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149
III.—Special Features.
(а) The classes arranged for members of the teaching staff have
again experienced a successful year. The use at these classes of
special gymnastic apparatus has resulted, not only in the enhanced
interest of all concerned, but has rendered possible a definite expansion
of the syllabus.
(b) Arrangements were made for a rota of 16 members of the male
teaching staff, selected from the schools, to receive instruction in
organised games, the class being conducted at the Cricklefield Playing
Field on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 3 to 4 o'clock. The
course consisted of six lessons, and those who availed themselves of
the facilities provided showed a keen interest in the work and a full
appreciation of the arrangements made on their behalf.
(c) On 14th and 15th March I attended the Eleventh Annual
Conference of the National Association of Organisers of Physical
Education, held in London ; and on 9th July, at the invitation of the
Huddersfield Local Education Authority, I witnessed, at Huddersfield,
a demonstration of modern methods in physical education given by
the children attending the schools under that Authority's jurisdiction.
The demonstration was well organised and of an impressive character.
(d) All the activities of the Ilford Schools' Sports Association
continue to develop in a gratifying manner; and full evidence of this
development is clearly shown by the large number of schools arranging
athletic meetings, swimming galas, and other fixtures (e.g., in one
instance, a cross-country race was held).
(e) The Annual Athletic Meeting, organised by the same Association
and held on the Cricklefield Playing Field on Thursday, 3rd July,
again proved an eminently successful fixture. An outstanding feature
of this year's meeting was the inclusion in the programme of more team
events, resulting in a larger number of actual participants and a
correspondingly keener rivalry.
(/) During the winter season, swimming has shown further
development; and I am very gratified to be able to state that, in
addition to the boys' classes already held, five girls' schools are now
sending pupils to the baths for instruction. The popularity of this
experiment is now definitely established; and a satisfactory standard
of attendance is being maintained.
(g) During the year, cases of minor physical defect referred by the
School Medical Officer have again received attention, approved home
exercises having been advised in a number of cases. Personal instruction
at the schools was given in two instances.
(h) During July and August, I attended the vacation course held
at Eastbourne and organised by the Board of Education for Organisers
of Physical Education. The course was most interesting and
instructive.
(i) Playground and hall markings have again proved a useful
adjunct to the instruction in connection with games and agility
exercises. In addition, some further apparatus has been provided to
assist in the development of this branch of the work.