It was one of those unforgettable experiences - the visit of two Navy Sea Sprite helicopters.

We knew a Sea Sprite helicopter was going to dropping in, arranged by our Careers Advisor Kerry Weston, but we didn't know that two helicopters would be visiting, and we weren't prepared for the excitement that accompanied the visit.

Despite the Friday late start, a large number of students and staff gathered on the perimeter of the field, eagerly awaiting the helicopters. When we heard them approaching, and saw them appearing in the distance, there was a real sense of excitement in the crowd, which had grown in numbers with the addition of Fergusson Intermediate students, neighbours and passers-by, and even the father of one of the helicopter pilots.

As the helicopters circled overhead, loudly announcing their visit to the Upper Hutt community, and slowly descended to the ground, the phones and cameras were out in full force recording the spectacle. We watched in awe as the helicopters danced around the field, positioning themselves side by side before sinking gracefully to the ground.

We welcomed our visitors with a loud and proud haka from our combined kapa haka group and rugby players, and then we moved closer to admire the choppers, talk to the crew, climb onboard and take even more photos.

And then it was time for them to go and we all retreated back to the edges of the field, classes emptied and the neighbours returned as the noise of the rotors reverberated around the grounds. The helicopters gracefully lifted off, climbing and circling once more around Trentham before heading back to Wellington.

Everyone thought it was an awesome event, a great way to end the week, and certainly something to remember - the day the helicopters came to UHC.