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142
(9) OPEN AIR EDUCATION.
Playground. Classes.—May I call attention to the comments
I made last year with regard to open air education? This is an
aspect of the educational life of a child which is not sufficiently
entertained by those who are responsible for looking after children.
Everything seems to militate against education in the open air—
the construction of the schools, the construction of the furniture,
books and stationery, and I am almost tempted to believe, the
necessary nature of the curriculum as understood by the representatives
of the Board of Education.
From a hygienic standpoint there can be no question but that
the rule should be for classes generally to be held in the open air,
with the building as a refuge only when circumstances make this
impossible.
It is a very wrong thing for children to be brought up with the
idea that the house is the natural environment of man. When one
sees the fine results of open-air treatment at sanatoria there is
certainly an inclination to look upon houses as only a necessary evil.
This is perhaps stretching the situation unduly, but there can be
no question we do not do enough in the open air, and the glorification
of home life has led to the glorification of the house, to the detriment
of open air life.
School Journeys.—The following school journeys were made by
scholars during 1930:—
Date. School. Place Visited.
June, 1930 North St. Boys' School Stratford-on-Avon.
(7 days). (30 boys)
June, 1930 Church of England Girl's Yarbridge, Isle of Wight.
(10 days) School (22 girls)
Sept., 1930 Westbury Boys' School Sandown, Isle of Wight.
(15 days) (30 boys)
Aug.-Sept., Ripple Boys' School Sandown, Isle of Wight.
1930 (30 boys)
(15 days)