Greta Thunberg has become something of a celebrity activist of late and is well on the way to becoming a household name, especially in her home country of Sweden.  She has not only drawn attention to the topic of Climate Change by ‘striking’ outside Sweden’s Parliament, but has also attended summits such as Davos, and raised the profile of the topic in a way that far more apparently formidable lobby groups have failed to do.

For me, Greta’s achievements have a dual function.  Firstly, whatever your stance on Climate Change, you cannot help but admire the impact she has made as a young person by drawing attention to the climate policy of our governments and empowering others that feel strongly to act for themselves.  Secondly, she highlights once again the legitimacy of the statement that forms the first line of our school ethos, that “Every child has an inherent value, which is exceptional and exclusive to them.”  Or, each and every young person has something to give and a contribution to make – both at All Hallows and to the world at large.  Our school is a different and better place because each child has added to our community, sometimes simply by being part of it.

Greta has been diagnosed and identifies herself as being on the autistic spectrum and attributes her determination, perspective and clarity to this neurological difference. “I see the world a bit different, from another perspective,” she explains. “I have a special interest. It’s very common that people on the autism spectrum have a special interest….and I can do the same thing for hours.”  Hence, according to Greta, she did not have such an impact in spite of her difficulties, but because of them.  Food for thought.