Educational successes and failures, high school dropouts, the pressure of HSC exams, and finding your passion in life... these are BIG and pressing issues for our graduating kids! Learn how to have conversations with your children about educational outcomes and choices, and what being successful in school (and in life) looks like to them.

Today we're talking with Ian Steel, who despite being a high school dropout, has gone on to run a string of successful businesses, and is the founder of the South Australian charity Kickstart for Kids.

Topics in this episode:

• Why school can be so hard
• ADHD, dyslexia
• How the school experience differs for girls vs boys
• Research report:  Understanding the non-completion of apprentices (ncver.edu.au)
• The importance of education
• School, trade/apprenticeship, or paid employment?
• Kickstart for Kids - supporting at-risk children
• Breaking the cycle of unemployment and poverty
• Relationship between hunger and classroom behaviours
• Do exams matter?
• The teenage brain - a Happy Families article
• How to Help when School Sucks - a Happy Families article

Listen to more  from our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

• #876 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Cam Barber
• #877 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Susan Rogers
• #878 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Tom O’Brien
• #879 Why School Matters with Nigel Howard

Last day to register for the 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au