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61
were assisted, where necessary, by the School Nurses.
The infestation rate is commendabry low and speaks well
for the standard of child care in the Borough.
Physical Education.
Schemes of work have proceeded steadily and
teachers are reducing the spate of post-war ideas to
workable limits in their varying circumstances. This is
particularly true in the Infant and Junior Schoo.ls, where
most experiment has been made in recent years.
It was noticable that in the Infant and Junior
Schools, children showed greater self-assurance in their
work. It is thought that this is largely due to three
factors:—
(1) a greater use of small apparatus, which allows
the individual child to advance in skill at a rate
commensurate with his ability;
(2) the introduction of agility apparatus upon
which the child can satisfy his need for
climbing, hanging and swinging;
(3) the use of teaching methods which demand
more thought on the part of the individual
child, rather than the drill system which tended
to produce automatic, unthinking response.
The work in Secondary Schools proceeded on traditional
lines and existing standards were maintained.
Recent research into the curriculum for the Secondary
School has resulted in a shift of emphasis, rather than
the introduction of new activities, and more attention has
been paid to the English games and sports, at the expense,
necessarily (in view of restrictions of time) of
Swedish gymnastics. Distinct progress has been made
in Modern and National Dancing in the Girls' Secondary
Schools, and further development is expected in view ot'
the great interest shown in these activities in the Primary
Schools.
Swimming.
Swimming, mainly in the Summer Season, was
enjoyed by 584 Secondary pupils and 614 Junior pupils
at the following swimming baths;—
(i) Danson Pool
(ii) Plumstead
(iii) Eltham indoor
(iv) Eltham open air
(v) Charlton Park