NRS-2625 | Reports and memoranda received concerning Training School applicants

These contain applications for admission to the Training School, and reports and memoranda from the Senior Inspector, the Examiner, the Secretary to the Board and the Training Master concerning Training School candidates. After a manuscript application was acknowledged by the Secretary, the applicant completed a printed application form, which showed each candidate's marital status, age, place of birth, religion, period of residence in the Colony, and teaching experience. Character references were required, and each candidate supplied the names of two guarantors to repay training costs, should the candidate leave the employ of the Council within a three year period from date of commencement of training. Before admission to the Training School the Examiner made a preliminary report on the character and attainments of each candidate in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography and Dictation. A final report, made by the Training Master upon completion of the training period, commented briefly on each candidate's health, neatness, punctuality and regularity, earnestness, energy, diligence, demeanour, intelligence, and marks obtained. The Examiner's final report assessed the candidate's attainments in specific subjects, teaching skill and conduct. On this basis a classification recommendation was made. After 1868, reports on candidates include a remark from the Head Master or Head Mistress of the Model School. These reports remarked on the candidate's period of attendance, appearance and demeanour, attentiveness and diligence, habits and manners, leadership qualities, organising ability and knowledge of teaching method, concluding with a general estimate of each candidate's value as a teacher. An Inspector's report on each candidate-in-training was included after 1869. Each candidate was examined in reading skill, and an estimate made of his teaching skill. (1/761 part-765 part, microfilm copy SR Reels 1799-1802; 1/795 part-799 part, 1/837 part, 1/858 part-860 part, 1/889 part-891 part, 1/957-58, 1/935). 20 vols (part). Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.