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No ill-effects were observable through the school being first opened in midwinter.
A frequent cause of anxiety among the parents is the question of travelling.
Fortunately the children are travelling both morning and evening against the heavy
business traffic. They are divided into travel sections, each section being in charge
of a prefect. Four sections travel by tram car, a fifth section by omnibus, and a
small section by train. The prefects report each morning as to the incidents of the
previous evening journey.
Three meals a day are provided at the school. One difficulty is caused by the
presence of a large number of Jewish children so that two separate canteens are
necessary. Delicate children are faddy about their food, and have been spoilt
by the anxieties of their parents. Porridge and milk will be taken after two or
three days' persuasion, but great difficulty is (or was) found in getting the children
to eat fresh vegetables. It is remarkable that children who are debilitated frequently
refuse the very articles of diet that are essential. The condition of some pre-tuberculous
children is directly due to the want of firmness or resource on the part of
parents in regard to the dietary. Often debilitated children are spoilt children.
And the more they are debilitated, the more they are spoilt. A vicious circle is
thus established with disastrous results. The problem of fresh vegetables has been
practically solved by grating them and administering them in stews.
Fom the date of the school opening until October, 1923, 38 children returned
to elementary school fit, 19 children left over age, some of whom were fit, and 19
left through removals and other causes. The average increase in weight over 12
months was 3.3 kilogrammes in boys, and 3.36 in girls. The boys have increased
on an average 1 kilogramme and the girls half a kilogramme more than the average
child in elementary schools.
Clothing is no great difficulty. Parents seem to be able to provide layers and
layers of body clothing. Some children are much overclothed. About 20 per cent,
of the children, however, come badly shod, but help has been forthcoming from the
Mayor of Poplar's fund.
The curriculum is admirably adapted to meet the conditions of the children
and their environment. Singing and dancing are prominent features. The great
improvement in the carriage of the girls is due to the systematic course in dancing
given. The teaching and practice of hygiene is a definite part of the school instruction.
The Council's booklet on "The Health of School Children" forms the basis
of the lessons, while washing, teeth-cleaning, etc., form the practice.
The reports on the Shooter's-hill and Bow-road open-air schools inspire the
hope that it may be possible to proceed further with the Council's program for the
establishment of open-air schools in other parts. It is hoped that a further