NRS-24060 | Observation books [St George Girls High 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 volume SCH25/154 also includes, for the years 1914 to 1915, the Observation reports of Kogarah Girls Intermediate High School. Kogarah Girls Intermediate High School was a section of Kogarah "Superior School". In January 1916, part of this section broke away to form St George Girls High School.The entries in these volumes are made directly into the volume until 1938, generally by hand, but in some cases by removing the pages, typing the text of the report and then re-inserting the typed pages. From 1939 onwards, however, the reports 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 once a year until 1954. Thereafter the inspections become biennial.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 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.