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111
Progress has been made in some schools in the provision of suitable
clothing for physical exercises but, owing to war conditions, the difficulties
of obtaining suitable material have been very great. Tunics and knickers
have been made in many schools, also shoes. The decision of the
Education Committee that material for such hand-made shoes can, in
future, be requisitioned, will prove a tremendous impetus in this matter.
A certain number of the teachers in the Girls' Departments now wear
gymnastic costume themselves when giving a physical training lesson, but
the number is limited, owing to the total lack of dressing-room
accommodation in most of the schools and also to the exposed nature of
the playgrounds.
The number of schools devoting time to organised playground games
increases but slowly. I would suggest that the provision of a certain
amount of simple apparatus, such as bean-bags, basket-balls, skipping
ropes, etc., would do much to increase interest and enthusiasm. Many
of the schools find the provision of the necessary apparatus for basketball,
swimming, etc., a verv great difficulty, and I am strongly of the
opinion that a "games subscription" from the scholars is undesirable,
as it so often excludes those children who need games most.
I would again emphasise the fact, mentioned in my last report, that
many of the desks still in use in the schools, are harmful to the growing
child, and urge that every seat should at least have a suitable back.
As mentioned earlier in this report, I attended the Spinal Remedial
Class four sessions weekly. Formerly each child attended for treatment
twice weekly, but this year an experiment was made of having the more
severe cases three or four times weekly, and it was found they responded
more quicklv to treatment in this way.
Children treated during year Girls, 40; Boys, 1
Discharged (not requiring further treatment) 10
„ (not advisable to continue) 3
„ (owing to irregular attendance) 1
Left School 9
Left District 2
Still Attending Class 16
Total Attendances during Year 995
The Class was closed for three months, owing to my illness, and again for
a fortnight in November, owing to the second outbreak of influenza.
I was only able to visit the gymnastic classes held in connection
with the Evening Institutes once, as they were held on the same evenings
as the teachers' classes and therefore I was not free.
The following Courses were conducted by me during 1918:—
(1) A Course of twenty-five lessons in the Theory and Practice of
Physical Exercises, for the Teachers of the Senior Departments.
This Course was held at the Girls' High School and was arranged
in conformity with the requirements of the Board of Education
examination. Several pupils expressed their intention of taking