"School closed at 4.15 on account of Hackney Schools' Swimming Association Competition".
The history of swimming in Hackney schools goes almost as far back as the Athletic Association itself. Formerly the Hackney Schools' Swimming Association, it was well established by 1900. Many of the swimming trophies still in existance today, and kept by the Association, date back to this time. The Boys Primary Diving Shield goes back to 1906, while the Girls Primary Diving Cup, the Gammage Cup, (of shop fame perhaps?) was first presented in 1903 when it was won by Rushmore School. The cup itself is in solid silver and elaborately engraved, a testiment to the importance placed on competitive sport in those days.
Certificates
The practice of rewarding excellence in swimming, probably predates the organisation of the annual gala. Evidence once again, comes from the very informative log book of Daubeney Junior School:
"September 5th 1895 - 10 boys qualified for certificates for the 100 yards and 24 boys for the 20 yards".
It is interesting to note that the London School Board even conducted swimming tests for every school;
November 25th 1898 "Distributed 50 certificates granted by the London School Board for passing in the swimming test".
Even in those far off days, certificates were issued by the H.S.S.A Some of these were later superceded by the introduction of L.S.S.A certificates, but since the withdrawal from the L.S.S.A we now distribute our own certificates, just as we did over 100 years ago. The certificates are for 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000 metres and are obviously held in high regard by Hackney Schools, judging by the fact that over 1000 certificates are distributed every year.
One final note on the value of swimming instruction comes from the Daubeney School Log Book, dated October 31st 1898:
"Certificate from the Royal Humane Society to Percy Jones (standard VI) who dived into 12 feet of water in the Lea and brought a girl of 11 years safely to land".
