View report page

44
Annual Report of the Organisers of Physical Education for tl.
Year ended 31st December, 1944.
During the year under review, Physical Education has been
considerably upset by the development of the war. The recurrence
of various forms of air attack led to further evacuation of
school children, and the consequent disorganisation of school life
affected the normal progress of Physical Education in the
schools. Once again, therefore, the work of the Organisers lay
chiefly in advisory and supervisory visits. The frequent changes
in teaching staff and class organisation, because of evacuation,
made it impossible to develop the schemes of Physical Education
on their broadest lines, but it is greatly to the credit of head and
assistant teachers that some form of physical activity was continued
regularly in the schools.
At the beginning of the summer it was thought that further
efforts could be made to foster the development of Swimming
and Athletics. A one-day Lecture-Demonstration Course in
Swimming was arranged for men and women teachers, and conducted
by Mr. W. Downing of the Southgate School of Swimming.
The co-operation of the Head Teachers in releasing members
of staff for this purpose during school hours was greatly
appreciated. The Course was an excellent one of its type, but
those who attended it were prevented from experimenting with
what they had learned, owing to the flying-bombs. These attacks
also caused the cancellation of all School Sports programmes.
It is to be regretted that there has been a further loss of
men teachers by delayed call-up and transfers to other schools.
It is hoped that in the near future conditions will be such that
Service men may return, and additional men be appointed to the
area. In connection with the latter, it should be remembered
that men with specialist qualifications in Physical Education will
be required in Hornsey to be responsible for the work in
Secondary Schools of all types.
In considering the more immediate future, plans are being
made to hold a Training Course in Physical Education during
school hours, on a more ambitious scale than has been possible
so far during the war years.
It is only by such courses that the necessary material can
be given to those who most require it, in particular branches of
the subject.
A class of youths and boys from Crouch End School gave a
demonstration of Vaulting and Agility work at the Annual Holiday
Course of the Ling Physical Education Association.
It is commendable that the classes in Evening Institutes and
Clubs were continued, although on a much reduced scale. The
Organisers look forward to the time when they will be in a
position to report a development in this branch of their work.
An area course for leaders of Recreative Physical Training was
held in the Summer term, and attended by nine Youths from
Hornsey.
JOHN B. MARR.
FLORENCE E. BIRKBY.
Organisers of Physical Traimv