The College welcomed Callum Simpson (Year 11) home from his Paralympics adventure today, Friday, 13 September, with a standing ovation at a special Secondary School assembly.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College Principal Michelle Carroll hosted a Q&A with Callum on stage, giving the students and staff an insight into the Paralympics experience, including the nerves of preparing for a finals race in the pool at the Games.
Callum won two gold medals in the men’s 100m freestyle S8 and the mixed 4 x 100m medley relay 34pts, and one silver medal in the mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
Callum thanked the College community for the support over the past few weeks. “It means a lot to me,” he said.
When Ms Carroll asked Callum to share a highlight from the Games, he said, “In my 100m finals race, when I touched the wall and saw my name first on the scoreboard, that will be something I will never forget.”
Ms Carroll told Callum the Flinders community had been cheering for him and celebrating his success.
“Callum is such a positive role model, and not just for those students who have lofty goals in sport,” Ms Carroll said.
“Callum shows all of our students the success you can achieve when you set your sights firmly on a goal, remain determined and work hard.
“He has overcome many obstacles and challenges to earn all the success and rewards that he is now enjoying. We are thrilled to see him return with two gold medals and one silver medal, and his dream come true!”
Callum is part of the College’s Flinders Elite Athlete Program (FEAP), which aims to mentor, inspire and support student athletes to make the most of their academic and sporting lives.
Callum's Journey to Paralympic Gold
Callum was diagnosed at birth with microdeletion syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that delays learning and causes physical impairments. At age two, to strengthen his body and boost his coordination and cognitive skills, his parents increased his swimming as therapy.
Callum swam in his first multiclass swim event at age eight and in Year 5, at his first National School Championships, Callum won two gold medals and three silver medals.
He has had his sights set on the Paralympics for many years, and has finally achieved his dream. His sights are now set on the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028!
Callum's coach is former Olympian swimmer, Chris Wright, who owns and operates the Flinders Aquatic Centre.
Chris competed for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games, the 2010 Delhi and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and four World Championships. In 2009 Chris broke the Australian record for the men's short course 200m Butterfly, which he still holds to this day.
Callum’s Mum, Rebecca Simpson, said, “Matthew Flinders Anglican College has been simply amazing and so influential in our lives.
“Callum has been at Flinders since Prep, and also went to the Flinders Early Learning Centre,” Rebecca said.
“So many teachers, friends, coaches and mentors have been incredible to Cal and we will be forever grateful. Cal is certainly a 'home grown' Flinders Paralympian and is lucky and proud to swim and have Flinders Phoenix coach Christopher Wright at the Flinders Aquatic Centre.”
Competing along with Callum in the pool in Paris was the Flinders alumnus, Katja Dedekind (Class of 2019). It was Katja’s third Paralympics. She still holds the World Record for her Women’s 50m freestyle, which she achieved at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.
Old Flinderians alumni Ally Clarke (Class of 2017) and Kristina Clonan (Class of 2016) also competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris; Ally in the kayak and Kristina on the cycling track.
