View report page

groups, and practise not because they must, but because they
want to be better than average at that particular game. The
changing and washing facilities, ancillary to the playing of
games, especially of the kind that covers players with mud,
are not as good as is necessary, and improvements in this
respect would do much to clinch the enjoyment that players
get from taking part. The feeling of contentment coming from
a hard game, a hot shower and good fellowship are great
factors in social education.
Fencing has been adopted by two Secondary boys
schools and congratulations are due to Bexleyheath Secondary
Boy's School who this year produced the Kent Champion.
Swimming
Swimming suffered considerably this year owing to the
'bus strike which made it impossible for many children to
attend the baths for seven weeks. As a result the total of
certificates gained dropped from 357 to 206. Baths used were
at Plumstead, Eltham (both closed and open air), Crayford
and Bexley (Open air). Eleven primary and five secondary
schools attended each week, the average being about 870
pupils while transport was available to Plumstead.
This year an event of some importance occurred when
East Wickham C.P. Junior Mixed School opened its own
swimming pool and so was able to carry out a teaching programme
under almost ideal conditions—no dislocation of
time-table, no long journeys, no fear of deep water, no restriction
on the number of visits to the bath. When it is remembered
that other children in the borough are expected to learn
to swim in about ten lessons during the summer it can be
readily understood what an advantage has been gained for
the children of this school. If more of these baths would be
built the dream of "every child a swimmer" could soon be
realised. As a result of this effort, 140 children at East Wickham
learned to swim 10 yards or more out of a total school
roll of 380. This means that by the time the child is in the
top class of this Junior school he or she should be able to
swim. The Headmaster, Parents, Staff and all concerned are
to be congratulated on their vision and enterprise in providing
this amenity.
67