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The nursery type might with advantage be divided into a
separate class to be taught all round general work, e.g., cookery
and elementary domestic work.
The Montessori system is followed as far as possible, the scholars
making their own apparatus.
The scholars are taught manual work, simple metal work, raffia,
housework, gardening, carpentery, and boot repairing.
The Head Teacher selects the pupils for their subjects according
to their mental suitability. Good dinners are supplied at the
School at the cost of 3d. per head.
The children are conveyed on the Council's trams free of charge
and are met at all points by the Attendance Officers.
At their annual Christmas Tree, exhibitions of dancing and
singing were given which reflected great credit on their teachers.
All cases are certified by the School Medical Officer before
admission.
Family history is in a number of the cases, low grade, several
members of the same family attending the school.
There is a voluntary After-Care Committee, which, assisted by the
Head Teacher, follows up cases after leaving school.
There would not be much difficulty in finding employment for
these children under 16, but after that age they are usually only
engaged for casual work.
Physically Defective Centre.—This Centre was opened in 1924,
a part of the Infant's Department, at Joseph Barrett School, being
used for the purpose.—The staff consists of a head teacher, two
assistant teachers, one nurse, two masseuses, and an ambulance
driver.
The number of children on the register on December 31st, 1925,
was 75, 42 being admitted during the year.
A dining-room and kitchen was built during the year, giving
more space for class and exercise rooms.
A midday meal is served on the premises under the supervision
of the Head Teacher.
Mr. Whitchurch Howell, F.R.C.S., who has the surgical care
of the children, holds two clinics monthly, one at Joseph Barrett