MORE than 650 staff and students from Campbell High were ''locked down'' in their classrooms for about 45 minutes while United States president Barack Obama visited the Canberra public school last November.
The student body continued normal lessons while F/A-18 Hornet fighters thundered overhead and rooftop snipers surveyed the grounds to protect the most powerful man in the world.
Mr Obama made the clandestine stopover, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard in tow, after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial earlier in the day.
Mr Obama spent about 20 minutes chatting with 18 Year 9 and 10 students, who were plucked from their classroom 10 minutes before his arrival, in the school's library.
The school visit was not part of the President's official itinerary and was sprung on the unwitting student body at the last minute.
The ACT Education Directorate confirmed 10 schools were identified as potential sites, and were later narrowed down to two.
The close proximity to the Australia War Memorial proved the decisive factor, with the security contingent merely crossing the road to lock down the school.
US Secret Service and AFP officers conducted sweeps of the grounds in the days leading up to the visit, while background checks were conducted on a number of people with their consent.
The Australian Federal Police declined to comment on all aspects of the visit, citing operational sensitivity.
But the Sunday Canberra Times understands armed personnel were stationed in school grounds during the stopover.
ACT Policing confirmed a number of officers were present and wearing their accoutrements, which include a firearm, baton and OC spray.
Students reported seeing gunmen positioned on rooftops in a sniping capacity and Canberrans were treated to the sounds of fighter jets conducting round-the-clock combat air patrols over the capital.
The security precautions have left a lasting impact on the capital, still visible today, with dozens of AFP security stickers dotted through the Parliamentary precinct.
The stickers, emblazoned with AFP insignia, were placed by sweeper teams securing the area prior to POTUS's arrival.
While the visit had nuisance value for Canberrans, the Sunday Canberra Times understands some students and staff members were upset by the surprise treatment.
But an Education Directorate spokesman said: ''Of course staff and students not directly involved in the visit were disappointed they did not meet the President however this was not possible.''
''The visit went very smoothly.
''Campbell High School staff and students were great hosts and representatives of Australian young people.''
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