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99
of the many" must always be guarded against. In order to
improve the standard of play it has been decided to take advantage
of the Football Association Coaching Scheme. Interested
Head Teachers were asked to make formal application for a
coach to visit the school, and the response has been excellent.
Arrangements .are now being made for coaching visits to be fulfilled
towards the end of fhe Easter term.
In the same way we hope to take full advantage of the
national coaching schemes for Hockey, Tennis and Cricket when
conditions allow.
Playground surfaces are, on the whole, recovering their prewar
standard. Head Teachers are grateful for the help and
assistance of planned markings.
Swimming.—As an exercise, swimming claims advantages
over all others; unequalled as a method of attaining physical
development, its practice inculcates a love of cleanliness,
develops self-reliance and control, and induces a brighter mental
outlook. Such qualities are of sufficient importance to justify
the inclusion of swimming in any school curriculum. This being
so, it would appear necessary for sufficient provision to be made
to allow the maximum number of children to receive tuition.
As an area we enjoy comparatively good facilities for
physical education. However, surveying the needs of the schools
in connection with possible demands for swimming instruction,
we are faced with the problem of a serious shortage of accommodation.
Only a small section of Secondary School children are
able to receive instruction, and an almost negligible number of
Primary School children are able to benefit.
The kindly co-operation of the Bath's Department is
acknowledged and fully appreciated. Requests for accommodation
are met whenever possible, and facilities are used to their
fullest extent. However, until we have a closed swimming bath
in the town, with possibly arrangements for a teaching bath in
addition to the normal public swimming bath, the standard of
swimming is bound to be much below what one could hope it
to be given better opportunity.
This year we experienced a first successful season of winter
swimming for older children. Junior schools had an introduction
to class swimming in that two classes of girls and two classes of
boys were able to be instructed at a privately owned bath in the
area. Successful results were forthcoming, and it is hoped to
extend this privilege during the coming year to the top classes
of several Primary Departments.