GIRLS OF OTHER LANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 5

GIRLS OF OTHER LANDS

PHYSIQUE AND HEALTH " SPOON-FED " AMERICANS Admiration for the physique of young girls in Germany was expressed by. Miss Janet Cotton, physical culture mistress at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble, New South Wales, who arrived in Australia recently. Miss Cotton described the young German girls as "fine specimens." Walking and dancing, she said, played an important* part in their physical education, and at their disposal were large playing fields and swimming pools, surrounded by grassy slopes for spectators. i Miss Cotton studied physiological and remedial physical education methods in America and Europe. In the United States she' visited 25 remedial schools and universities and found that they were conducted on similar lines to those in Australia. The training given is based on the results of entrance examinations and, except in the wealthier institutions, it is theoretical. ... Mills College, San Francisco, said Miss Cotton,-had both a Greek and a woodland theatre, a riding school and swimming pools, and much money was spent on equipment. Sterilised swimming costumes were compulsory at many of the pools in the private and high schools and were distributed free to the pupils, fresh costumes and towels being supplied nf more than one swim was taken during the day. Miss Cotton found that few American girls continued their sporting activities after leaving school, where they were ""spoon-fed." At most American schools far too much emphasis was laid on the necessity/ for teams to win, whereas in England competitive team games were played more for their value in promoting physical fitness. English schools also devoted more time than Australian schools did to physical culture periods, which were conducted daily, and not two or three times a week. Although not as venturesome as the American in methods, the English schools wero more solid and impressed her more.