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OPEN AIR EDUCATION.
Every facility is being taken by Head-teachers to teach the
children, as far as possible, in the open air when the weather is
favourable.
A marked step in furthering open air education has been made
by the construction of the new Grange School in such a way that
the front of the class-rooms can be made to open completely, converting
each into an open-air class-room. This mode of construction
is certainly a move in the right direction and is one to be
followed in the future.
SCHOOL BATHS.
At none of the schools are baths provided, but at the Public
Baths one swimming bath is set aside entirety for school children
and arrangements are made that all the children in the upper classes
can regularly attend as part of their physical training so as to be
taught the art of swimming. Advantage is taken of these facilities
and a large number of children each year obtain certificates of
proficiency. Not only are the children provided with an excellent
means of physical training and recreation but they are instructed
in the methods of life saving.
CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS.
To obtain the maximum result from medical inspection the
whole-hearted co-operation of the parents is essential. Every
encouragement, therefore, is given to the parents to be present
at the examination of their children when they can be informed
of any defects and given advice as to the treatment or the care
and supervision required. It is found that the interest of the
parents in the health of the children is becoming deeper and more
intelligent every year and is therefore a potent factor in the general
improvement in health which is so apparent. With 687 entrants,
620 parents were present at the inspection; with 1,047 intermediates,
872 were present, and with 1,043 leavers, 765 parents were present,
giving percentages of parents present as 90, 83, and 73 per cent.
respectively, or 81 per cent. for all three groups.