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20
ST. CHRISTOPHER'S SCHOOL FOR EDUCATIONALLY
SUB-NORMAL CHILDREN
Mr. Grice the Headmaster reports:-
(1) Organisation.
1961 has been another year of further lmprovenents and consolidtion
of earlier gains. The re-organisation of the school is now complete.
The kindergarten class for young children relieves Infant
schools of children who are problems, and provides an opportunity to
tackle difficulties before they become really acute. The school is
veil equipped to do this having a self-contained kindergarten unit for
kindergarten and infant classes, and a Nursery Assistant to help the
Teaching Staff in their work.
The main School is divided into Upper and Lover Schools, the division
being roughly at the 12-year level. The Lover School has static
classes, as in ordinary Primary Schools, but the Upper School provides
a full range of Specialist Subjects as well as standard work in English
and Arithmetic. The grouping of the children Is largely on an 'adjustment
basis, though some regard must of course be paid to chronological
age. 1961 has seen a narrowing of the vide range of attainment in
each class. For a variety of reasons many of the children present
problems of adjustment as well as purely educational problems. The
school is therefore concerned to a great extent with personality
development, and re-orientation, and with the family situation.Children
are encouraged to take responsibility and to develop independence as
early as possible. In addition to the Prefects, who have been
established in the Upper School, there is also a group of 'Leaders'
who. as veil as having routine responsibilities, also serve as Monitors
on a rota basis. During this period of duty they vork entirely unsupervised.
(2) Building Improvements.
Sinks have been fixed in all Junior classrooms and display boards
in every classroom. A large brick pillar was removed from the centre
of the Woodwork Room. This has not only enlarged the working space but
has made class supervision much easier. The interior of the school has
been completely redecorated.
( 3) Gardening.
In the School Gardens competition for 1961, I am pleased to report
that St. Christopher's School was awarded First Prize - The Aldernan
Mrs. Squire Cup. This is the first time that St. Christopher's has been
successful and the children were very pleased that their efforts had
been revarded.
(4) The Old Scholars Club.
Held its first Birthday Party on October 9th. The Club is
flourishing and is Invaluable as a means of keeping contact vith our
pupils after leaving school, and they themselves feel more secure as
they knov that they can always obtain re-assurance, encouragement and
advice during the difficult period of adjustment to working conditions.
I am extremely grateful to the members of my Staff who so willinglJ
give of their spare time to this Important social work.
(5) Equipment.
A film projector was received for use in the School on September
20th, and a climbing frame complete with scrambling net was received on
November 20th.