FROM AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 10

FROM AMERICA.

"NEW "PHYSICAL JERKS." UNIVERSAL NEXT YEAR. TEXT BOOK IN PREPARATION. Recently the "Star" published an ■ article describing with illustrations the new system: of physical training which is, being conducted experimentally in three of the Auckland schools. Now it is learned that our' whole educational system is to be given not only a new agricultural f' bias; but also a new physical training one. For several years New.. Zealand has devoted special attention to the physical well-being of its school population, and the results have been in every way gratifying. In an "Official report published over a year ago, one of the school medical officers quoted statistics to show that, largely as the result of our system of physical instruction, the children, of the Dominion were, in. bodily development, the finest specimens which the world had produced. Evidently the authorities are not satisfied even with this state of affairs, for now, it is understood, a new or revised system is about to be introduced into our schools, where it will completely replace the present one. A new "book" is in course of preparation, and it, like . the one now used by teachers, will lay down a definite progressive course of exercises to be followed. The new scheme of physical instruction concerns itself particularly with posture, and aims at the eradication of flat feet," and all the ills which are alleged to come in their train. Pew of the Auckland teachers are acquainted •with the new scheme of exercises, and it is quite possible that before these are adopted there will be refresher courses for instructors. Teachers do not anticipate that the new exercises will be adopted this year. It is *>f interest td knpw tfertr the new §ystem < of physical training which*..the Education Department proposes to adopt i 3 what one schoolmaster described as " a hundred per cent American." Its methods and results were first demon6trated by Dr. G. Goldthwaite, of Boston, an <i the system is in general operation in the United States.