Why one principal backed his students' decision to attend climate strike

By Michael Parker
Community contribution / September 19, 2019

Damn these Year Elevens. They come into my office asking me to support the climate strike. They tell me that it is their planet too and that they should be able to protest about what is the most important issue of their lives. They ask whether the school will stand up for them.

I don’t want to catch the political nuclear-grade hot potato that is the climate ‘debate’. I have a strategic plan ...

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By Michael Parker

Community

Headmaster of Newington College, Stanmore in Sydney.

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"We consider that climate change caused by humans is an urgent issue, particularly for young people. We understand the importance of student critical thinking and student voice in addressing this singularly important issue. We thus support the decision of our boys whose parents have given them permission to be absent to represent their views about climate change at the climate march on 20 September."

— Michael Parker

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Why one principal backed his students' decision to attend climate strike

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