AS I WALKED through the school gate, its posts stencilled with turtles and goannas, towards the classroom where I take Drama Group, I heard someone call out, ‘Hey, Hairy Hayley!’

I turned in the direction of the voice. Katia, a Year 6 Aboriginal girl with fair hair and watery blue eyes, stood beside a wooden lunch table under the wispy silky oak trees, hands on her hips, chin tilted up. She was staring at me, as were nine other Aboriginal kids, all different ages, boys and girls.