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National Championships taking place at The National Recreation
Centre. Some seven hundred competitors were housed in the
homes of Bromley parents and fed in one of the borough's schools.
The efficiency, welcome and quality of the service given by all
parties concerned in this complex organisation, including the
officers of Division II, the teachers of the borough, the officers of
the Education Department and particularly the staffs of the
schools involved in receiving, feeding and transporting these
seven hundred competitors was of the highest order and it must
be stated that this was the most notable achievement during the
year.
It is with the very greatest regret that the Authority has
found it necessary—during the latter part of the financial year
1968-69 and for the ensuing financial year—drastically to curtail
expenditure on swimming as an activity in the schools. In consequence,
in many schools swimming has temporarily disappeared
as a curricular activity. However, in the realisation that having
learnt to swim may in an emergency mean the difference between
life and death for an individual, the Authority has arranged,
despite its financial difficulties, to retain in its programme of
physical education arrangements under which during the financial
year 1969-70 all pupils in the fourth year of their education in
the Authority's Junior Schools will receive a course of ten weekly
lessons to teach them how to swim. Every effort will be made
by the Authority to restore swimming opportunities on the former
scale of provision as soon as the general financial situation
improves.
Canoeing
This sport continues to grow steadily, but is handicapped by
lack of water. Although there are areas of water available within
the borough for the development of water sports, other conflicting
interests have so far made it impossible for the young people in
the borough to have access to these waters for canoe and /or
sailing training. The only Slalom in Kent was again organised
by boys living in this area—a Leigh Sluice near Tonbridge.
Skiing
Many schools organise parties to visit France, Switzerland,
Austria and Germany for ski holidays. These schools prepare
young people by giving pre-ski training and additional language
lessons in order that the students may derive the greatest benefit
from the experience. Two schools who have particularly enjoyed
this form of education decided to build their own ski slope and
completed the task in time for an official opening during Education
Week by the President of the British Ski Federation. The schools
concerned were given the rare honour of being elected independent
members of that august body in recognition of their contribution
towards the sport of skiing.