[EAGNEWS.ORG] QUEENSLAND, Australia -- Students and parents at Peregian Springs State School are flipping out after officials banned unsupervised playground cartwheels and handstands to prevent injuries.Two children at the school have been injured recently -- one broke a wrist, the other was kicked in the head -- while performing "cheerleader type stunts," prompting principal Gwen Sands to issue a ban on Monday in the school's newsletter, SunshineCoastDaily.au reports.
"All students have been advised that under no circumstances are they allowed to perform cart wheels, handstands or any other type of gymnastic move at school unless they are properly supervised by a trained PE teacher," according to the announcement. "It would be appreciated if you could remind your children about the safety issues involved with these types of moves."
The news site reports the announcement "caused a stir and left many parents wondering what would be next on the 'ban' wagon."
"When are we going to let kids just be kids?" local government minister David Crisafulli questioned. "I respect the right of the school to protect their students but I also respect the right of children to have a happy childhood, and surely we can find a middle ground in all of this."
Parent Jess Jackman-Ferguson told Sunshine Coast Daily that her six-year-old son is convinced the "silly rule" is designed to suck all of the fun out of school.
Others, like parent Melissa Forrester, contend that the cartwheel ban is simply the latest in a line of other no fun policies in the school district.
Her children were banned from playing with their friends immediately before or after class.
"They have to sit quietly and wait in designated areas or in their classrooms for school to begin," she said.
"Everything is becoming more and more strict and they are allowed to be kids less and less," another disgruntled parent told Sunshine Coast Daily. "I know a lot of other parents also feel it is ridiculous.