Empowering Year 6 Students for High School
Transitioning to high school is exciting — and it’s a big shift. New teachers, new routines, new expectations, and a whole new environment to navigate.
Jaye and Katrina created the High School Readiness Program to give Year 6 students the tools, confidence, and strategies they need to step into Year 7 with increased confidence and a stronger sense of readiness.
Hands-on & Inquiry driven
Students explore, experiment, create, and problem solve. Instead of being told what high school will be like, they investigate it for themselves — asking questions, testing ideas, and discovering what works best for them.
Inclusive & Welcoming
Small groups ensure every learner feels known and understood. The program supports diverse learning profiles and encourages students to recognise their strengths, needs, and talents.
Coaching informed
Students learn how to reflect, advocate for themselves, and build self-efficacy — skills that matter long after the first week of Year 7.
Literacy rich
Learners practise interpreting digital instructions, responding to prompts, communicating clearly, and understanding what teachers are really asking for — essential skills for navigating high school successfully.
What Learners Take Home
By the end of the 8-week program, each student will have:
- a portfolio of their creations, plans, and reflections
- a personalised High School Readiness Plan tailored to their strengths, goals, and learning needs
Families can also choose to purchase an individualised Learner Profile, offering deeper insight into how their child learns best — a powerful tool for starting high school on the right foot.
A Message for Year 6 Students:
If you’re heading to high school soon, this program is for you. You won’t just sit and listen — you’ll be guided to explore, experiment, create, and figure things out in your own way. You’ll take on high school style challenges, connect with other learners, and develop strategies that support a smoother transition into Year 7. We're excited to meet you!
High School Readiness Program Pricing
- $700 for 8-week High School Readiness Program
- $600 if child has done Taster Workshop
- $150 for Learner Profile (optional add-on)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the High School Readiness Program?
Our High School Readiness Program is an 8-week, small-group learning experience designed to support upper primary students as they transition into Year 7 with greater confidence, clarity, and readiness. Through hands-on inquiry, coaching-informed reflection, and literacy-rich activities, students gain a real understanding of high school and develop strategies that work for them.
Why did you create this program?
As experienced secondary teachers — with lived experience of parenting teens — we’ve seen first-hand how complex the transition to high school can be. New routines, new expectations, new environments, and new social dynamics all arrive at once. Starting high school can feel exciting, but for many students, it can feel daunting.
We created this program to bridge that gap. Instead of telling students what high school will be like, we guide them to explore, experiment, and build a ‘backpack of tools’ they can carry into Year 7.
Who runs the program? What are their qualifications?
The program is designed and facilitated by Jaye Christie and Katrina Bell — fully qualified and registered Secondary School Teachers with more than 40 years of combined classroom experience. They hold full TRBWA registration and a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). They are also trained Coach Practitioners and parents of teens, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience to their work with young people.
What makes this program different from school-run transition or orientation programs?
High schools do a great job of introducing students to their new environment — showing them the campus, meeting staff, and learning routines. These orientation days are important, but they’re also brief, fast‑paced, and designed for large groups.
The JK Co Lab approach offers something different:
- Small groups — Every learner feels known, understood, and supported.
- Inquiry‑based sessions — Learners investigate, problem‑solve, and make connections, rather than memorising information.
- Coaching‑informed learning — Through metacognitive processes, students build self‑awareness, self‑advocacy, and self‑efficacy.
- Inclusive practice — The program honours diverse learning profiles and celebrates each student’s strengths, with a strong emphasis on developing executive functioning skills.
- Literacy‑rich tasks — Students practise interpreting instructions, responding to prompts, and communicating clearly — all essential for navigating high school successfully.
- Fun and engaging - While grounded in evidence-based practice, the program is also creative, hands on, and energising.
Who is the program for?
The program is designed for Year 6 students in Perth who are preparing for the move to high school. It’s ideal for learners who:
- are excited, but a little unsure of what’s ahead
- are curious about what high school will be like
- are seeking practical tools and strategies to feel prepared for the transition
- want support with organisation, study skills, or self‑advocacy
- thrive in small groups, or value a personalised approach to learning
How does this program support diverse learners?
The program is intentionally designed to be inclusive and supportive of a wide range of learning styles.
We use approaches that are considered best practices for all learners —such as predictable routines, hands-on activities, small groups, and strengths‑based coaching. These strategies help every learner feel comfortable, confident, and ready to engage.
Throughout the program, learners are encouraged to recognise what supports them, what challenges them, and how to advocate for their needs in a new environment. This empowers every child to build self‑awareness and independence in a setting that values their individuality.
Where is the program held?
Sessions take place at Studio64, in the heart of South Perth - a bright and welcoming learning space designed for small‑group work.
How many students are in each group?
The program has been designed to be safe, supportive and collaborative, with low student-teacher ratios.
What happens in a typical session?
Each workshop blends practical skill‑building with creative inquiry. A session may include:
- a short tutorial on navigating high school platform (e.g. breaking down an assignment, or managing workload)
- an individual investigation or collaborative challenge
- experimenting with organisational tools and routines
- co‑designing a personalised ‘First Week of High School Game Plan’
What will my child take home at the end of the workshop?
By the end of the 8-week program, each student will have:
- a portfolio of their creations, plans, and reflections
- a personalised High School Readiness Plan tailored to their strengths, goals, and learning needs
Families can also choose to purchase an individualised Learner Profile, offering deeper insight into how their child learns best — a powerful tool for starting high school on the right foot.
What happens after the program?
The High School Readiness Program is just the beginning. As part of the broader Joy Lab Learning ecosystem, the JK Co Lab will continue to grow — with upcoming workshops, small group programs, and personalised learning experiences designed to meet the evolving needs of adolescents. Families who join us now will be the first to hear about new opportunities as they launch.
How do I register?
You can register your interest through the JK Co Lab homepage. Once you submit your details, you’ll receive information about upcoming program dates, locations, and next steps.