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20G
The Croydon Schools Athletic Association has continued its
excellent work in organising and supervising games, swimming,
and general athletics, out of school hours. This voluntary work
is worthy of the highest praise.
Girls.
During the year 1932 no changes involving large expenditure
or upheaval of existing schemes of Physical Training have taken
place, but the time has been spent in stabilising the schemes
already in being and ensuring that the progress made in previous
years has been maintained, in spite of difficulties, financial or
otherwise.
The wearing of gymnastic shoes for physical training lessons
is now almost universal in the Senior Schools and in many of the
Junior Schools. The number of classes in which girls discard
tunics and stockings for physical exercises is increasing, and the
freedom thus attained results in better positions and hygienic conditions
generally. Girls from 41 departments—Central, Senior
Mixed, Senior Girls, Junior Girls, and Junior Mixed—attended
the Swimming Baths during the season {i.e., May to October) and
743 girls learned to swim for the first time. There was an increase
in the number of all swimming certificates gained.
The Central Schools do not enter girls for the competitions
and trophies of the various sections of the Crovdon Schools
Athletic Association, but in all branches of Physical Education,
especially Swimming, Netball, Folk Dancing and Athletics, the
standard reached by them is a high one.
The use of the Recreation Grounds and Playing Fields for
organised games lessons was continued throughout the summer
season. The condition of the playing fields attached to certain
schools has improved very much during the year, and the regular
cutting, rolling, and marking, of these grounds will be of great
value.
Eighteen schools report that training in Athletics is carried
on throughout the year and not only for a short intensive period
before the school sports. This ensures that coaching is available
for every child and is arranged in co-operation with the general
physical training scheme.
Corrective classes, for the special treatment of cases of faulty
posture have been continued in seven schools.