NRS-24177 | Observation books [Kurrara Public School / Banora Point Public 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 (30 Vic. No.22) noted 'The Inspectors' 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 Observation book was originally purpose-printed for Inspectors' reports to be entered by hand, and this continued until approximately 1938. Reports thereafter were made on a specifically designed form, which was then pasted into the Observation book. The form details the school and the inspection date, which was normally only once a year. The form is divided into three main areas: organisation, government and instruction.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 section 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.Until 1943 the forms included a fourth area: physical education.

《视察手册》（Observation book）的设立初衷，是供教育督察员记录学校管理、校内人际与纪律状况，以及教学的范畴与成效等综合评价。1866年《公立学校法案》（Public Schools Act, 1866，30 Vic. No.22）项下的相关规定明确指出：“督察员对所视察学校状况的评价，须记入该校的‘视察手册’，该手册作为学校档案应予妥善保管，其中的记录不得涂改或篡改。” 该条款由教育委员会于1867年2月27日通过，对应第83条。

视察手册最初为督察员手写报告定制印刷，该形式一直沿用至约1938年。1938年之后，督察员需填写专用制式表格，再将表格粘贴至视察手册中。该表格需列明学校名称与视察日期——通常情况下，每所学校每年仅接受一次视察。表格分为三大核心板块：组织管理、校务治理与教学实施。

其中，组织管理板块涵盖学校设备配置、校园美化工程、教职工管理、档案留存、教育辅助机构设置、整体管理的流畅性与有效性，以及学校在所在社区中的地位。

校务治理板块涉及师生关系、纪律建设在培育行为准则、激发独立思考与实践能力方面的成效，以及学校对学生的社会化影响。

教学实施板块则对课程体系的统筹规划、备课工作、通用言语训练、教学方法，及其在促进智力成长与发展、提升对高层次文化价值的认知等方面的成效进行评估。

直至1943年，此类表格均增设第四板块：体育教育（physical education）。