Plymouth College's Olympians have come back to school to a hero's welcome. Ruta Meilutyte, Tom Daley, Jade Howard and Jamila Lunkuse received a standing ovation from fellow pupils at the start of term assembly, as well as being the focus of the Headmaster's address to the whole school. The four Olympians returned to find the school front doors painted gold to honour Ruta's inspirational win and congratulations banners, including one made by pupils in Art Club, hanging around the school site.
The celebrations for the Olympians culminate this evening in a city-wide civic parade involving all Plymouth athletes who competed in the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The open-topped bus tour will start at Plymouth College, waved off by pupils, staff, friends and family, before finishing in the city centre in front of an anticipated crowd of thousands.
"London 2012 was always going to be incredibly special for Plymouth College with four pupils competing", said Plymouth College Headmaster, Dr Simon Wormleighton. "The result is probably the greatest and proudest moment in the school's history; one Olympic Champion, one bronze medallist and two very commendable personal bests. As many have said, if Plymouth College was a country, we would have finished 49th in the medals table, ahead of 155 other nations!
"Representing four different nations, Ruta, Tom, Jade and Jamila truly reflect the increasingly international character of Plymouth College. They have brought glory to their own countries as well as to Plymouth and the school. They are an inspiration to a generation of young people around the world and have demonstrated that with hard work and commitment dreams can be achieved.
"I cannot emphasise enough the tremendous links we have with Plymouth Leander and Plymouth Diving. It is the strength of these partnerships and the outstanding level of teamwork and shared ambition which they generate that enable and facilitate the kind of remarkable success we are celebrating today."
Once the celebrations are over the four athletes are looking forward to getting back to normal, even though 'normal' means a tough schedule of training, school work and competition.
"Since winning the gold medal life has been a bit crazy", said Ruta Meilutyte. "I still can't quite believe I'm an Olympic Champion! "Everyone has been so supportive and I've had the most amazing messages from people all over the world.
"But it's good to get back into my routine at school and in the pool. It is the same as it was before the Olympics - I still have to be at training by 5.30 a.m., go to lessons, do more training after school and then get my homework done just like everyone else. It definitely helps me keep my feet on the ground!
"I want to do my best whether it's in the pool or in the classroom and I'm always looking ahead to the next goal. To do that I have to focus, knuckle down and work as hard as I possibly can in all areas of my life."
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