OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19285, 14 April 1928, Page 17

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR 07 THE PEESS. Sir,—l read with interest the letter of "Ex-Patient" oil "Open-Air Schools," and it led me to wonder if the general public are aware of the work that Dr. Blackmore has already done in connexion • with the open-air school scheme. After the Fresh Air Home for Children who were contacts of. tubercular patients had been established for some time, the Hospital Board, in conjunction with the Education Department, augmented Dr. Blackmore's preventive measures by building a veritable fresh air school in connexion with the Home. This school was built, I understand, according to Dr. Blackmore's plans, and is suited in every respect to the needs of the special class of child attending it. It is built i.. close proximity to the Fresh Air Home, so that weather conditions do not interfere with the children's attendance. The school is a flat-roofed concrete building; _three sides of vhich are composed almost entirely of glass windows. When the weather permits, and all the windows are opened, the children are .taught practically out of doors; but at all times they get the maximum of available sunshine, as the closed wall is on the south-west side of the building. Furthermore, even a covering can be dispensed with, as, sometimes, the little ones can carry their chairs up on to the roof, and can be taught there. A special feature, of the room, which is furnished with miniature tables and chairs, is its heating system. This is provided by an- attractive-looking grey marble smokeless heater, placed in the centre of the room. It is so contrived that the smoke is taken away under the floor, and the heat is diffused evenly throughout the room. „ The room is provided with an ample fer from the conditions under which supply of modern methods' material, and the pupils are being taught on up-to-dato lines, so that they do not sufthey are taught. The building commands'a magnificent view of mountain, plain, and sea. This in itself must have a broadening effect on the minds of the little children, and must surely tend to brighten their mental outlook. The school was opened in March, 1924, and since then over a hundred children have been admitted. At present between thirty and forty children of ages ranging from four to fourteen., years, are being taught under these ideal circumstances. Moreover, the children are particularly fortunate in their out-of-school environment, for, in the Fresh Air Home they are cared for in such a way that their happy and healthy appearance soon shows that this whole scheme has been worth while. It is along the sunny corridors of t-lie Home, where formerly the children were taught, that they now have their two periods of enforced rest during the day. There, on cane lounges, rows of little figures can be seen—some merely resting, whilst others are blissfully sleeping. There is evidence on all sides of Dr. Blackmore's professional knowledge and'enthusiasm, and it would fully repay those who are interested in openair schools to pay a visit to the little school on the Hills.—Yours, etc.. RETIRED TEACHER. April 13th, •