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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ORGANISERS OF
PPIYSICliL EDUCATION FOE THE
ELIDED 31st MARCH, 1946.
The year under review should be regarded as having been a year of
planning for the future rather than one of specific achievement. The
reliefs brought about by the end of hostilities were not reflected in
improved conditions in the schools from any point of view. In fact many
of the difficulties wore increased.
During the war years there was a marked deterioration in all the
conditions and facilities required for Physical Education. Frequent staff
changes together with a fluctuating school population inevitably resulted
in a general lowering of the standard of work in the schools. From the
date of the first evacuation there was little stability in tilings pertaining
to physical education. The drop in the intake of new staff, in addition to
young men entering the forces, deprived the Authority of the services of
many able teachers, and, one by one, the facilities provided for physical
Education suffered.
The Organisers would like to place on record however, that there was the
utmost co-operation in the schools in endeavouring to overcome the
difficulties experienced. The Heads were most accommodating in regard to
time-table and staffing arrangements, and the teachers were persistent in
their efforts to maintain a reasonable standard of efficiency. In particular,
the older teachers, untrained in modern methods of physical education, are to
be congratulated on their efforts.
Equipment.
In some cases successful efforts were made to improvise footwear, clothing
and apparatus. The importance to the child of being properly clad for
physical activities cannot be over-emphasised. A1though it will doubtless be
some time before all children will have shorts and vests, for physical training
it is encouraging to note that supplies of rubber shoes are increasing. The
Organisers appreciate the Committee's recent purchase of 2,000 pairs of
plimsolls.
Good use is bein, made of some of the black-out material by converting it
into shorts. The ucahcers aro to bo commended for undertaking this additional
work.
Although the annual allocation of new apparatus was small some items were
more generously distributed this year. The chief need is in respect of all
types of balls particularly in the Primary Departments.
Swimming.
The Organisers have always boen concerned that large numbers of school
children in the Borough could not be offered facilities for learning to swim.
Upon the cessation of hostilities, plans were made which it was hoped
would eventually result in swimming being regarded as a class subject for all
who were physically fit. In the first place, as a now venture, arrangements
wore made for swimming to be continued throughout the winter, and the response
from schools was regarded as being most encouraging for the first season.
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