Forty years ago, I was principal of a Queanbeyan primary school for eight years. On one occasion, I joined a protest march by nurses, along the main street during school hours. Unfortunately, it was shown on the local television news, with me holding a large banner alongside a nurse. That reprimand was worth it.

The recent strike by Sydney students, as they demanded that the government take real action on climate change, was, in my opinion, long overdue.

It is certainly not the place of teachers to encourage and help organise such an event. However, if I was still a principal, I would certainly have joined the event that they themselves organised, and been ready to accept another official reprimand.

Those students showed more understanding and initiative than some of our truly, pathetic politicians. Good on them.