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298
Girls.
The renewed emphasis on the value of Physical Training, due
to the public interest created by the Physical Training and
Recreation Act, 1937, has had its effect on the work in the Schools
where enthusiasm and efficiency have been maintained.
The supply of a certain number of plimsolls for use in Physical
Training lessons by children who are unable to provide their own,
has continued to be a valuable and much appreciated means of
maintaining efficiency and ensuring safety in the physical training
lessons. It is hoped to equip all Senior girls who are in need of
assistance with shorts in the near future. In spite of lack of
changing room accommodation in many of the Schools, it is
encouraging to note that the majority of Senior scholars (also many
in Junior Departments) now make every effort to wear suitable
clothing for physical exercises and the standard of training improves
accordingly.
Swimming continues to be one of the most valuable and popular
branches of Physical Education, and all Central, Senior and Junior
Departments, with one exception, sent classes of girls to the Baths
during the summer season. Only Senior Departments were
included in the winter swimming time-table but this privilege may
probably be extended to Junior Departments, as it is found that
the scholars from these departments are very keen to continue
swimming throughout the year. Particular mention must be made
of the work of the teachers out of school hours, when—Winter and
Summer—scholars and teachers voluntarily attend the Baths in
large numbers and full use is made of the Gift Tickets and Winter
admission privileges granted by the Baths Committee. Twenty-one
girls' departments held Swimming Galas in addition to taking part
in the Inter-Schools Gala in July.
Continued use was made of the Playing Fields and Recreation
Ground accommodation throughout the Borough, both for the
regular organised games' lessons and also for Sports afternoons.
Thirty-five schools held their own school Sports afternoons and,
m addition, twenty-five arranged Physical Training Displays, Polk
Dancing Demonstrations and Inter-House Games Tournaments.
The various Folk Dance parties, etc., arranged by the Folk
Dance section of the Croydon Schools Sports Association and by
the East Surrey Branch of the English Folk Dance and Song
Society were well supported as usual. These included an Open