PHYSICAL FITNESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24826, 28 January 1942, Page 4

PHYSICAL FITNESS

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS WORK IN THE SCHOOLS (P.A. HAMILTON, Jan. 27. The Minister of Education, Mr H. G. R. Mason, yesterday visited schools in the Cambridge district and called at St. Peter’s School to make firsthand observations of the refresher course in progress there for the physical instructors attached to the Department of Education. For the past fortnight 60 instructors and students have been engaged in physical training activities under the charge of Mr P. G. Smithells, Director of Physical Training, and Mr K. Reid, physical training instructor at the Auckland Training College. Interviewed after his visit, the Minister expressed gratification at the high standard of the work achieved and' said that physical training for New Zealand schools was covered in all its aspects, including particularly remedial work designed to overcome any physical defects in the growing child.

“ I have been particularly impressed by the care and attention which have been devoted to this side of the work, which I regard as being of immense importance if we are to have a phy-sically-fit nation in the future,” the Minister said. “ Moreover, the authorities responsible for the refresher school have drawn considerably on the games and exercises of old-time Maoris which have a particular value, not always to be found in the European curricula. “I should also like to commend the students and instructors whom I saw at work for their zeal and enthusiasm,” Mr Mason continued. “It is a matter for regret that calls on man-power in the present emergency did not permit of more male physical instructors taking part. The majority of the 60 present at the course were young women.”