Outrage as school bans cartwheels
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August 26, 2008 09:45am
FORGET smoking or bullying - at a Townsville primary school, doing a cartwheel in the playground can get you suspended.
Belgian Gardens State School has banned all forms of gymnastics during breaks, including handstands and somersaults. Even the humble forward roll has been given the flick, the Townsville Bulletin reports.
Mum Kylie Buschgens was dumbfounded when her daughter Cali, 10, was told she could no longer do cartwheels, even on the grass.
Her friend was busted and punished by the cartwheel cops this week.
"We had to practise for a play and she did one on the grass," Cali said. "Two teachers took her upstairs and she had to sit down for the rest of the day and not do anything."
Ms Buschgens met with school principal Glenn Dickson and was told gymnastics activities were a "medium risk level 2" that posed a danger to children.
After making her own inquiries, Ms Buschgens found gymnastics was indeed listed as a level 2 risk – when performed in class – along with cricket, soccer, tennis, netball, touch football and other sports. Those sports have not been banned at lunchtime.
"I said (to the principal), 'What if she keeps doing a handstand?' and he said she'd get into trouble," Ms Buschgens said.
"I asked what would happen if she was a repeat handstand offender and he said that would be defiance and it could lead to her being suspended."
Read the full story at the Townsville Bulletin.
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Repeat offender ... 10-year-old cartwheeler Cali Buschgens with her mum Kylie. Picture: Townsville Bulletin / Townsville Bulletin
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Have Your Say
Latest Comments:
I am the father of Deirdre Faegre, the American student referenced in this latest episode of outrageous usurpation of life, liberty and happiness in Australia. Take off the gloves Ms Buschgens, and let the education elite know that you are in control of your children--not faceless authoritarians determined to deny children their rite of passage. Stand up to them and let me know if I can help... Leland Thomas Faegre http://www.ontopofacloud.com/deirdre.htm
Posted by: Leland Thomas Faegre of United States 3:06am today
While they're at it, better make schools all at ground level just in case a child falls down them. What's really pathetic about this is that they have to do it in the first place so unethical parents can't sue them.
Posted by: IJ of Brisbane 8:14pm August 27, 2008
Skipping is a gymnastic activity, so I expect that this is also banned. As to the potential danger. Bystanders can be hit by cricket balls. Those that are running, could trip and fall awkwardly. Ad nausium. If they are to ban one Level 2 activity, then they better ban them all. After all there is the possibility that any activity can result in permanent injury, or even death. Hopefully the saner solution will prevail, where the petty bureaucrat and the insurance lawyers are put against the wall and permanently removed from society. Leaving children to run, play , socialise and develop normally. Raising children where they can not play, have fun, suffer the occasional injury (from which they learn and grow) and where they live in constant fear of litigation is not only wrong, but should be considered as abuse.
Posted by: annoyed of 4:07pm August 27, 2008
Exactly how long will it be before we all have to live in bubbles? It's ridiculous. Ridiculous enough for me to want to tell someone it's ridiculous.
Posted by: Danielle of Brisbane 3:39pm August 27, 2008
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