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Twenty-four Girls' Departments entered for the swimming
gala arranged by the C.E.S.S.A.-—195 girls competing. Many
schools also held swimming galas of their own. Again, I would
testify to the valuable help in swimming given by the teachers
generally, and also to the work of the Croydon Elementary
Schools Swimming Association, which has done—and is doing—
so much to help forward this subject.
In connection with organised games in recreation grounds,
Standards 6-7 of sixteen Girls' and Senior Mixed Departments
have visited the recreation grounds for this purpose. The comparatively
small number of schools using the recreation grounds
is due to the fact that many of the schools lie at too great a
distance from any ground to be able to take advantage of this
privilege. The games played are rounders, captain ball, netball,
stoolball, and, in a few cases, cricket. Rounders, according
to the rules of the Ling Association, has proved the most
popular game, as little equipment is necessary, and several teams
can be arranged for at one time. Netball is also taken; this
game is played chiefly after school hours, as the space which it
takes up, in proportion to the number playing, is incompatible
with the rule that every girl in the class must take part in the
organised games lesson.
Here I must bear testimony to the enthusiastic and valuable
work of those who teach netball and who give so much time out
of school hours to coaching for this game. The netball section
of the Croydon Elementary Schools Athletic Association held its
annual tournament in March, nineteen girls' schools taking part.
Twenty schools are in the Netball League, and each school played
six League matches during the season, besides numerous friendly
ones. Twenty-seven girls' and senior mixed schools played
netball; those not in the League found it impossible, for various
reasons, to play the requisite number of matches.
The following courses and demonstrations were arranged
during the year:—
1.—-In February a demonstration of physical exercises,
games and dances to which all teachers in Senior Mixed, Girls',
Junior Mixed and Infants' Schools were invited. This demonstration
was held at the Tavistock School, and the request for
tickets was such that some applicants had to be refused.
2.—A short course of physical training for teachers in
Infants' Schools. This course was well attended also.
3.—A course of six lessons in the organisation of swimming
lessons was arranged for the summer term, Mrs. Aus':in, of the
Amateur Swimming Association, kindly undertaking to conduct
it. Unfortunately, after one lesson, Mrs. Austin was taken ill,
and the course had to be abandoned..
4.—In preparation for the children's country dance party,
Miss Meikle, of the English Folk Dance Society, kindly conducted
a practice for all teachers interested, at the Tavistock Schools.