NRS-16787 | Visitors' Books [Forbesdale 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 Forbesdale Public School is represented by two volumes, probably of an original three, which together cover the years from 1919 until the closure of the school in 1969. The majority of entries in these volumes are made by clergy visiting the school in order to provide religious instruction. Other visitors include guest speakers, the Inspector of Schools on his regular visits of inspection, and student teachers. Visitors to school functions sign on occasion, such as those who attended Empire Day celebrations from 1930 to 1934, the observation of the Centenary of Public Education in 1948, the Commonwealth Day picnic in 1965, and the Education Week displays from 1966-1968. Those who attended the Inspectors’ Conference held at the school in 1961 have also signed the book.