In its first year of participating in Wakakirri - Australia's largest performing arts event for schools - Coniston Public has taken out a national award.
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And, fittingly for the culturally diverse primary school, the troupe of around 50 students took home the Reconciliation Story Award for its performance.
Teachers Alicia Wira and Kelly Judd said they were proud of the commitment, and empathy, shown by students throughout the process.
"At Coniston Public School we have quite a diverse range of students including refugees, those with EALD (English as an additional language or dialect) backgrounds as well as indigenous students," Ms Wira said.
"So this was a great way to celebrate and showcase who we are as a school, and really integrate with our curriculum."
Ms Wira said the performance, entitled My Story Through Our Eyes, also linked in with the school's literacy unit.
"It was based on a novel about the Stolen Generation," she said.
"Students were able to dramatise and create a performance which represented the themes of staying strong and breaking free - like a butterfly."
Each year hundreds of schools across Australia create Story-Dances for Wakakirri that reflect student's thoughts, ideas and aspirations.
The three to seven minute performances must tell a story using a combination of dancing, creative movement and acting to pre-recorded music.
Coniston's award-winning performance was praised by the judges who called it a "strong, relevant, poignant performance" with the students taking on the challenge "with great commitment".
Principal Karen Brown said she was "enormously proud" of the recognition that the national award represented for the school.
"It is symbolic of our commitment to Aboriginal education and the promotion of equity for our diverse school community," she said.
"The deep learning that occurred through the Wakakirri experience was exceptional for all of our Stage 3 students.
"Kelly Judd and Alicia Wira's commitment and leadership has been outstanding."
Mrs Judd said students had worked hard for three terms on the performance, even using their creative skills to build props and the backdrop for the show.
She said the experience had had a flow-on effect in classrooms, and the playground.
"Students from all different backgrounds worked together on this," she said.
"It was really empowering to see those kids help each other, and be respectful of each, throughout the process.
"Getting the reconciliation award was just the icing on the cake."
