NRS-20311 | Visitors' book [Bundanoon 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, ss.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.

1866年《公立教育法》（Public Instruction Act, 1866）授权派驻牧师及其代表开展专项宗教教育（《公立学校法》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条）；同时依据该法制定的监管条例允许公众在"世俗教育时段"前往学校观摩教学方法、教材与教学设备（1867年2月27日教育委员会（Council of Education）通过的条例第84-85条）。该条例第86条规定，每位教师必须设置访客登记簿，"供访客登记姓名，若认为适当亦可填写评论；教师绝不可擦除或修改此类评论内容"。访客登记簿的核心功能是记录非学生或教师身份、且在学校办公时段到访的人员信息。这类登记簿通常分为三栏：日期、姓名与评论。访客填写的评论一般会记录到访目的，其中宗教教育（为学校到访最普遍的缘由）、学校巡查、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访（例如检查校舍或教学设备）以及特邀演讲均为常见的到访事由。此外，部分访客（尤其是学校巡查员）还会简要评论学校的办学状况或校园氛围。