New Foundations, 1921, page 9

 

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CHAPTER II. THE DAILY ROUND. The day starts at seven with the bell, and by half-past a number of children are downstairs to fulfil certain duties. Some get the dining room ready for breakfast, arrange the chairs, and carry in cocoa and porridge and bread and butter. Some are responsible for the supply of logs and firewood, and in the winter months this is no light task. Others have work to do in the farmyard before eight o clock. After breakfast the babies have games and singing, while the older ones go for a run. Study is from nine till twelve. During the morning, however, the greater part of the work of the house requires to he done, and two children are appointed to help with the dusting and sweeping, while a third child helps in the kitchen. House work is allotted in fortnightly shifts, so that the older children have a fortnight each during the term. From twelve till half-past is playtime. The farm children give the mid-day feed to the animals in their charge, and the outdoor workers are usually besieged by requests for jobs. Dinner is at a quarter to one. Children again help to get the meal, and to wash up when it is over. After dinner there is a period of quiet reading for the senior children, and some more study before they go out to their games, net-hall or rounders. The younger ones have free play and then organized games and stories. Tea is at half-past four, and from five till bed-time is given up to various crafts, designing, drawing, and needlework. Cooking and carpentering lessons are given twice a week, and both are deservedly popular. Sometimes there is folk-dancing or games for everyone in the dining room, and on other nights the children amuse themselves quietly with dolls, card games, or letter writing. At a quarter past six the first bed-time hell rings, and everyone is busy until the dormitories are closed down at eight. After bathing comes reading; each dormitory has its own book, and a grown-up person to read it aloud. Reading at the Community always means discussion. The grown-up person is frequently interrupted hy “ Do you think that was right? “Would you have done that?” This hour is a very precious one for the insight it gives into the working of the children’s minds. They are for the most part very willing to talk, and anxious to think things out for themselves. The five oldest children, the members of the Senior Study, go to the Directors’ sitting room to have a more advanced book read to them. It is a time of close unfettered intimacy and peace, and gives the older children that sense of privilege which is so valuable, and a pleasant companionship with the grown-ups after the younger ones are in bed. Saturday is a whole holiday, but it is nevertheless a very busy day. After breakfast, an assembly of the whole school is held, at which any child may bring forward any grievance and have it discussed and dealt