A primary school has banned its students from hugging one another to respect 'personal space' and to teach them to 'be cautious'.

The ban on hugging carries no punishment at the St Patrick's Primary School in Geelong West, 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, principal John Grant toldHerald Sun.

Instead, teachers have encouraged their students to show affection in different ways – including giving a high five, clunking knuckles, or giving 'verbal affirmations'.

St Patrick's Primary School (pictured) in Geelong West, one hour south-west of Melbourne, has placed a 'ban' on hugging

'It really comes back to not everyone is comfortable in being hugged,' the principal told Herald Sun.

'But in this current day and age we are really conscious about protecting kids and teaching them from a young age that you have to be cautious,' Mr Grant said.

Parents have not been formally told of the new rule, though a letter will be sent home on Monday after students were told by their teachers.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Mr Grant said they had 'not applied a blanket ban on hugging'.

'We are simply focussed on teaching all students to respect their own and other people's personal space.

'We are encouraging students to consider other forms of positive acknowledgement as all students have the right to feel safe and comfortable at school.'

'We are encouraging students to consider other forms of positive acknowledgement as all students have the right to feel safe and comfortable at school,' the principal said in a statement

President of the Parents and Friends Association, Robyn Tigani, explained it was in response to older students going up to the youngest at the start of the year to give them a hug because 'they're little and cute'.

She said the children, with some as young as four, did not always like it.

'They're not dollies, they're people,' she told 3AW Mornings.

People were expressing their disbelief at the hugging ban on Monday.

'NANNY STATE HAS GONE TOO FAR!' one person wrote.

'Not a good way to go. Humans need hugs,' another said.

'Weep for our future.'

News Corp columnist Rita Panahi wrote on Twitter it was 'loony left indoctrination of school kids'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the St Patrick's Primary School Parents and Friends Association for comment.