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46
"Briefly, some of the most interesting observations from these
reports are:—
(1) The playground centres proved most popular with boys and
girls up to 12 years of age and Senior School girls. More
senior boys visited the park centres, but required further
facilities for the major games of football and cricket.
(2) The excellent behaviour of the children indicated by the
surprisingly small amount of apparatus broken under conditions
which made accurate control and checking almost
impossible, and the absence of disciplinary troubles,
deserve comment.
(3) Approximately 36,800 visits were made by children to the
park centres and 21,600 to the playground centres, making
a total of 58,400 visits.
(4) The interest and co-operation of parents increased throughout
the season.
(5) The need for the provision of a 'quiet corner,' with
tunities for reading, handwork and impromptu dramatics,
was felt, particularly at the playground centres.
(6) A more liberal and effective games marking service was
required in the parks.
"Special mention must be made of the excellent help given
by voluntary helpers, the majority of whom were drawn from the
women's Keep Fit classes. Their services were much appreciated
by the play leaders, and at some centres they proved particularly
useful with the younger children.
"We also wish to thank the Parks Committee and the various
members of their staff who contributed so much towards the successful
working of the scheme.
"We hope that the grim air raid preparations on the Selborne
Avenue ground will not prevent the opening of this valuable centre
next summer. In any case, further playing field accommodation
is required for children in the High Street and Mission Grove School
areas, and the acquisition of the site of the former Home Office
School would prove extremely valuable.
"8. Out-of-School Activities.—The recognition of the
necessity for enlarging the scope of physical education beyond the
narrow conception of 'physical drill' has in no small measure been
due to the untiring efforts of enthusiastic teachers to supplement
this training by the provision of facilities for the more recreative
aspects of the work, such as games, swimming and athletics out of