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65
OPEN-AIR EDUCATION.
Whenever the weather is favourable playground classes are
developed and encouraged. Much can be done in the way of
open-air classes when the head-teacher is interested and the teachers
are encouraged. Open-air classes are an object lesson to the
children and whilst favouring good health they also foster in the
children a love of open-air conditions and an appreciation of its
value in the prevention of ill-health.
The Grange Schools, constructed on open-air lines so that the
classrooms can at any time, when the weather permits, have the
whole of one side completely open, are perhaps now being better
appreciated and the special facilities for open-air education are
being utilised to a greater extent. A greater use can be made of
them but the extent of this use depends on the enthusiasm of the
head-teachers. If the head-teachers lead the others are sure
to follow.
The new school at Greenford is being constructed on similar
lines. When this is in use it might be practicable, and it certainly
would be interesting, to compare the health of the children, possibly
as shown by the incidence of infectious disease, in open-air schools
and in those of the old type.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
Organised games are being developed more and more every
year. During the year a larger number of pitches in the public
parks were allotted to school children for the playing of such
games as cricket, football, netball, etc., during school hours, and
further grants for playing equipment were made.
The school children are taught swimming with great enthusiasm
by the two teachers of swimming and every encouragement is
given by the Education Committee to enable each boy or girl to be
a proficient swimmer before leaving school. The result is that a
large number of children each year receive certificates of proficiency.
This number, however, could be much increased if the school
teachers instilled into the children an interest in the art.
In addition to swimming being a means of saving life, there
is no finer exercise. Much discussion has taken place among those
interested in swimming regarding the merits and demerits of the