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168
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Introduction
This is the first report presented to the Medical Officer on the
state of physical education in the new London Borough of Bromley,
and therefore, it is reasonable to say something of what is meant
by the words physical education. Physical education is not one
subject, but rather a collection of many separate games and pursuits
each requiring the mastery of many skills in order that the player
enjoys to the full the participation in that activity. Each game in
the end is capable of leading the youngster into a full life in which
he or she understands and values friendship, the opposition of an
opponent and learns to evaluate the other person's contribution on
the field; a little world bounded or dominated by a line where law
is seen to exist, a law recognised as absolute by all who take part.
Teachers of physical education know that only when young
people are reasonably proficient in the basic skills can the rich
enjoyment of friendly competition be added to their lives. Achieving
a best performance on the track or in the swimming bath, or
perfecting the ability to play a game, is no chance happening to be
dismissed as some gift of birth. These are the results of hours and
years of arduous practice and training in which the whole body,
mind and spirit are involved. This training can have the same
effect on the person as the development that accrues through the
pursuit of knowledge, the effort to master the playing of an
instrument, the struggle to paint a picture. Renee Maheu, DirectorGeneral
of U.N.E.S.C.O. in a recent speech in London made the
following statement:—
"Sport is art, is science, is culture and perhaps for
the ordinary man in the street is the only way in which
he learns to appreciate beauty".
This report is presented in the hope that the work done by all
those dedicated teachers of physical education shall be given the
credit that is their due for seeking to bring through participation
in archery, athletics, basketball, badminton, canoeing, climbing,
cricket, cross-country running, dancing, diving, fencing, gymnastics,
hockey, judo, life saving, lacrosse, mountaineering, netball,
orienteering, sailing, ski-ing, soccer, swimming, rugby, table tennis,
lawn tennis, trampolining, volleyball, water polo and weight
training. It is their hope that, from this wide field, the young
novice will find one activity to develop so that, in the mastery of
the activity of his choice, he may gain the social understanding
and camaraderie that unites players all over the world.
Swimming
Two separate swimming organisations in the new Borough
affiliated to the Kent Schools Swimming Association have now
agreed to a joint committee which will, in conjunction with the