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Action under Article 20(B). (exclusion of individual children)
At medical inspection 14
At schorl clinics 1277
Action under Article 22 (School Closure) Nil
Action under Article 23(B) (i.e., attendance below 60% of number
on Register) Not operative.
9. OPEN AIR EDUCATION.
Sohool Journeys and Camps. There were none during the year.
Swimming. Swimming instruction was given throughout the season to
boys and girls.
10. PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The following extracts are taken from a report on Physical
Education in the schorls compiled by the Organisers of Physical
Education, and already submitted to your Committee -
"The post of Woman Organiser of Physical Education which had
been vaeant since Miss Hawkes was granted leave of absence in
August 1941 was filled in May by the appointment of Miss K.M.Couper,
"Vital capacity tests using a Spirometer were carried out at
the Central and at some of the senior schools. These tests aroused
considerable interest in the importance and functioning of the
respiratory system and the results compared very favourably with
similar tests carried out in other areas. Cases of faulty
breathing habits were discovered and remedial exercises recommended,
Considerable interest was also shown in the use of a special "posture
recorder" hired from the Ling Physical Education Association and a
similar piece of apparatus has since been made at one of the senior
schools. The recorder graphically revealed the influence of
continued sitting upon the maintenance of good posture and
demonstrated the consequent effect on normal skeletal growth and
correct physiological functioning of the vital organs resulting in a
lowering of vitality and a heightening of stupidity. During the
course of these respiratory and postural tests it was encouraging to
note the very beneficial effects of the expansion of the milk and
meals scheme upon general nutrition.
Clothing and shoes - The good quality of gymnastic shoe in use
before the war had a life of about two and a half years, but some of
the very inadequate supply of utility shoes allocated to us during
the past year have not lasted three months. It has become necessary
to revert to the undesirable practice of making one pair of shoes
serve the needs of two or three children and "even so, there is already
a serious shortage in the most popular sizes. One senior girls school
has experimented in making rope soled shoes and has produced a very
attractive and, we hope, useful pattern.
It is quite unnecessary to stress the obvious difficulties
concerning the supply of special physical training clothing, and in
many cases the inability to continue the pre-war hygienic habits with
regard to the changing of clothes has in itself done much to lower
standard and detract from the value and enjoyment of the work. It
should be noted however that where shower baths are provided, as at
the Central schools, an excellent hygienic standard has been
maintained in spite of the added difficulty or providing towels.
Teachers' Class - A successful class for women teachers in Junior
schools was conducted by Miss K.M.Couper at the Chapel End School
during the Autumn Term.
14.