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The Play Centre will fill an obvious gap in the life pf the school
child, and by providing healthy recreation will have an important
influence on its social and physical development.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
Under this heading reference should be made to the excellent
work that is being done in teaching school children to swim and the
facilities that are afforded for this purpose at the Beckenham Public
Baths.
These Swimming exercises have an important influence on the
health and in promoting the development of the child, and I have
frequently urged parents who do not approve of their children going
to the Baths, to allow them to do so on the grounds of health.
I give below the Report of the Organiser of Swimming Instruction
for the Season 1920:—
SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING CLASSES, 1920.
" The principal feature of the Season's work was the
extraordinary enthusiasm for Swimming and Life-Saving in
the Girls' Schools, which will be apparent from the figures in
the subjoined tables.

" For the purpose of tests and obtaining Certificates of
Ability to Swim (Boys 100 yds., Girls 50 yds.), all Beckenham
Children are affiliated to the London Schools Swimming
Association, which comprises over 1,400 Schools in 49 Districts
of London and Suburbs. The following table shows the
numbers of Certificates gained in schools in the District of
Beckenham and the corresponding numbers for the next most
successful Districts during the past two years:—