Endeavour Sports High School student Jake Boyle has ambitions of being an Olympic swimmer one day, so the opportunity to meet some of the stars of the Paris Games was one he jumped at.

“Seeing the Olympians here with their medals and hearing their stories is really inspiring," he said, noting he'd been motivated by Olympians for as long as he could remember.

“I look up to Kyle Chalmers, and when he won his (first gold) medal (back in 2016), that really got me into swimming.”

Many of the stars of the Olympics and Paralympics returned for an open day at Darling Harbour last Friday, with students from Endeavour Sports High School, Hills Sports High School, Eagle Vale Sports High School, Westfields Sports High School, Hunter Sports High School, Blaxland High School and Stanmore Public School welcoming them back.

Skateboarder Ruby Trew is one Olympian who makes the Olympian dream seem that much more attainable, given she is still in Year 10 at Narrabeen Sports High School.

Before delighting her fellow public school students with selfies and autographs, Ruby said she found being in Paris for the Olympics an amazing experience, including the friendships she made with the other skateboarders.

“All the skater girls love hanging out and we all became good friends as we’ve been through the same process last year to get to Paris,” she said.

Ruby had already received a heroes’ welcome when she returned to Narrabeen Sports High School, welcoming the support during the Games.

“Having all my school supporting me and to have them behind me was pretty cool,” she said.

Paralympians were also at the event, ready to inspire and encourage students who participate in multiclass events to aim even higher.

Taking the stage was boccia champion and former Dunedoo Central School student Jamieson Leeson who had been out supporting students at the State Boccia Championships in August, just before heading to Paris where she claimed silver.

From the Tumbalong Park stage, Jamieson urged students to try boccia, declaring it the most successful sport for those with a disability.

“If you don't think there's a sport available, try boccia because it's the best sport out there. I didn't know it was going to be for me until I gave it a crack," she said.

“So give it a go and don't forget to have fun with whatever you're doing, because I had great fun at the Olympic Games."

Ruby has similar advice for her fellow students:

“If you love something, chase after it and don't let anything stop you doing what you love," she said.