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182
Staff
Headmaster
Deputy Head
7 Assistant Teachers (full-time)
1 House-Craft Teacher (part-time)
3 House Mothers (1 full-time and 2 part-time)
Twelve girls and five boys left the school during the year (7 at
Easter, 10 in the Summer) and an interesting variety of jobs was
obtained: as assistants in stores, canteens and super-markets,
assembly work in factories, a trainee machinist, a trainee nurseryman
and an apprentice hairdresser.
Every child is medically examined annually as a routine and
there are special examinations for all school leavers and for those
referred by the Staff for a number of reasons.
Routine skin tests were carried out on fourteen pupils. Of
these, 5 were positive, 3 having received previous vaccination and
2 were referred and followed up by the Chest Clinic. The remaining
9 received B.C.G. vaccination.
The Speech Therapist attends weekly and guides the Staff in
therapeutic work and in language development in the class-rooms.
Three more autistic children have been admitted to the school
and now there are nine of these spread throughout the school
gaining confidence and becoming increasingly aware of what is
happening around them. For this pioneer scheme of integrating
the autistic children, an observation unit would be a great asset
and a step forward in learning about their activities.
The heated swimming pool at the school is used for nearly
7 months in the year and all the children have the opportunity of
at least one swimming period each week.
Six children learned to swim during 1967 and five girls
improved their strokes and ability to swim by doing one length
(25 feet).
Many are now able to visit public swimming baths as the
result of learning or nearly learning to swim in the school pool.
Confidence gained in the water is reflected in their other activities
and self-reliance and self-confidence are increased.
To extend the length of the swimming season, a special effort
to raise money for a cover building took the form of an exhibition
and rally of veteran and vintage cars in the school playground.
Through the activities of the St. Nicholas Association, the St.
Nicholas Club (for seniors and ex-pupils) enjoy ballroom dancing
in school, and the members make friends and learn to adjust
socially as well as in the fields of learning and achievement.