View report page

cheque for £85. This latter was used to buy three dozen garden chaira for the
older girls, and the rest supplemented the Minnis Bay project for the juniors.
A party on board the "Arlanza" was planned, but owing to the seamen's strike
it had to be postponed.
Mr. Stewart left the ship, and his place as liaison officer was taken by
Mr. Billings. Mr. Billings and the crew made a film of the ship's activities
which was later shown to the whole school and presented to us as another gift.
Later in the year, Mr. Billings joined the older girls on one of their social
evenings and showed another film taken during a recent voyage, of excursions made
at porta of call en route. This was not offered as a preaent as it waa the
private property of a member of the crew.
It ahould be recorded that when Captain Qibbons visited the school he was
presented with a rug for his cabin, made by the older girls, and a model of the
"Arlanza" in a South American port, made by the juniors. This measured 3 ft. by
2 ft. 6 ins. and was complete with harbour, small craft, as well as the
"Arlanza", customs sheds and even background mountains and foliage.
Throughout the year, the girls and children kept in touch with their ship
with letters and drawings which portrayed their many activitiea in colourful
language.
Each child receives a birthday card from the ship.
Captain Gibbons ordered a magnificent Christmas cake to be made, in the
shape of the "Arlanza", for the school party. It measured 4 ft. x 2½ ft!!
Further, Mr. Billings, who was chef of the "Arlanza", waa given a day's leave to
come to the school and cut this outsize cake into portions. Needless to say,
there was more than enough for everybody.
School and Centre Programmes
A full educational and social programme waa followed in the school department.
An experiment waa started with a small group of emotionally disturbed
children. This proved to be most successful but had to be discontinued due to
lack of staff.
The Seniors had a comprehensive Industried programme which included work
from Spongs of Basildon, Magnavox and, later in the year, Univeraal Crackers Ltd.
Theae offered variety and interest and all proved auccessful.
At the same time, a full remediad, educational training was offered with
full domestic training, cookery, dress-making, simple cleaning and laundry.
The link with the Red Cross was continued and, in connection with this,
three dozen "Disaster Kits" were made by the girls and presented to Mrs. Stewart,
Officer at the Chelmsford Branch. We understand that they were later very
useful at a disaster in the Middle East.
The girla also enjoyed recreational activities of net-ball, singing,
country and modern dances.
Successes
While at the Dymchurch Holiday Camp, one team was successful in defeating
all opponents and was finally presented, at an evening social, with the Net Ball
Certificate for the week.
59