NRS-15870 | Observation Book [Berrigan Public School]

The majority of entries in this volume are made on a specifically designed form, which is then pasted into the observation book. This form details the school and the inspection date, which was generally once a year. The form is divided into four areas; organization, government, physical training and instruction.The ‘organisation’ section contains relevant information concerning accommodation and equipment, beautification schemes, oversight of school premises, classification, 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 pupils, effectiveness of discipline in fostering ideals of conduct and stimulating independent thought and activity, and the socializing influence of the school on its pupils.‘Physical training’ concentrates on the nature, regularity and general effectiveness of exercise within the school.‘Instruction’ is divided into two sections. The first is used to estimate the progress and standard of each of the subjects taught in all of the classes. The inspector issues grades such as ‘poor’, ‘fair’, ‘good’ and ‘very good’ for each subject. The second section of ‘Instruction’ is a general survey where the inspector evaluates the co-ordination of the lesson courses, preparation, general speech training, teaching methods in terms of their effectiveness in promoting intellectual growth and development, and an appreciation of the higher cultural values.