The six teenagers are relieved to be home with their families after they were almost caught up in the 17-hour siege that brought the city to a standstill. 

The students from the Milton-Ulladulla district were on a two-day St John the Evangelist High School excursion and had sent family members photos of themselves with the Sunrise television crew in Martin Place only 10 minutes before 17 people were taken hostage by a lone gunman in the nearby cafe.

Their concerned parents were unable to contact the students or teachers for up to half an hour, but were relieved to discover the group had left the area shortly before the CBD lockdown.

Joanne West-Field was beside herself with worry after hearing about the siege only minutes after receiving a photo from her daughter Bridget and her classmates.

“Having received a Snapchat at 9.38am of the girls outside Sunrise, when I heard of the siege shortly after my stomach sank,” Mrs West-Field said.

“I knew they were in the vicinity and I prayed they hadn’t had a chocolate urge.

“I tried texting, calling with no response and it wasn’t until I heard her voice there was some relief.”

Jeff Thoroughgood said he was pleased to learn the school group, including his daughter Paris, had left the area and were safe in Darling Harbour when the tragic events unfolded.

He said, with three people killed, including two hostages and the gunman at 2.15am on Tuesday, it was “distressing to think what could have happened”.

“We were obviously very relieved given the outcome of the siege and having now found out that just prior they were debating whether to go into the cafe but decided not to,” he said.

“It’s distressing when you think what nearly happened, but thanks to the teachers for looking after the kids and our thoughts go out to those who lost loved ones in the siege.”

Before heading back to their accommodation in Randwick, Paris told her parents it was “frightening” to know the siege was happening right alongside them.

The 30 year 9 and 10 students from across the Shoalhaven were on an end of year sightseeing and shopping tour in the CBD and visited venues including Martin Place, Madam Tussaud’s and Darling Harbour.

As part of the excursion the group watched Channel 7’s Sunrise program being filmed on Monday morning at the station’s studio in Martin Place.

They had their photos taken with the news crew and Cash Cow before walking past the popular chocolate cafe and heading to Darling Harbour.

St John’s principal Neil McCann said on Monday the group had decided to “take stock and reassess their plan” following the incident that brought Sydney to a standstill.

He said the decision was made for the school group to stay overnight in Sydney and return home to the Shoalhaven on Tuesday to avoid catching a train from Central Station.

The students arrived at Bomaderry train station at 2.15pm, where they were met by their parents and guardians.

Parents thanked the teachers for their tremendous efforts in bringing the students back to Nowra safely.

One parent, Nikki Wright, said she was obviously worried when she found out what had happened in Sydney.

“The school was so fantastic though, they contacted me and so did my daughter as soon as possible,” she said.

“We were constantly updated and the kids were taken right away from the area.

“I think she [her daughter] is in a bit of shock – it was scary.”

She said seeing her daughter come off the train was extremely relieving.

Mr McCann said everyone involved was lucky to have been out of the area.

“I think it will take time for the severity of the incident to hit home,” he said.

“They are most likely isolated from the news a little bit and may not realise how significant the situation was – at the moment all the students are doing very well.

“We always have counselling opportunities at the school which they will be reminded of.”

Mr McCann said the four teachers the students were with had made it their priority to make the students feel safe.

“Everyone is doing very well,” he said.

“I would say at this stage it would be the parents who are most distressed.

“The kids and teachers are fantastic. There is no stress from their part, except for the initial figuring out how to get home.

“The excursion was meant to be enjoyable.”

Mr McCann said the experience would not deter him from organising future excursions to Sydney.

“Everything was really well planned and the communications these days are great,” he said.

“There was no finding out about things hours later.

“I don’t envisage a backlash from this occurrence or any ongoing concerns.”