THE fun is over for Sydney schoolchildren who dare to do cartwheels and handstands in the playground.I sometimes weep for the world these poor tykes are being forced to live in. Doing what has come naturally to kids for time immemorial - or, according to the definition in English Law, a lot longer than that - is now apparently too dangerous unless overseen by a paid expert. The dull-minded arrogance behind such a policy is truly staggering, isn't it? Self-centred adults inflicting their own set of values and fears onto minds which should be blissfully ignorant of all of them.
Drummoyne Public School has banned handstands, cartwheels and somersaults during lunch and recess unless "under the supervision of a trained gymnastics teacher and with correct equipment."
I'd like to say it's a small bit of Aussie lunacy, but we've seen the same in this country and in Canada.
Sorry, but I'm not buying any 'health and safety' bullshit on this issue. Nor do I believe it is any kind of excuse that they feel they might be sued by over-zealous parents. Both of those, if employed as excuses, are pure cowardice and reason for the idiots involved to be drummed out of childcare professions for good.
Safety should be a concern, yes, but the moment it usurps innocent childish fun it becomes quite evil. Kids have always enjoyed playing and, indeed, learn vital life skills by doing so. To deprive them of this and fill their minds with exaggerated fear is almost an abuse in itself.
Still, I suppose once kids have been taught that it is natural for pleasure to be curtailed in pursuit of overbearing security, they'll be far easier to control in the future, won't they?
Well done Australia, you continue to keep Ben Franklin spinning in his box.
H/T Aussie jewel thief, Cherie.
