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Our blind boy is now completely toilet trained and several others are well on the way to
good habits. We were also able to take in one very helpless spastic and several known
difficult cases. It is certainly a very very hard work group but a most worthwhile one.
The teaching staff and Welfare Assistant can and do see visible results from their efforts
and time.
The year began with 60 children on the register and finished with 73 children, making
one of the largest totals of new children over the years. One boy died, one boy went to South
Ockendon, two boys are on trial at work and one girl is also at work; one child, after a very
brief trial, went to the Elizabeth Pry School.
Owing to petrol rationing in the early part of the year, the outing was postponed until
September and although the weather was not very kind, it was a really enjoyable day at Grange
Farm, Chigwell, Essex, because of the exceptional hospitality of the Warden and his wife, who
did everything possible to make the day a success.
There was a most interesting set of students who spent various amounts of time in
either observation or practical work at the Centre. They came from Canada, Australia, Poland,
India, as well as from the British Isles. We also made active contact with our own E.S.N.
School and several of their staff at their own request paid us visits of observation following
our visit to the Open Evening Session which we enjoyed very much.
The usual Open Days of observation for parents and friends were held. The Christmas
festivities included a "sale of handiwork" and a show given by the children, which was attended
by the Mayor and many of the members and officers of the Council - this interest is most
encouraging and helpful to the staff of the Centre.
There was one unusual addition to the establishment although the name does not appear
on the Register. One Group acquired a young guinea-pig called "Scurry". The Senior Boys made
his playpen and house and the children take a great interest in his feeding and cleaning and
Scurry, on his part, is very talkative if he feels in any way left out of lessons. A Golden
Hamster is at present on order for another group and one real old stager Is "Dandle", the
budgerigar, who will be eight years old this summer. It is felt that this simple training
in animal and pet care has great value outside for the children then have a real interest if
and when pets appear at home.
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