NRS-16847 | Visitors' Book [Heatherdale Public School]

The Public Instruction Act, 1866 authorised special religious instruction by visiting clergymen and their delegates (Public Schools Act, 1866, s. 19), and regulations under the Act authorised members of the public to visit schools during ‘the hours of secular instruction’ to observe teaching methods, teaching material and equipment (Regulations adopted by the Council of Education on 27 February 1867, s. 84-85). The regulations required every teacher to keep a visitors’ book ‘in which visitors may enter their names and if they think proper any remarks. Such remarks the Teachers are by no means to erase or alter.’ (Regulations … s. 86).The purpose of the visitors’ book was to create a record of the persons other than pupils or teachers who attended the school during business hours. Visitors’ books were divided into three columns – date, name and remarks. The remarks usually recorded the purpose of the visit which included religious instruction (by far the most usual purpose for visiting a school), school inspection, medical inspection, departmental officers visiting on business e.g. to inspect the buildings or equipment, and guest speakers. Occasionally visitors (particularly Inspectors) remarked briefly on the conduct or the ambience of the school.Clergymen and their representatives from the Church of England and from the Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches are regularly represented throughout this whole period. From 1935 to 1943, and again in 1960, however, the most frequent signature is that of the visiting instructress in sewing. The school also enjoyed the services of a range of guest speakers, several being visitors from overseas, on subjects ranging from nursing to temperance. The signatures of student teachers appear in 1931-32 and 1947. Visitors to the school’s Education Week Open Days have signed in most years from 1955 to 1969.An important note appears after the sole entry for 1952: “School closed during 1953. / Re-opened 15.7.54.” This temporary closure is also referred to in the Inspector’s report for 1954, included in the school’s Observation Book (1/4021).