The Things That Matter Most is the first adult novel by former teacher and Australian author, Gabbie Stroud. As the students, teachers and admin staff arrive at St Margaret’s Catholic Primary School for the start of another year, most have only the vaguest idea of the challenges they will face.

Young Tyson Cole, fresh from Uni, is filled with enthusiasm and ideas for his kindergarten class. Boltford in central NSW is a long way from the break-up with his boyfriend, but he’ll soon be too busy to think about it.

After eight years at St Margaret’s, Sally-Ann Lin still loves teaching, but would welcome a break in the form of a baby, if only a pregnancy would stick.

Assistant Principal Derek Benson loves teaching, loves seeing his students absorb knowledge, but he hates the paperwork, the admin. In fact, his neglect of that dreaded task may well come back to bite him.

Nova Castell is back as Principal for the new year, but still grieving the loss of her husband to cancer. But she and Derek have plenty to keep them occupied over the next few months: not only is the school due for registration, meaning an intensive external audit of the last four years, but the parents of a former student are suing the school for breach of contract. “Educational outcomes had not been met.”

On that first day, they are unaware that a tabloid journalist (the demanding, needy, micro-managing mother of one of their students) will be invading their classrooms to observe the teachers in action for an article she plans to write.

School receptionist, Bev Donald’s cranky manner belies the love she has for this place that her pragmatism, productivity and proficiency have kept efficiently running for forty years. But an adverse diagnosis has her wondering for how much longer…

And Lionel Merrick, about to start Year Six, is excited to bring his cherished little sister, Lacey for her first day at the school he loves. With dad away driving trucks, and mum working two jobs to make ends meet, he has to shoulder quite a bit at home, but he’d never complain.

The tragedy that gradually unfolds over the next few months is the product of many unfortunate sets of circumstances: a small country town in denial about their social divide; a desperate young mother in whom fear, shame and pride lead to poor choices; and the personal problems on top of an unreasonable workload that distract devoted teachers from their usual vigilance and care.

Stroud gives the reader characters with depth and appeal, and a wholly credible plot that clearly demonstrates the challenges faced by these dedicated men and women who are charged with teaching our children: their enormous workload; the lack of support they receive from the bureaucracy; the complaint and criticism they face from students, parents and the general public; and all for a meagre wage.

Stroud’s own background puts the stamp of authenticity onto every aspect of this story., and the frustration born of the frequently onerous requirement to document actions, often at the expense of actually doing them well, will resonate with those in many professions. As Nova Castell says: “‘Our professional responsibility to these vulnerable children is being crowded out by an agenda set by politicians and parents and the media.”

This superbly-written novel should be required reading for every new teacher, every parent and every education bureaucrat. Do have the tissues ready, though: only those with the hardest of hearts won’t exercise their tear ducts. Stroud does manage to include some good doses of humour, and a certain punch will have most readers cheering. Topical, moving and thought-provoking.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Allen & Unwin.