Secondary school often requires a higher level of organisation skills in students. This can be challenging for students who may find tasks involving executive functioning (planning, organisation and problem-solving) difficult, such as students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism or intellectual disability. 

Breaking down how to plan and organise some of the day-to-day tasks may be helpful for these students, and may also alleviate anxiety for students transitioning to secondary school. 

How to use this story

As a teacher, School Learning Support Officer (SLSO), Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) or Aboriginal SLSO (ASLSO) you can help students by reading through this ‘choose your own adventure’ story or providing the story to them (including to year 6 students in the lead up to transition). You could point out how the students’ school experience is different and similar to that in the story and come up with other positive ways to respond. 

For example, you could talk about other ways they could make their timetable accessible, such as keeping a copy on their fridge, or adding it to the calendar on their device.