Leaving School Early Worked Out Fine: Sam Gawenda on Trades, Business and Doing Hard Things

If you are watching your child step off the traditional track, this is reassurance. For Sam, leaving school in Year 11 was the start, not the setback. What happens if you leave school early and do not follow the expected path? Sam Gawenda left in Year 11, became a bricklayer, moved into mortgage broking, built and sold a business, and is now starting a new chapter. His pathway is a clear reminder that success is rarely linear. But the conversation goes deeper than careers: it is about doing hard, uncomfortable things even when fear is present, and the role of mentors and environment in shaping who we become. He also explores rites of passage and what is missing for many young people today. No single score or decision defines your future. 🎧 What You’ll Discover: • Why leaving school early in Year 11 didn't limit success • The non-linear path from a trade to building a business • Why doing hard, uncomfortable things drives growth • How environment and mentors shape a young person • Modelling courage and resilience as a parent • Focusing on vision rather than the exact process Know someone else with a unique or interesting path? Share it with us at [email protected]! More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. New episodes fortnightly. Subscribe to follow along.