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the Annual Galas under the exceptionally difficult conditions of
'crisis' week deserve high praise. These functions did much to
preserve the morale of the children during those critical days.
"We would call your attention particularly to the excellent
record of successes in the Royal Life Saving Society's examinations.
The arduous work of preparing the children for this work is carried
out very efficiently by the specialist swimming instructors. There
is no need to emphasise the value of this important work, but it
gives us great pleasure to record that a girl attending one of your
Senior Schools was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Medal
for saving a child from drowning during the summer holidays.
"7. Play Centres.—As a result of the successful operation
of the two experimental centres opened at the Blackhorse Road
and Wood Street Schools in 1937, the scheme was extended to
include the following centres:—
Playgrounds. Parks and Recreation Grounds.
Blackhorse Road School. Aveling Park.
Chapel End School. Higham Hill.
Wood Street School. St. James' Park.
Selwyn Avenue School. Selborne Road.
"The playgrounds were opened for two hours on three evenings
and the parks on two evenings per week from Easter until the end
of summer time, excluding the summer holidays. One Play Leader
(man) was appointed to each playground centre, and one man and
one woman to each park centre. The staff undertook the work
with a genuine desire to render useful social service, and after a
preliminary meeting with the Organisers of Physical Training all
agreed to attend special courses in play leadership, conducted in
London by the Central Council for Recreative Physical Training.
Some of these teachers also gave active assistance in the organisation
of a large National Demonstration of Play Leadership in Regents
Park. Frequent visits were paid to these centres throughout the
season, and whilst some were more successful than others, and
many difficulties have yet to be overcome, we are pleased to report
that the centres served a very useful purpose, were much appreciated
by children and parents, and should be continued and, if possible,
extended.
"Important data, such as attendances, accidents, loss or
breakage of apparatus, were recorded on a special form and posted
to the Education Office at the conclusion of each meeting. These
records contained much useful information and, together with the
final reports submitted by the Leaders, should do much to improve
the efficiency of the scheme.