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124
Four schools held inter-class physical exercise competitions
during the year, and thanks are due to Miss Lancaster, of
Queen's College, Harley Street; Miss Loxdale, of Beckenham
County School; and Miss Wood, of St. Andrew's Girls' School,
who helped to judge these competitions. One Girls' School held
an athletic sports afternoon in the neighbouring recreation ground.
This was a great success, in spite of intense heat, and there
was a big attendance of parents.
Selhurst Grammar School for Girls again held an inter-form
competition, which I judged.
An innovation this year was the holding of a children's
country dance party on Saturday afternoon, October 20th. Both
halls at the Tavis-tock School were used, and girls from sixteen
senior departments were present. Owing to lack of space, it
was necessary to limit the number to two hundred, but at least
three times as many children were anxious to come. Each girl
paid 6d., and the proceeds were sent to the Fund in connection
with the Care Committees.
Twenty-nine girls' and senior mixed departments used the
Swimming Baths during the summer season; twenty-two of these
had at least one lesson each week during school hours. Here it
should be noted that although certain of the larger schools have
the use of the Baths twice weekly, no child is allowed to be
taken more than once each week at the Committee's expense.
It is still impossible to arrange for Shirley and St. Joseph's Schools
to attend for swimming, owing to the distance. The girls attending
the Unemployment Centre were granted the use of the Baths
once a week as part of the Physical Training Scheme in connection
with this class.
In the Girls' Departments the following certificates were
gained during the season:—
Croydon Elem. Schools Swimming Assoc. Cert. (30yds.) 213
London Elem. Schools Swimming Assoc. Cert. (50yds.) 173
Elementary Life-Saving Certificates 45
Advanced Life-Saving Certificates 31
Royal Life-Saving Society's Proficiency Certificates 15
Royal Life-Saving Society's Bronze Medallions 6
In one school nine girls gained medals for swimming half
a mile.
An interesting feature in the swimming returns is the steady
increase each year in the number of certificates gained. Including
the boys' returns, the numbers are as follows:—
1921. 1922. 1923.
Croydon E.S.S.A. 284 312 383
London E.S.S.A. 256 257 343
Elem. Life Saving 51 59 55
Advanced Life Saving 23 33 55
The Howard Girls' School won the Stewart Cup (team of
four under 13 years) at the L.S.S.A. Gala—the first time a
Croydon Girls' team has carried off a L.S.S.A. trophy.