#879 Why School Matters with Nigel Howard

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

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