Starting Secondary School

Free online workshops for parents and Year 6 students

Starting secondary school is an important step for children with disability and their families. With some preparation and planning ahead, you can help your child feel confident, supported and ready for a positive start to Year 7.

ACD is excited to offer free online workshops for families as well as a complimentary workshop for students. The student workshop is being delivered by Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS).

You can attend the family workshop only or attend the family workshop and register your Year 6 child for the student workshop. Please note: a parent or carer must attend the family workshop for their child to participate in the student workshop.

Starting Secondary School: A workshop for families 

This workshop will help you feel informed and prepared for the transition journey ahead.

Learn practical strategies to support a successful start to secondary school, understand what changes to expect, and discuss ways to build strong partnerships with your child’s new school.

It’s a two-hour online workshop led by facilitators who are parents of children with disability.

You’ll learn about:

• Transition process from primary to secondary school
• Preparing your child for the changes ahead
• Supporting wellbeing and confidence
• Building positive communication with the new school.

What other families have said 

Families who attended other school workshops said they were easy to follow, relatable, and delivered in a friendly way.

• “The presenters were great and made everything feel relatable and easy to follow.”
• “Very informative, with lots of helpful links and resources I can revisit later.”
• “Clear, easy-to-understand information with great examples.”

Complimentary workshop for your child who is starting secondary school 

This 90-minute online workshop provides a welcoming and inclusive space for students with disability to build confidence, learn practical skills and connect with other young people who are also preparing for Year 7.

Students will:  

• Meet other students with disability who are preparing for secondary school
• Talk about what to expect when starting Year 7
• Practice ways to ask for help and speak up about what they need
• Create a personalised checklist to help them feel organised, prepared and confident.

Led by young people with lived experience, this workshop encourages students to develop self-advocacy skills, make meaningful connections and feel more confident about the transition ahead.

Developed by YDAS in partnership with ACD, parents are welcome to attend alongside your child.

More information and registration