From smoking ceremonies and storytelling to community walks and student artwork, NSW public school students are going “All In” for reconciliation as they mark National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.

At Ashmont Public School, on Wiradjuri country, students took centre stage at the Wagga Wagga National Sorry Day commemoration, where the school’s First Nations Dance Group, waganha biladha, performed a cleansing dance honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions.

Students also participated in a smoking ceremony, while Year 6 leaders, Arinda Weldon and Kaidence Elphick, shared a moving poem reflecting on the experiences of women and children from the Stolen Generations and the importance of acknowledging National Sorry Day.

Back at school, students and staff continued their learning through activities tied to this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In”.

Principal Jess Higginson said the week encouraged students to reflect on Australia’s shared history while strengthening respectful relationships and connections to culture and Country.

“Students and staff reflected on shared histories and respectful relationships by exploring First Nations stories, creating feet artwork for our windows, symbolising our shared responsibility for healing and moving forward together as a community and participating in a whole-school reflection yarn,” she said.

Students also took part in dinawan bob, a collaborative clean-up activity inspired by the emu, or dinawan, which encouraged students to care for their environment and demonstrate respect for Country.

“These experiences strengthen our ongoing commitment to unity, understanding and reconciliation,” Ms Higginson said.

National Sorry Day, held on 26 May, honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and culture under past government policies.

At Lavington East Public School, the colour purple shone brightly across the school as students and staff reflected on the meaning of National Sorry Day.

Inspired by the native hibiscus flower, a symbol of remembrance and healing, students and staff collaborated on an artwork featuring purple people, representing the shared journey towards reconciliation.

The school community also gathered for a special assembly before joining Aunty Carol to plant two native hibiscus plants as a lasting symbol of remembrance, healing and reconciliation.

Principal Nic Williams said the day was an important opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Australia’s history.

“As a school, we came together to acknowledge and reflect on the history and ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations,” Mrs Williams said.

At Cowra Public School, students and staff will continue those conversations through cultural learning experiences and the school’s annual whole-school Reconciliation Week Walk down Kendal Street.

Principal Jenny Lewis said students would take part in activities designed to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.

“Students and staff will acknowledge National Sorry Day with a minute’s silence, and classes will complete a range of learning activities to deepen students’ understanding of our nation’s history,” Ms Lewis said.

Across NSW, public schools are embracing National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week through truth-telling, cultural learning and community connection, helping students build understanding, empathy and respect while walking together towards reconciliation.