“Perfect Physical Education”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 2

“Perfect Physical Education”

Ballet is the perfect form of physical education, according' to a Royal Academy of Dancing Scholarship teacher, Miss Mary Deverson, who is conducting children’s ballet examinations in the city at present

“Ballet uses every part of the body, teaches alertness of mind and perfect co-ordina-tion," she said yesterday. “It also brings a knowledge of other countries, a history of costume, the art of mime and gesture, and an appreciation of music, besides an understanding of classical ballet.” Miss Deverson has been interested in ballet all her life. She started learning at an early age and has been teaching for 35 years. She has been a member of the panel

of children's examiners for 18 years. She thinks ballet can be' extremely useful for boys if properly taught as a boys’ subject. “It helps them in athletics and teaches them to be more nimble than ordinary physical activities.” “There is a dose link between the Royil Academy of Dancing and the British Athletic Association in working out a scheme of. training to help athletes, especially with jumping,” said Miss Deverson. ■ “I know there are some very talented male dancers in New Zealand, and it would be

a great pity to lose them through the wrong attitude of the country.” Miss Deverson said she had seen some very good little girls and some excellent work while she had been examining in New Zealand. “I think the standard is as high as it is in most countries,” she said. Miss Deverson will be examining children’s ballet in New Zealand for six months before she returns to her own ballet school in London.