These case studies relate to the end of the primary years and
the earlier years of secondary school. These stages of schooling
pose a number of challenges for any student, and they deserve
special attention for Indigenous students in particular. First,
the transition to secondary school can be disruptive and
disconcerting. Students often find they are moving from a secure
and predictable environment to one which seems uncertain and
difficult. It is easy to get lost in the transition. Second,
students can find problems maintaining motivation and interest
as they move through the early secondary years. Adolescence is
often a contributing factor to this, as are the multiple and
sometimes abstract demands on students. For Indigenous students
in particular, there may sometimes be a lack of suitable role
models and the rewards of staying at school can seem distant and
difficult to attain.