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The School now provides for boys up to the age of eleven,
and those already admitted have settled down well, and have
plainly improved, both in health and spirits.
The introduction of light green movable desks and chairs has
added considerably to the brightness of the School, and the colour
provided by the warm red and blue jerseys of the girls, and the
grey jerseys of the boys, helps largely in giving it that happy
atmosphere, so necessary in the treatment of debilitated, spiritless
children.
School work necessarily at first, plays a secondary part, but
towards the end of their stay here, the benefits of fresh air, regular
and suitable meals (three meals a day are provided) quiet and
ordered rest, and insistence on personal cleanliness, are very
evident in their awakened or renewed zest for the usual childish
games and occupations, and a different attitude altogether towards
their school work. Difficulties are met and tackled, and a real
desire to learn replaces the indifference and apathy of their former
behaviour. The school garden and the activities connected with
it, play a large part in this transformation, especially in the
inculcation of self-respect, of respect for others, of self-confidence,
and of endurance.
School functions are eagerly looked forward to and thoroughly
enjoyed. A Parents' Day was held in April, to which seventy
parents came, and the "Old Girls' " re-union was well attended
in July.
Mr. J. H. Jacques, the Committee's Architect, reports on improvements
carried out during the year at the school as follows :—
The School was re-decorated and the west sides of the two
class room shelters and the Rest and Dining Rooms were enclosed
with glazed folding sashes. The interiors were re-decorated in
brighter colours, and new and improved folding desks and chairs,
coloured in green cellulose paint were provided.
(f) The Local Authority retains ten beds at the Ogilvie
School of Recovery, Clacton-on-Sea. The selected cases are
delicate girls found at Medical Inspection, or notified by the Head
Teacher to the School Medical Officer. The children are
examined prior to admission, and periodic reports are received
from the school. During the year nine girls were admitted and
ten returned, all considerably benefited.
(g) The Authority has a Residential School for 80 Boys and
60 Girls, situated at Fyfield, Ongar, Essex. This School provides
all the essentials for out-door education, comprising fresh air,
abundant food, ample rest, physical exercises and games in the
open. The children are selected by the School Medical Staff, and
examined before admission. They are also visited by the Chief
Assistant School Medical Officer once a fortnight, when all the
boys and girls are re-inspected, and height and weight noted.
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