School to discuss clapping ‘ban’ after complaints

A northern beaches school will discuss its clapping ‘ban’ with parents after the controversial rule was derided in the national press, leaving the local community divided.

Stock image of schoolchildren

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PARENTS  of children at a northern beaches school that has banned clapping in favour of silent cheering during assemblies, appear divided on the issue.

According to one mother the school phone was ringing “red hot” on Thursday with irate people complaining about the ban, which gained national media attention after it was mentioned in a school newsletter.

It stated students are asked to refrain from clapping and instead they are “free to punch the air, pull excited faces and wriggle about on the spot”.

The rule was introduced only at assemblies held once every three weeks because of a teacher with “acute sensitivity to loud noise”.

But, one mum, 48, who did not want to be named, said the policy lacked common sense, was ridiculous and embarrassing for the school.

“This ban takes away the joy of being a child,” she said.

“Can’t the teacher remove herself for the last few seconds of the assembly when the awards are given out so children can clap their friends?”

However, another mum, also speaking anonymously, said she was disgusted at the outrage from northern beaches residents and lack of empathy for someone with a disability.

“People should be proud that the school is so caring,” she said.

“This has been in place for more than a year, so why all the complaints now?”

Asked whether the concerns of some parents would result in the decision being reversed, a spokesman from the Department of Education said the school “will communicate with parents in relation to this matter”.

He added that no one had complained about the no clapping rule until it made its way into the media.

He said the school had since received 10 calls from parents, evenly split for and against the ban.