Australian school bans cartwheels

I am the father of Deirdre Faegre, the American student suspended for cartwheels in 2004 and 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

that's not good. safety is important but children should be allowed to play. Instead of banning this, wouldn't it be a better idea to have someone monitor the children during recess and make sure they are being safe?

bitterjug.com

Bitterjug has contributed a photo to this story.

this is my son having fun at the beach doing one hand cartwheels

angelo.vasta has contributed a photo to this story.

Jim R. Pritchett has contributed a photo to this story.

Gymnastics in the form of cartwheels, handstands, or backbends encourages social and physical activity, interest and learning new things. Keep your kids strong, keep their minds open and encourage experiences.

melanielabrie has contributed a photo to this story.

What is our world coming to when children can't even play anymore because people are so worried about injury? Kids need exercise and a release for their energy. Skinned knees and broken bones are part of life and growing up.

I'm afraid to ask, "what's next?".

MonP has contributed a photo to this story.

This picture was taken in a park in Boston on a lunch break.

blusparrow has contributed a photo to this story.

cartwheeling in my backyard

emhartzell has contributed a photo to this story.

My photo was taken in Hanalei on Kaua'i, in Hawaii. You can see more of my photos and writing at The Inadvertent Gardener.

Demonstrating how to do a cartwheel to my 59 year old mum who wants to learn how to do it! Rowntrees Park, York, UK.

Bronny Bird has contributed a photo to this story.

taken at the beach and having some fun. what not a better way to have fun than doing things like cartwheels. i haven't heard barley anything about this story but it sure shouldn't happen. what bad things would come out of this?

drum18chick has contributed a photo to this story.

It's nice to hear that we're not the only people being bombarded with polically correct health and safety nonsense. Kids should be kids, enjoy themselves and have fun. Physical activity is good to build fitness and strength, maintain health and build confidence. Gymnastics is not something that my daughter studies, she is just naturally athletic and always upside down doing back flips, cartwheels, handstands, you name it. NOT ONCE has she hurt herself doing any of these things. In fact, to the contrary, I think they have made her far more supple and less susceptible to injury as a result. It's also brough her out of her shell and out of the shadow of her big sister as she's just so good at something that none of the rest of us can do. By the way, I'm banking on London 2012. She'll be just about right to go for gold! photo's for all occasions. paul.gridley@btinternet.com (United Kingdom)

paul.gridley has contributed a photo to this story.

SO instead of keeping a check on drugs, you decide to do this? And I though Indian democracy is bad.!

Aditya Rao. has contributed a photo to this story.

This photo was taken on 2nd beach in Newport, Rhode Island. It was from a fun day at the beach with a bunch of friends. We had races along the water's edge, chased seagulls away from our food and had handstand and cartwheel competitions. Aww i miss those summer days of just relaxation and fun.

iluvrocknrole27 has contributed a photo to this story.

Photography by: Athena Denos
Los Angeles, CA

athenaphotography@live.com

Athena Denos has contributed a photo to this story.

The annual Fourth of July parade was held in Hilliard OH. This year turned out to be a we one, but it didn't diminish the enthusiasm of the participants. Here, a young gymnast is seen executing a cartwheel on the rain-soaked street.

The Haney Family has contributed a photo to this story.

personally, i enjoyed doing thousands upon thousands of cartwheels, roundoffs, handstands, handsprings and somersaults in my youth.. i wouldnt and couldnt take that fun and good exercise away from anyone.

even at 34 -in this picture- its (occasionally) one of lifes great simple pleasures. i'll be waiting for the day my 2 children want to try it for themselves!

certainly learning how to do it properly (good body mechanics) and on a good surface for falls is important while you are learning... is always best for safety.

phbb has contributed a photo to this story.

photo (c) Ted Belton

visit my photo gallery at http://bohemianbutterflies.deviantart.com/
or http://www.modelmayhem.com/tedbeltonphotography

Ted Belton has contributed a photo to this story.

thats mee

simpkins.emily has contributed a photo to this story.

I stumbled across this strange lady in the back streets of Manchester. She is known around town as the "Cartwheelwoman", simply displaying her unique love for cartwheels by showing all who will watch, with delightful form and posture.

falcon876 has contributed a photo to this story.

This is my daughter enjoying herself playing in the sunshine. Children should be allowed to run around, do handstands or cartwheels and generally do what kids do best, play and have fun!

I can see doing handstands or cartwheels on concrete would be slightly dangerous, but on grass I don't see the problem.

Children are growing up far too fast these days, stop putting so many rules and regulations on children's play, let them enjoy themselves whilst they are still young and innocent.

rockadee has contributed a photo to this story.

Work by Anita Brodie of Maryland I actually took this shot at Carmel Beach in California. I was just laying out in the sun and saw this woman doing cartwheel after cartwheel and loved how her lines were so straight and perfect!

You can visit my photography at www.flickr.com/chicphotog.  Feel free to stop by and drop a few comments!

chicphotog has contributed a photo to this story.

My Grandaughter doing what she loves best, Children need to be children and not wrapped in coton wool.
This was taken on a beach in Kent England.

trinovante has contributed a photo to this story.