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12
Physical Exercises.
(a) Senior Schools.
The advanced schemes of physical exercises adopted
in all the Committee's Senior Schools, required but one
more year of normal progress for their full potentialities
to be realised and their true values ascertained. The
accumulative results of the previous two years could be
readily observed amongst the boys, in their increased
prowess in gymnastic work, and amongst girls, in their
improved posture and general refinement of movement.
In the hands of specially-trained teachers of both sexes,
the teaching has been vigorous and purposeful, and as their
pupils have gained in skill, previous difficulties of rhythm
and "finish" have largely disappeared.
It is extremely unfortunate that at the age of 14,
when the majority of children leave school, they are unable,
through lack of facilities, to continue those practices which
have contributed so much to their physical development
and prowess. In the Borough of Erith there is not a single
gymnasium suitably equipped for the task of carrying on
where the elementary school leaves off.
(b) Junior Schools.
Recent efforts to introduce a higher degree of definition
and precision in the Physical Training lesson for
Juniors have been well repaid. In a 20 minute lesson it
has always been a difficult task for the teacher to obtain
maximum correctness of detail, whilst, at the same time,
preserving the recreational and joyous character of the
work. In order to overcome this difficulty, the majority
of Head Teachers have increased the lesson-period to 30
minutes; they are generally agreed that results have more
than justified the change.
(c) Infant Schools.
In both Primary and Secondary Lessons a really
satisfactory improvement has been observed. It is in the
Infant Schools that the basis for all future work is laid,
and in which the results of successful teaching are so
valuable and lasting.
Of the chief aims which have been sought, good
posture, a well-trained and immediate response to signals,
and a happy and energetic reaction to teaching, were particularly
noticeable. Care in the preparation of lessons