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21
ST. GILES' SCHOOL FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
AND DELICATE CHILDREN
I am indebted to the Head Teacher, Miss Lambert, for the
following report:-
A year's steady work has been pursued during 1956. There was
one change of Staff on the retirement of Mr.A.C. Carter, our
much esteemed Handicraft Master, whose work has been taken over
by Mr, A. H. Nicholson.
A very welcome structural addition is the new greenhouse,
which adds much to the value of the gardening classes for the
active, and enriches the interests of the more disabled individuals.
Endeavour has continued to keep our pupils in the main stream
of educational life in the Borough.
Those of appropriate age have sat the Transfer Test and Technical
School examinations, one girl qualifying for admission to
a Grammar School and two boys to Technical Schools.
Physical Education has included normal and special activities,
football, cricket, tennis, netball, hockey and rounders.
Averages of 34 children and 5 staff attended the Swimming
Baths after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the
Summer Season, during which 31 certificates were won; 2 for ¼
mile, 4 for 220 yds., 7 for 100 yds., 7 for 50 yds. and 11 for
20 yds.
Fine weather once more favoured the Summer Sports Meeting
honoured by the presence of the Chairman of the Education Committee,
Alderman G.J. Cole and of Mrs. Cole; Councillor A.J. Lewis,
Mr. R. Wearing King, Chief Education Officer and Miss Moore,
Assistant Inspector.
Again, this year, our pupils have taken part in the Croydon
Schools' Carol and Festival Choirs; and parties of them have
attended each of the Saturday concerts of the Schools' Music
Association.
Frequent visits during school holidays have been made by
senior boys and girls with their teachers, to places of interest
and to dramatic performances.
The School Harvest Festival was a happy event following
which some of the children were able to renew their association
with the residents of an Old People's Home.
Each term conferences have been held at the school between
Parents of each pupil about to leave for employment, the Youth
Employment Officer, the attached Medical Officer, the boy or
girl concerned and the Head Teacher.
These conferences have proved most helpful in placing
"leavers" in suitable employment; though, in cases of severe
disability the follow-up has been tedious and difficult; and for
their devoted work in placing our boys and girls we are most
grateful to the Employment Officers.
During the Autumn Term we were visited by Dr.Huss, M.R.C.S.,
Ministry of Education Special Services, and Mr. Moody, H.M.I.,
and other visitors have been numerous and from many parts of the
world.
Senior girls of the Croydon High School have maintained
heir friendly association with the school and once more very