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?



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

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

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.
<ul></ul>
Topics in this episode:
<ul>
<li>Gap in school completion rates between city/country and high/low socioeconomic backgrounds</li>
<li>Entry-level jobs and apprenticeships</li>
<li>Why do kids stay at school? Why do others leave?</li>
<li>The importance of listening to our children</li>
<li>Specialised/alternative education</li>
<li>Learning to pass exams vs learning how to apply knowledge</li>
<li><a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release">National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)</a></li>
<li>Neurodiversity</li>
<li>Responsiveness of schools to struggling students </li>
<li>How important is the ATAR system? What does it mean for schools?</li>
<li>Resilience and success</li>
<li>Articles in The Conversation written by Nigel Howard -
<ul>
<li><a href="https://theconversation.com/parents-have-just-started-their-own-school-in-sydney-this-is-part-of-a-long-tradition-in-australia-208656">Parents have just started their own school in Sydney – this is part of a long tradition in Australia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://theconversation.com/20-of-australian-students-dont-finish-high-school-non-mainstream-schools-have-a-lot-to-teach-us-about-helping-kids-stay-207021">20% of Australian students don't finish high school: non-mainstream schools have a lot to teach us about helping kids stay</a></li>
<li><a href="https://theconversation.com/school-attendance-rates-are-dropping-we-need-to-ask-students-why-200537">School attendance rates are dropping. We need to ask students why</a></li>
<li><a href="https://theconversation.com/are-flexible-learning-options-giving-schools-a-convenient-way-out-of-taking-responsibility-for-difficult-students-125876">Are flexible learning options giving schools a convenient way out of taking responsibility for 'difficult' students?</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
 
Find us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families</a>
Email us your questions and comments at <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

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