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110
REPORT OF THE ORGANISER OF PHYSICAL TRAINING.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit the Report of my work as Organiser of Physical
Training for the year 1918.
My time was devoted to:—
(1) Visiting all the Departments of the Elementary Schools (with the
exception of the Boys' Departments) for the purpose of advising
the teachers on the physical training carried on in the Schools.
(2) Attending at the School Treatment Centre, 228, London Road,
four sessions weeklv, for the purpose of giving Remedial Exercises.
(3) Visiting the gymnastic classes held in connection with the Girls'
Evening Institutes.
(4) Holding Physical Training Classes for the Student Teachers and
Teachers in the Elementary Schools.
I was absent from duty from May 10th to August 26th, owing to
illness.
Physical Training in the Elementary Schools was carried on in spite
of many difficulties, e.g., the two outbreaks of influenza, bad weather,
etc. I would again emphasise the need of suitable covered accommodation
for physical exercises. As I pointed out in my Report of March, 1918,
the accommodation for the practice of physical exercises in extreme cold
and heat, and in wet weather, is inadequate in most of the schools. I
would beg to quote from the 1917 Report of the Chief Medical Officer of
the Board of Education: "Authorities will understand that physical
exercises cannot be taken satisfactorily between desks or on a rough uneven
playground surface and though a special hall or room for gymnastics is
not available in all cases, it seems not unreasonable to suggest the provision
of an adequate covered shed in the playgrounds, suitably lighted, ventilated
and floored, in which exercises can be taken in practically all weathers,"
During the year I found it advisable to draw the attention of the Clerk
to the rough state of some of the playgrounds, as I felt there was a
certain amount of risk in the playing of running games. It was found
impossible, however, for any improvements to be made owing to the Board
of Trade regulations as to the use of tar. May I urge, however, that the
necessary repairs be made as soon as is possible, as much of the spirit and
joy of a physical exercise lesson is lost if free running has to be omitted.
I have endeavoured, during my visits to the various classes, to get the
work as bright and vigorous as possible and, by the introduction of more
free formation work and brightening movements, to make the tables less
formal, especially in the Infants and lower standard classes. The Syllabus
of Games and Play Movements, introduced into the Infants' Departments
in 1917, has proved successful in most cases and I would like to bear
tesimony to the loyal support and co-operation of the teachers in the
Infants' Schools in the introduction of this scheme.