NRS-17320 | Visitors' Books [Wyee 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.The series from Wyee Public School is currently represented by a single volume, which records visitors to the school during the period from 1945 until 1968. Down to February, 1958, the majority of signatures in this volume are those of clergy and other church-workers visiting the school in order to provide religious instruction to the pupils. After this date these signatures cease, making it appear likely that the school then commenced to maintain a separate Visiting Clergy Book.Other regular signatories in this volume include the Inspectors of Schools on their periodic visits of inspection, Police Lecturers, School Counsellors, officers of the Child Welfare Department, Physical Education instructors (from 1955), representatives of the Junior Farmers’ Clubs organization, and (from 1960) of Dr Barnardo’s Homes. Occasional visits are paid by Medical and Dental Officers and representatives of the Commonwealth Bank. In October, 1954 diphtheria immunization was carried out at the school. In November, 1967 a number of individuals from the press have signed the volume.In February, 1955 the school was visited by the Federal MP for Robertson and the State MLA for Gosford, and in February, 1967 by the MLA for Wyong.On a number of occasions during the period covered by this volume, events held at the school were open to the general public, and on these occasions those attending these events have left their signatures in the volume. These occasions include the celebrations of the Centenary of Education in N.S.W. in 1948, Arbor Day in 1952 and the Education Week Open Days held each August from 1955 (except for 1963). These occasions dominate the volume from 1958 onwards.