NRS-21775 | Observation book [Cessnock South Public School]

The purpose of the observation book was for the Inspector to record general remarks about the management of the school, the relationships and discipline within it and the range and effectiveness of the teaching. The Regulations under the Public Schools Act, 1866 noted; “The Inspector's remarks upon the state of the school visited by him, will be entered in the “Observation Book” of the school, which, as a School Record should be carefully preserved. Entries therein are not to be erased or altered.” (Regulations adopted by the Council of Education on 27 February 1867 s.83.)The majority of entries made in this volume are entered on a specifically designed form, which is then pasted into the observation book. The form details the school and the inspection date, which was normally only once a year. The form is divided into three main areas: organisation, government and instruction.The ‘organisation’ section pertains to the school’s equipment, beautification programs, staff direction, records, educational agencies, smoothness and effectiveness of general management, and the standing of the school in relation to the general community.‘Government’ comments on relations between staff and students, effectiveness of discipline in fostering ideals of conduct and stimulating independent thought and activity, and the socialising influence of the school on its pupils.‘Instruction’, or general survey which evaluates the co-ordination of lesson courses, preparation, general speech-training, teaching methods and their effectiveness in promoting intellectual growth and development, and an appreciation of the higher cultural values.

本视察日志簿（Observation Book）的设立初衷，是供学校视察员记录关于学校管理、校内人际关系与纪律状况，以及教学范畴与教学实效的一般性评述。《1866年公立学校法案》项下的相关规程明确规定：“视察员针对其所视察学校的现状所作出的评述，需录入该校的《视察日志簿》；该日志簿作为学校档案（School Record），应得到妥善保管，其中的录入内容不得擦除或篡改。”（该规程由教育委员会于1867年2月27日通过，第83条。）本日志簿中的绝大多数录入项，均先填写于专门设计的制式表格中，再将表格粘贴至日志簿内。该表格详细列明学校信息与视察日期——此类视察通常每年仅开展一次。表格主要分为三大板块：办学组织（organisation）、校务治理（government）与教学实施（instruction）。「办学组织（organisation）」板块涵盖学校设施配置、美化工程、教职工管理、档案留存、教育机构协作、整体管理的顺畅性与实效性，以及学校在周边社区中的办学声誉。「校务治理（government）」板块则针对师生关系、纪律规范在培育行为理念与激发独立思考与自主活动方面的实效，以及学校对学生的社会化影响进行评述。「教学实施（instruction）」板块，即综合性调研环节，用于评估课程体系的协调性、备课情况、通用言语训练、教学方法，以及其在促进学生智力成长与发展、提升对高阶文化价值的认知方面的实际效果。