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23
10. PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The following extracts have been taken from a report submitted
to your Committee by the P.T. Organisers, Miss Hawkes and
Mr. Last:—
"Introduction.—Any regular visitor to our schools during the
past year could scarcely fail to note the disturbing effects which
the succession of international crises had upon educational progress.
The propagation of new ideas, of improvements in teaching technique
through the usual channels of teachers' courses and meetings, was
regretfully abandoned. Children in contact with worried adults
at home and at school suffer considerable, but often undetected,
emotional disturbance and distress. 'War warps the intellect and
tortures the spirit.' There is little doubt that the joyous but
disciplined activity of the Physical Training lesson did much to
divert the minds of our children from the horrors of modern warfare.
"The magnificent effort of the teachers in maintaining a high
standard of morale amongst their pupils must be acknowledged.
"Physical Education in the Schools.—The interpretation of
the detailed lessons and tables of exercises contained in the official
syllabus for Infants' and Junior Schools continues to improve.
The lessons are generally more complete and the recreative side of
the training is becoming more purposeful and truly educational,
but, as previously noted, the standard of attainment at the end of
the Junior School course varies too widely.
"The Hygiene of Physical Training.—Of the many moral
qualities developed through a comprehensive scheme of Physical
Education, surely none is of greater importance than the cultivation
of self-respect. The tremendous social experiment of evacuation
disclosed in far too many of our children a deplorable lack
of appreciation of a hygienic way of life. Physical Education,
rightly conceived and practised, would create a high regard for
personal fitness, cleanliness and general efficiency. Much more
could be done to stimulate our pupils' interest in this aspect of the
work.
"Clothes.—We are grateful for the continued provision of
plimsolls. There is an urgent need for the provision of hygienic
shoe lockers in all types of schools.
'It is now generally recognised that the value of Physical
Training is largely enhanced by a shower bath or rub down
after exercises are completed. The hygienic importance of this
procedure would, however, be largely lost if the children are
to put on again the same damp clothes as they have been
wearing for the actual exercises, and to sit in them for the
remainder of the school day.'