Schoolgirl fails maths exam on purpose to attend a climate change protest

Schoolgirl fails crucial maths exam on purpose so she can attend climate change rally – as other students are given full marks for taking SELFIES at the protests

  • Perth schoolgirl said she will fail maths exams to attend climate change protests 
  • Siobhan Sutton, 15, said the school would mark her absence as ‘unauthorised’ 
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An academically gifted schoolgirl from Perth will deliberately miss a crucial maths exam so that she can attend climate change protests on Friday. 

Siobhan Sutton will miss her exam – worth 25 per cent of her final grade – to join hundreds of other students across the country in the School Strike for Climate. 

She has the support of her mother, however, she claims the selective Perth Modern School she attends will not allow her to reschedule the test. 

The 15-year-old student says she will receive zero for the exam because her absence will be marked as ‘unauthorised’. 

Meanwhile, students at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have reportedly been told they will be given full marks on an assessment if they take a selfie at one of the protests. 

An academically gifted schoolgirl from Perth will deliberately miss a crucial maths exam so that she can attend climate change protests on Friday (pictured are protesters in The Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Sydney) 

Protesters with placards participate in The Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Sydney, Friday, September 20, 2019

Protesters with placards participate in The Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Sydney, Friday, September 20, 2019 

A representative from WA Education Department said he does not expect schools to make arrangements for students to resit exams (pictured are protesters flood the Domain in Sydney on Friday September 20 to protest climate change)

A representative from WA Education Department said he does not expect schools to make arrangements for students to resit exams (pictured are protesters flood the Domain in Sydney on Friday September 20 to protest climate change) 

Protesters in Armidale, NSW on Friday

Protesters in Armidale, NSW on Friday 

‘I have basically been told that because it is not a valid reason to be missing school, it is not a medical reason or anything, I am going to get a zero on the test if I don’t actually sit it,’ she told the ABC. 

She says her maths teacher gave her the option to site the test before school on Friday but she could not as it conflicted with her duties as a protest organiser. 

Siobhan’s mother Antje said she is proud of her daughter. 

‘You have to get your priorities right. It is regrettable that she is going to get a zero [on the test], but it is more important to be involved in the action that could make a difference to her future.’ she said. 

Strikes have been organised at every major city across the country, inspired by Sweedish teenager and climate activist Greta Thunberg. 

Deputy Director General, Public Schools Stephen Baxter told Daily Mail Australia he doesn’t expect schools to make different arrangements for students attending the protests.  

The Global Strike 4 Climate is organised in 110 towns and cities across Australia on Friday

The Global Strike 4 Climate is organised in 110 towns and cities across Australia on Friday 

Businesses are also shutting their doors for the protest

Businesses are also shutting their doors for the protest 

‘We’re encouraged that young people take great interest in these topics. It provides a relevant teaching opportunity to delve into the issue as part of a real learning experience,’ Mr Baxter said.

‘Of course, if kids aren’t in schools, we can’t teach them and they’ll be marked as absent. As today is simply another school day, I expect public schools won’t change the way they run and mark scheduled tests today.’ 

President of the WA Secondary School Executives Association, Armando Giglia, said students would not be penalised for missing school to attend climate change action. 

He did, however, say that exam dates were scheduled at the beginning of the school year and students would need to make a decision. 

‘If a student is making a choice to go to the rally that is terrific, they have a right to do that… If later in life you were working and going on strike, there is a consequence – it would cost you a day’s pay to make your point. In this case, if it costs you an assessment, that is their choice.’ he said. 

WA Education Minister Sue Ellery said she understood student’s concerns about the issue, adding she was not opposed to them attending protests with their parents support. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Perth Modern School for comment. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk