National Sorry Day may have had gloomy weather in Kempsey but there were still a few rays of sunshine.

The annual Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation Sorry Day Commemoration still went ahead, attended by local public school students and staff.

Students aged 3-5 from Dalaigur Pre-School did the Welcome to Country in Dunghutti before two Uncles from the Kinchela Boys Home spoke.

“My name is Number 31...” one of them began before explaining how the boys were treated as nothing but numbers in that place.

With children aged from preschool to Year 12 listening, speakers were mindful of their audience without ever deviating from the truth – that they were stolen from their families because they were Aboriginal, they were treated badly and they did nothing to deserve it.

Descendants also spoke of the intergenerational impact it has had.

The Sorry Day Commemoration is a yearly event in the Macleay, which has a large Aboriginal population and a painful history with children’s homes.

Schools and other organisations laid wreaths before the Dalaigur preschoolers performed three songs in Dunghutti; Baby Shark, Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes and We are Australian.

Kempsey East Public School Principal Katie Smith attended with her student leaders, who she said were very quiet and thoughtful afterwards.

“I hope it was healing for some of the Elders,” she said.

“When the preschoolers were singing in Language, I heard one saying ‘They are our future, they are our future’ – and they really are.”

At Manning Gardens Public School in Taree, red, black and yellow saw strong representation its Sorry Day event.

Sixty-two per cent of students at the school identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and Elders, families, staff and student were Welcomed to Birpai Country in Gathang language.

The Manning Gardens’ dance group then performed several traditional dances, accompanied by the Student Didgeridoo Group.

Deputy Principal Tracey Rutten said the school was excited to introduce this in 2026.

“We want our students to feel proud of their identity, feel proud of who they are and feel proud of where they’re coming from,” the proud Palawa woman said.

“On Sorry Day, it’s important to acknowledge the impacts of the past and our Elders, to acknowledge our history respectfully; but also recognise the strength, the resilience and the culture of all Aboriginal people and their communities and the land we stand on.”

The assembly also included the unveiling of a dedicated Sorry Day artwork on canvas featuring a native hibiscus, painted by two Aboriginal staff members which the school intends to use as the basis for a feature mural, followed by open classrooms and morning tea.

At Rathmines Public School on Awabakal land, there was no better day than Sorry Day where students, staff and community members braved wet conditions for a reconciliation walk that culminated in a smoking ceremony and assembly overlooking Lake Macquarie.

Relieving assistant principal Rebecca Verschoor said 300 students, 30 parents and 10 community members attended the event, including local Aboriginal elders.

“We organised the walk to show that as a school and a community we are all in this together and to symbolise the importance of us all walking together and working together to move forward with reconciliation,” Ms Verschoor said.

“The atmosphere was incredible, the weather really challenged us and our students and community showed huge resilience walking in the rain.

“The moment where we all walked in rain and all that could be heard was our students playing clapsticks, birds chirping and the wind blowing was magical.”

Ms Verschoor said the students sang Beds Are Burning and From Little Things Big Things Grow and joined workshops with elders and staff.

“We believe it is important to start these discussions from an early age as students are the future of reconciliation - the earlier we start them on their journey the better,” she said.

“We also believe that children are open and engaged when we educate them in a child appropriate way and that these are important conversations to be having.”

Aboriginal education is part of daily life at Dubbo West Public Preschool, so Sorry Day easily slots into the curriculum.

Students have their regular Wiradjuri lesson, and then the pre-schoolers took part in the whole school activities, Preschool to Year 6.

“The feedback from our community is so positive, particularly our grandparents of our little preschoolers, they really value that their grandchildren are taught to speak language because that wasn’t an opportunity that was offered to them,” principal Jodie Hall said.

Bourke High School students attended a National Sorry Day event to reflect, remember and honour Stolen Generations survivors and their families.

Students had the opportunity to hear from respected Elder Aunty Sylvia Campbell and listen to personal stories from Aunty Sylvia’s family as a way to deepen their understanding of the history and meaning behind National Sorry Day.

They then took part in a range of hands-on cultural and creative activities, including candle and bead making, to round off a morning of reflection and remembrance.

At Edgeworth Public School, Aunty Maree Simon-Ahoy and Aunty Lacey Simon shared at an assembly their experience of being removed from their parents in the early 1970s.

“Sorry Day is a very sad and emotional time for our family,” Aunty Lacey said.

She was taken when she was four years old and placed in an institution with an older brother. They were not returned for at least a year.

“I remember another two sisters coming for visits with their foster parents, we would watch out the window and think ‘Why are our sisters living with other people?’

“The other siblings remember everything – I listen to their stories and it breaks my heart.

“I still see the pain and suffering our family and siblings went through.”

Combined with their six siblings they have about 80 grandchildren between them, including 12 currently at the school.

Principal Alex Montgomery said it was a privilege to hear the sisters’ moving stories.

“This is a time for us to reflect on an important part of Australia’s history and remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families, communities and culture many years ago,” Ms Montgomery told students.

“We are all very grateful for your [Aunty Lacey and Maree's] courage, wisdom and willingness to help us learn and grow in understanding.

“Sorry Day reminds us of the importance of kindness, respect and understanding.

“As a school community we can help create a place where everyone feels safe, included and valued. Today, let us continue to learn from the past and work together towards a future based on respect, empathy and reconciliation.

The school’s preschoolers and students will compete in a series of activities including creating art through the remainder of Reconciliation Week.

The preschoolers had their weekly Aboriginal lesson on Tuesday

In addition, 17 of the school’s student leaders and Junior AECG members will join the Lake Macquarie City Council Reconciliation Walk at Warners Bay on May 27.

All NSW public schools are encouraged to work closely with their local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups (AECGs), to listen and develop strong connections, as does the NSW Department of Education at a state level with the NSW AECG.