and then he showed them a DVD of the different jobs that the air force does. Interestingly, 90 percent of the jobs within the air force do not involve flying planes!
Following a safety briefing, the students went outside to watch an RNZAF Iraquois helicopter land on the netball courts.
There was a great deal of wind, noise and plenty of excitement! The three RNZAF pilots who accompanied the helicopter were great ambassadors for the air force. The students were allowed, briefly, to sit inside the helicopter. All too soon, they had to watch it leave.
St Peter’s College would like to extend a huge thank you to Mr Walshe for organising the visit. All of the Year 7 and 8 classes are enjoying visits from members of our extended school community who work in the military. Thank you to all of these people, for broadening the life experiences of the young students.