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boys gain their Bronze Medallion while there, and some after
several visits gain their Silver. This adventurous attitude
says much for the masters and boys concerned.
Bexley Schools have developed fencing to a very high
standard and have produced several Kent Schoolboy Champions
and one National Champion. It is hoped that the gap
between fencing at secondary school level and fencing as an
adult will be bridged by encouraging the sport in the various
Youth Clubs. The two years between sixteen and eighteen
are not catered for at present and could mean the loss of
interest and the loss of a great local asset.
Swimming
4 secondary and 11 primary schools attended the closedin
baths at Plumstead and Eltham and the open-air baths at
Eltham Park South, Danson Park and Martens Grove.
Schools Attendances No. of children
4 secondary 13 classes—25-30 children 394 approx. each
each week week
11 primary 19 classes—30-35 children 628 approx. each
each week week
A total of 399 swimming certificates for distances between
25 yards and one mile were gained and issued during
the year 1959. Three primary schools continued swimming
throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms.
It is interesting at this stage to compare the results with
a primary school possessing its own teaching pool:—
School Roll—330 (age 7-11 years)
Number able to swim one length or more 213
Number learning to swim last year 144
Number of Bexley Certificates issued 115
The results show that a quarter of the certificates issued
were gained by one school. One could hardly wish for a
better illustration of what can be achieved when the conditions
are nearly perfect for good instruction.
Outdoor Pursuits.
There is a growing desire to take part in the various
activities connected with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award,
particularly for canoeing and sailing, and it is hoped that
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