Thousands of public school students from across the state got in early for ‘School Day’ as the Royal Easter Show began with a bang at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday.

One of Australia’s most endearing public displays and largest ticketed events in the world, ‘The Show’ is now in its 204th year.

And NSW public schools have been with it for a long part of that journey where dozens of schools from across the state get hands-on with agriculture, artisan foods and amusements.

There were plenty of highlights on day one, Armidale Secondary College initially taking out the Lightweight Section for School Steer. That was quickly overtaken when they claimed the Overall Champion School Steer.

“We beat every other school, and a number of private ones in there,” said Mark Fisher, Agriculture Teacher and Farm Manager at the school.

“We just ticked all the boxes, Lucas (the steer) really was the complete package.”

For Oak Flats High School, it was something of a comeback after claiming second in the Biggest Pumpkin category.

They had battled bin chickens eating their seeds in 2025, so the school and its five-acre farm were very happy with its girthy winter squash.

“This year we did plant the seedlings earlier,” Agriculture Teacher Kylie Stubbles said with a laugh.

“So, we actually did end up with a giant pumpkin.”

Scone High School, which has been attending since the 1980s, didn’t quite hit the podium on Thursday but continued to represent the Department with pride in numerous steer categories.

Eleven students came across for The Show, with veteran Show man and Scone High School teacher Justin Newling proud of their achievements.

And there’s much more to come across the next 11 days including:

• Narooma High School students “sleeping out” at The Show for the week, staying right next door to their steers, heifers and stud animals ahead of competition.
  

• More than 150 students from 14 schools operating the Rural Students Café, cooking and serving high tea and drinks to show-goers. Students are completing their Certificate II in Hospitality or Certificate II in Cookery, with the experience counting towards their work placement for these qualifications.

• Henry Lawson High School and Coomealla High School winning the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Youth Group’s All Roads to the Royal program four-day trip to The Show. More than 70 students and six teachers will relish the experience.

• Yanco High School – one of the Department’s longest standing Show exhibitors – parading its substantial cattle and chook contingent while judging in a range of competitions. Some 25 students will represent the school.
  

• Bilgola Plateau Public School entering the Scarecrow Competition for the third year in a row, this time with their pre-loved tennis ball-inspired creation, aptly known as ‘Spalding’.

NSW Premier Chris Minns made a visit to The Show to check out the DoE’s stand on the opening day with Department Secretary Murat Dizdar to do the same on Wednesday when he’ll also mingle with students and teachers from around the state.