We are not only approaching the end of the calendar year but also the end of the “noughties”, the decade in which the 21st century and 3rd millennium began.
It is something of a cliché to talk of a fast changing world but nonetheless interesting to reflect on some of the innovations and events which have occurred during the past ten years. For example, how many of you can imagine life without the iPod, YouTube or social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter?
George Bush, hardly the world’s favourite politician, was twice elected President of the United States prior to Barack Obama becoming the first African-American President in a moment which gave renewed hope to the world.
The world was not at peace, with major conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorist acts across the globe. The attacks on New York City and Washington DC seemed to set the tone for the new decade and the horror was brought closer to home with the death of 50 people in London in July 2005.
The planet registered its own disquiet with a series of natural disasters which heightened concerns about man’s treatment of his environment. The tsunami in south east Asia and hurricane Katrina which devasted New Orleans spring quickly to mind along with the on-going debate about the effects of global warming.
Popular culture has embraced television programmes such as Big Brother, Pop Idol and The X Factor, while the London skyline has seen the addition of the London Eye, the Dome, the Gherkin and the new Wembley Stadium.
All this could make the daily life of a local secondary school appear insignificant but in many ways nothing could be further from the truth. It is ever more important that we equip our young people to face the challenges ahead; to give them the chance to contribute to shaping their own futures; to lead them to an understanding of the global issues; and to develop tolerance of diversity and difference.