A Sydney primary school has banned clapping in a bid to respect students who are ‘sensitive to noise’.
Instead, students at Elanora Heights Public School can silent cheer, pull excited faces and punch the air – but only when teachers say it’s ok to do so.
The new rule was introduced in a school newsletter, with claims it ‘reduces fidgeting’.
The newsletter reads: “The practice has been adopted to respect members of our school community who are sensitive to noise.
“When you attend an assembly, teachers will prompt the audience to conduct a silent cheer if it is needed.
“Teachers have also found the silent cheers to be a great way to expend children’s energy and reduce fidgeting.”
This news comes just after it was revealed Cheltenham Girls High School has banned teachers from calling pupils ‘ladies’, ‘women’ or ‘girls’.
There are also other Australian schools that have banned hugging, celebrating Australia Day and the word ‘black’ in the nursery rhyme “Baa Baa Black Sheep”.
