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The Things That Matter Most
- Narrated by: Jo Van Es
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
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The Things That Matter Most
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Publisher's Summary
The staff of St Margaret's Primary School are hanging by a thread. There's serious litigation pending, the school is due for registration and a powerful parent named Janet Bellevue has a lot to say about everything. As teachers they're trying to remain professional, as people they're fast unraveling. There's Tyson: first year out of Uni and nervous as hell, Derek the Assistant Principal who's dropped the ball on administration, Bev from the office who's confronting a serious diagnosis and Sally-Ann who's desperate for a child of her own.
Thank goodness for kids like Lionel Merrick. Lionel is the student who steals your heart and makes the whole teaching gig worthwhile: he's cheerful, likeable and helpful—and devoted to his little sister Lacey. But Lionel has a secret of his own. As his future slides from vulnerable to dangerous, will someone from St Margaret's realise before it's too late?
As secrets threaten to be exposed and working demands increase, each staff member begins to lose sight of the things that matter most. A moving and compelling novel about teachers and their students by the acclaimed author of the bestselling books Teacher and Dear Parents.
What listeners say about The Things That Matter Most
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deb
- 05-03-2024
Wonderful but sad story
It's authenticity, such an accurate snapshot of some of the things our teachers are facing in these troubling times. So sad...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-06-2024
Gut wrenching and real
As a teacher, I almost couldn’t listen to the story at first. As it went on though, I saw in the characters teachers that I knew. I saw me.
The narration is wonderful. The story is quite simple at its core, but the twists and turns and laughs and heart ache make it a book to embrace. It’s a book teachers and non-teachers alike need to read, although I suspect that some readers might not accept that the trials and emotions in the book are very closely aligned to real experiences teachers face. It’s real all right. A wonderful book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-08-2024
Make it into a movie
Needs to be made into a movie so all the Janet’s out there can hopefully have a bit more empathy for all the hurdles teachers face trying to provide the best learning experience for their children
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Possum40
- 19-02-2024
a powerful story
you will laugh, cry and gasp in this book. I can't recommend it enough. A solid 5 star read for me. The story is both confrontating and comforting as we follow some of the staff of St Margaret's in a country town where there is a mix of rich and poorer, where they mingle together at the local Catholic school. it's a story of community, of injustice, of tragedy, of needing one another, and of wonderful teachers who care. loved it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lauren Li
- 26-03-2024
Brilliant book with all of the feels
Easy to read, great characters and a strong story that leaves more questions than answers, but in the best way possible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-09-2023
Thank you for another realistic view into our world of teaching, community and life. So sad but realistic.
Thank you for another realistic view into our world of teaching, community and life. So sad but true.
I look forward to your next book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sooky
- 08-01-2024
Teachersand Police
This is a dramatised version of the world of a classroom teacher in today's Australian society. Real! Powerful! Excellent!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-10-2023
Beautifully painful, perspective taking novel
This was a beautifully painful read that placed the reader in different perspectives quite naturally.
It took some time but once I was deeply engaged in the narrative, I could not stop until the text was finished! (And am left hoping for more from Gabbie Stroud)
I recommend for anyone who enjoyed ‘Teacher’ or any modern Australian small town novels.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Trudy
- 21-12-2023
Magnificent Read
I was captivated from start to end. "The things that matter most’ offers a poignant exploration of the challenges teachers face, delving into the complexities of their professional and personal lives. The author skillfully navigates the intricate landscape of education, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of a teacher's role. A must-read for anyone seeking a profound glimpse into the often overlooked intricacies of teaching.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 13-04-2024
The story is powerful!
This book was beautifully written and depicts the current challenges in education and into days society . LOVED!
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