Teacher training, not bans, keeps cartwheels safe
Melbourne schools are restricting cartwheels. But research suggests better teacher training, not bans, may be the smarter safety move.
Some Melbourne primary schools have begun restricting cartwheels and handstands after student injuries. The Victorian Principals Association defends this as temporary and educational.
Other schools have tried similar steps before: Townsville in 2008, Sydney in 2012, and Bunbury in 2017. The real issue is not the activity itself but how it is supervised.
Teachers report rating their training for managing outdoor play at just 2.3 out of 10. Many worry about not enough staff and poor ground maintenance.
Wrist sprains and arm fractures are common in gymnastics. But banning an activity is not always the best response.
Teaching standards require schools to balance safety with challenge. Experts say more training beats restrictions.
- 2.3 out of 10
- Teacher training self-rating
- Townsville, 2008
- First school ban
- 2012
- Sydney requirement
- Western Australia, 2017
- Bunbury action
Why it mattersHow schools approach risk shapes children's physical confidence and development. Too cautious policies may leave kids less resilient and less physically capable.
AustraliaThe decision affects Australian school playgrounds and reflects a broader culture of caution in Australian education that may limit how kids learn to manage real risk.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
