About First Day

We acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners of lands across Australia, their Elders, Ancestors, cultures and heritage, and recognise the continuing sovereignties of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations.

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which the ACTF is based and pay our respect to their Elders past and present.

We are honoured to have the opportunity to learn from the oldest cultural storytellers in the world and seek to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners to share their rich culture and perspectives with children in Australia and around the world via stories on screen.

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Teachers and students, learn all about the First Day television series in this section. Read more.

In her second year at Hillview High, Hannah’s run for Class Captain exposes an underlying level of transphobia among her classmates. She starts a group for LGBTQIA+ students but risks alienating her closest friend in the process.

First Day Series 2 is a four-part half-hour children’s television series about Hannah Bradford, a transgender girl in her second year of high school.

In Series 1, Hannah was outed as being transgender. The support of her friends gave her the strength to return to school, find her voice, and stand up to those bullying her. Series 2 explores what life is like for Hannah as an out trans girl.

The complete series – including the clips referred to in this resource – is available to download from the ACTF Shop. All episodes are rated PG by the commissioning broadcaster, the ABC.

Episode 1

It’s a new year at Hillview High. Feeling good about the fresh start, Hannah runs for Class Captain but in doing so discovers some of her classmates still see her as the ‘trans kid’.

Episode 2

Hannah is the only one not invited to Jazzie’s party. When it becomes apparent her friends don’t understand her feelings about being left out, Hannah decides to start a Pride Group at Hillview High.

Episode 3

Olivia tries to make amends with Hannah over an incident at Jazzie’s party, but Hannah finds it difficult to forgive her friend. Hillview Pride starts to attract members and Billy shows renewed interest in Hannah.

Episode 4

Hannah takes to the stage at assembly to try and convince the student body to support a change to the Hillview High uniform policy. Hannah, Olivia and Nat are reunited, and Hannah decides to go to the Junior School Dance.

Acknowledgements

Written and Directed by Julie Kalceff

Produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Butler

Co-produced by Julie Kalceff

Executive Producer Libbie Doherty

Starring Evie Macdonald as Hannah

An Epic Films Production in association with KOJO Studios. Production Funding from Screen Australia. Financed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation. Development and Production Support from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Developed with the Assistance of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.