Education is important. Completing high school is important. And yes, final exams are also important. But they are not MORE important than other things - like connection, resilience, hope, and wellbeing.

Nigel Howard is a Research associate at Flinders University, a former Secondary Principal, and currently studying for his PhD. As someone who sees the importance of education and knows the terrain of senior school/final exams both practically and academically, Nigel gives some terrific advice to parents and students currently facing the pressure of HSC exams.

Topics in this episode:

• Gap in school completion rates between city/country and high/low socioeconomic backgrounds
• Entry-level jobs and apprenticeships
• Why do kids stay at school? Why do others leave?
• The importance of listening to our children
• Specialised/alternative education
• Learning to pass exams vs learning how to apply knowledge
• National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)
• Neurodiversity
• Responsiveness of schools to struggling students 
• How important is the ATAR system? What does it mean for schools?
• Resilience and success
• Articles in The Conversation written by Nigel Howard -
  • Parents have just started their own school in Sydney – this is part of a long tradition in Australia
  • 20% of Australian students don't finish high school: non-mainstream schools have a lot to teach us about helping kids stay
  • School attendance rates are dropping. We need to ask students why
  • Are flexible learning options giving schools a convenient way out of taking responsibility for 'difficult' students?

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

• #875 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Ian Steel
• #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

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

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