NRS-627 | National School returns

These are manuscript National School returns compiled by Local Patrons in reply to the Board's circular No.26 (dated 15 February 1859) in pursuance of an Order of the Legislative Assembly, dated 24 November 1858, that "there shall be laid upon the table of this House, a (tabulated) Return from all Schools in New South Wales, wholly or partly maintained by Public Funds". Each return supplies the following information: location of school; construction materials and condition of building; dimension of building and classrooms; average number of children attending (both male and female); maximum and minimum ages of pupils; number of classes and hours of instruction; number of children in the district between the ages of five and fifteen not normally attending the National School; amount of school fees received (for the twelve months ending 30 September 1858) and fees charged "to each pupil"; moneys received from other sources (which were to be specified) towards the support of the school; average annual cost of education per pupil; list of subjects taught to each class and teaching apparatus employed; names, ages and dates of appointment of teaching staff (teachers, assistant teachers, and pupil-teachers); qualifications of teachers (name of training institution, time in training, classification, teaching experience and previous occupation "if not trained as a teacher"); salaries and fees received by each officer; and details of religious or moral instruction given.(1/367 part; microfilm copy SR Reel 1797). 1 vol (part). Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.