FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3012, 18 March 1926, Page 2

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

VISIT OF DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL TRAINING.

Mr. Longworth, Director of Physical Training in connection with the public schools of the Dominion, visited Foxton District High School yesterday. During his stay he visited both the secondary and primary departments of the School, in the latter of which he witnessed all the standard classes carrying out the daily exercises set out by the Education Department for all schools throughout the country. Before leaving the school Mr. Longworth delivered an address to the teachers in which he stressed the value of physical training and exercises generally not only to growing children, but also to all members of the adult community. One particularly interesting point in his address was the importance he laid on the need for an erect posture in walking, and the benefit to the internal organs of the body of holding the head erect when standing, silting, or walking. For physical fitness in adults he strongly advocated skipping in the open air, maintaining that five minutes skipping correctly carried out was quite equal to a two mile walk.

In conversation with our representative, later, Mr. Longworth paid a high tribute to the organisation for physical training obtaining in our local school, pointing out that the time tables are so arranged that the children spend no period longer than one hour without a recess, at least two of these recesses being devoted to physical exercises in the open air, while one is a free play period. Mr. Longworth also remarked on the improvement in the general appearance and brightness of the children.

Among other matters mentioned was the need of swimming baths our town, and he was glad to learn that efforts are being put forth to obtain this most necessary adjunct to complete education and training of the young people of every community. He also paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of the headmaster (Mr Mason) in matters pertaining to the physical welfare of the children.

Another visitor to the school yesterday was Mr. Priestly, Dominion Secretary of the United Soudan Mission, who with the consent of the headmaster talked to the senior pupils on the people of the Soudan, the government of the country, its marvellous potential resources and its commercial and educational development.