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64
The establishment of the new school will materially assist the
school medical service to combat the effect of the various conditions
enumerated in the Head Teacher's report which follows.
With a view to selecting the children most suitable to fill the
additional accommodation available, Head Teachers were circularised
in the summer requesting the names of all children whom
they considered might benefit by admission. Each child was
medically examined and assessed for admission in order of urgency
if so recommended.
Miss Thompson, the Head Teacher, reports as follows:—
"Until September the school was conducted as in former years
at the Joseph Barrett School, principally for children suffering from
orthopaedic and cardiac defects.
"On September 21st, the school was transferred to new buildings
in Hale End Road, and the basis of admission was widened.
Scholars are now admitted on the recommendation of the school
medical staff as suitable cases for open air treatment.
"The school curriculum is based on the recognition that health
considerations take precedence. The routine includes:—
1. Fortnightly medical inspections.
2. Daily mid-day dinners at a cost of 3d. each.
3. Milk, roboleine, cod liver oil, in specified cases.
4. Daily rest periods.
5. Open air conditions.
6. Bathing.
"The teaching staff, using reading, English composition, and
writing and arithmetic lessons, try to impress upon the children
the simple scientific reasons for their treatment, e.g., the older
scholars learn the principles of a well-balanced diet; how certain
foods supply heat to the body and others assist in strengthening
bones and teeth ; how cleanliness helps in eliminating waste products
through the skin; the meaning of relaxation and the restoration
that follows its application. Bight breathing is essential to get
the full benefit of open air, and daily exercises are practised.
Physical training also is given daily.
"The rest periods are observed by each class in rotation.
Children lie on one folded blanket and are covered by another for
at least half an hour daily.