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With the co-operation of the Borough Surveyor, some of the
tennis courts in the Coronation Gardens were made available for
use during school mornings. The near-by schools were afforded the
necessary equipment, and the experiment of introducing tennis into
the organised games proved successful.
The part of the Oliver Road Playing Field (old Ballast Pit),
which had been grass sown and fenced off ready for use, would have
been brought into the general scheme for organised games after the
summer holidays had it not been for the outbreak of war.
Swimming.
In connection with the two-year course of swimming as a
recognised feature of the curriculum in top years of Junior schools
and first years of Senior schools introduced in 1938, additional
instruction was provided for the second year scholars for this season.
Voluntary Organisations.
The good work of the Schools' Football, Net Ball and Cricket
associations was continued as in previous years, and the Leyton
Schools' Sports Association again successfully held their annual
meetings. Several schools also held their individual Sports meetings.
The Leyton Schools' Swimming Association were unable to
hold their annual galas on account of the outbreak of war.
Evacuation.
Where facilities were available, physical training, including
organised games, was carried out in the full sense. In other cases
work designed to maintain and improve posture and response was
taken regularly, even under difficult conditions. The teachers are
to be congratulated on their adaptability and zeal in the strange
circumstances.
GOVERNMENT EVACUATION SCHEME.
Medical Arrangements in Reception Area.
Report by Dr. Mary Gilchrist.
There were over 4,000 children from Leyton in Essex rural areas, but this
number had fallen considerably by Christmas-time. By 31st December some
3,053 Leyton children had been medically inspected. The only districts not
visited were Chelmsford and a few isolated villages where not more than 6 children
were billeted. During that period (i.e., from 25th September to 31st December,
1939) 1,460 Essex County Council children (including some from West Ham and
Wood Green) were also examined.