Vulnerable students' desperate plea for better school support

University Student Briana Mitchell claims that our government and teachers need to “learn how to help neurodiverse students thrive academically.”

Diagnosed with multiple learning disabilities at 15 years old, university student Briana Mitchell says that her time at school really affected her overall confidence.

“In year six, it was recommended by my teacher that I leave school and go to a different school because I was struggling and failing all my classes.

“I wish that instead of just saying I should leave, they asked if they could help in any way or if there were any changes they could make,” says Mitchell.

Francis Joung, principal of private school Harbour College, says, “without sounding terribly cheesy, it sort of felt like a calling.”

Harbour College is a school that thrives on providing “high-quality connections” to students who struggle in mainstream schools.

“I think that mainstream schools do a good job for a majority of students, but some people aren’t suited to a system that prioritises academic excellence,” says Joung.

He states that it is important that schools place more emphasis on developing connections with their students.

“If a society cares for the children who are struggling, they will become more contributing members of society when they grow up because we actually catered to their needs,” says Joung.

When asked if he feels that the government can do more to support vulnerable students, Joung says that they “could do more, but it’s not necessarily their fault.”

“I think the government do a lot, but naturally, when all the resources they offer get filtered down to the actual schools, a lot of their efforts become diluted,” says Joung.

Briana Mitchell says that the government could offer more resources that caters to learning styles that are different from neurotypical ones.

Mitchell also stresses that the government should provide more funding for the diagnosis of learning disabilities.

“It’s so extremely unattainable to people that don’t have the funds to see an educational psychologist.

“Getting a diagnosis of a learning disability is essential for young learners that are struggling so that they can actually access the slim resources made available,” says Mitchell.

Although both Joung and Mitchell believe that the government is trying to support neurodiverse students they both agree there is much more that needs to be done.

Listen HERE for more from Francis Joung on how schools are experienced by students.