Is the system really for everyone?
From School classrooms to work shops they all have the same social dynamic. Is leaving school early really as bad as people say it is? Should we be frowning upon leaving early or supporting the decision they deem best for themselves. What if they don’t want to repeat or don’t do well in a classroom setting. Is forcing someone to stay in high school worth the time for the teachers and other students learning. These two Mark Thomas and Brodie Thomas found it was in fact the right move to leave school and head for the work force early.
Mark’s Story
Mark Thomas left high school at 17, year 11 which in Australia is the equivalent of year 12 in New Zealand. Mark was told that he wouldn’t pass the year and would have to re take year 11, while his friends moved up and would be graduating Mark would only be going into year 12. With this information he decided to leave and continue his studies at a TAFE pre apprenticeship course before going into mechanics. After that he did an apprenticeship in Sydney and has been in the trade ever since. His parents were supportive in the decision to let Mark leave school to go do something he enjoyed. Mark didn’t enjoy the academic side of school, sports and social activities he enjoyed more. Studying wasn’t too enjoyable either and Mark preferred to be working on a car. The reason his parents were supportive was because they had noticed if he was working on his car he would be out in garage for hours where as he was asked to study they would see him every 15 minutes trying to find excuses. With the TAFE course Mark took he would put in the hours needed to pass so he could get an apprenticeship. Mark has enjoyed the career path he has dived deep into the world of cars and mechanics.
“I believe I made the right decision for me, and was glad my parents supported me.”
Mark made this clear during the interview that he was grateful that his parents did support him and his ventures in life. Mark would do it over if he had the chance. Even though he was sad to leave his friends behind and didn’t know what the future held for them.
Brodie’s Story
Brodie Thomas who left school at 15 found the same challenges he had to face, although bright and could achieve high when he wanted to the classroom was not for him either. Brodie did not like the restraints of school and having to sit in the classroom. He preferred being on the sports field or in work shop classes and even cooking classes. The more hands on the classes the more interesting Brodie found them. He had always talked about going into a trade mainly building or mechanics. During the national lockdown and having zoom classes Brodie realised that school wasn’t for him and that he wanted to leave. After multiple discussions with his dean, school advisor and his parents they decided to back this decision. Once being signed out of school Brodie was more inclined to go to his new course and was starting to enjoy classes again. He also liked his tutors and class mates, it was no longer 9am till 3pm like high school but instead took more of a polytechnic approach to teaching.
“I prefer this way of learning, it feels less like a chore.”
Since leaving high school Brodie has been more inclined to go to study and go to classes and not having home work was a big helping factor. Since then Brodie has moved on to full time work with a cleaning company. Although it is different work he wants to go into building when he is a little bit older. Brodie believes that he made the right choice and put together all the building blocks he needed to leave school to study elsewhere, build a career and continue his life to the fullest.
Both Mark and Brodie have had similar stories in leaving school early to move on to something they would enjoy more. As well as many other students in New Zealand. The government decided to launch fees free for your first year of study for tertiary. This including pre trade courses helping those who leave high school early to give them more of a chance to get into the work forces. The government also has other funding in place for free trades training and apprenticeships to help the industry growth, this is because they need more tradies within the work forces. Leaving school early does not change the value of a person or the skill set they have. The classroom is just not made for everyone. Some people bloom more outside of the classroom, some more in the work force doing something that they love and care about, rather than something they feel forced to learn about to collect credits and pass papers that do not always transfer across to real life.
