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First, they have the direct physical value, and in many cases keep the
child in the open-air again they have considerable educational
possibility in the training of character and the qualities which
make for useful citizenship, such as healthy rivalry, co-operation,
courage, endurance, public spirit, fair play, loyalty and working together
in groups; lastly, many of these activities provide lasting interests
for leisure hours in after life, which in itself may prove to be an
effective agency of health and strength. With the shortening of the
hours of labour this question of the healthy occupation of leisure is of
the utmost importance."
Many schools are now using the team system as suggested in the
Syllabus in all physical training lessons, especially games, and the
co-operative spirit resulting is most encouraging, and is felt not only in
the physical training but in the general curriculum of the school also.
During the summer months I arranged a course of six lessons in
games for the teachers of the senior departments. The games practised
were mostly those mentioned in the Board of Education pamphlet
"Suggestions in regard to Games." The class, which was a large one,
(nearly 80 teachers attending) was held in the playground of Tavistock
Grove Schools.
The decision of the Committee that swimming be included in the
subjects of the time-table brought this subject under my direct
organisation for the first time in 1920. It was found possible, under
these new conditions to relieve the congestion at the Baths caused by
several schools having to attend at the same time, and thus to make
conditions for the teaching of this subject much easier. As permission
to use the Baths in school hours was not given till the season had
already commenced it was not possible to do all that was advisable,
but, in conjunction with the Inspector, I am hopeful that the organisation
of swimming may be complete for the season of 1921.
Owing to the courtesy and help of the Amateur Swimming
Association I was able to arrange a course of six lesions for the
teachers of the girls' departments on the Organisation of Swimming
Lessons on the lines of their new Handbook of Swimming Instruction
—the method recommended by the Board of Education in the Syllabus
of Physical Training. As the Baths were only available for this course
during school hours, permission was granted by the Committee for one
teacher from each Senior, Mixed and Girls' departments to attend for
six lessons in school hours. Mrs Austin, Hon. Secretary of the
Southern District Kducation Committee of the Amateur Swimming
Association, most generously gave her services for this course which
proved a most helpful. one. At the request of the local Secretary of
the N.U.T. a second course, out of school hours, was arranged, but as
the Baths were not available for such a course during the summer
season it was not started until the weather was cold and unsettled, and
after three lessons it was decided to postpone the rest of the course till
the spring.
Four teachers holding the diploma of Reading Physical Training
College are now working in the Elementary Schools with marked
success. It has not been found possible, owing to staffing and other
difficulties, to make them responsible for the entire physical training of
the departments in which they are working, but they are taking as