NRS-20232 | Visitors' book [Coffs Harbour 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.

《1866年公共教育法》（The Public Instruction Act, 1866）授权由来访神职人员及其代表开展专项宗教教育（《1866年公立学校法》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条）；该法项下的实施细则允许公众在“世俗教育时段”到访学校，以观摩教学方法、教学材料与教学设备（1867年2月27日教育委员会通过的细则第84-85条）。上述细则第86条规定：“每位教师均需留存访客登记簿，访客可在此簿登记姓名，若认为恰当亦可留下评论，教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类评论。”访客登记簿的设立目的，在于记录非学生或教师且于学校办公时段到访的人员信息。访客登记簿共设三栏：日期、姓名与评论内容。访客的评论通常会记录到访事由，其中宗教教育（为到访学校最常见的目的）、学校视察、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访（如检查校舍或教学设备）以及特邀演讲嘉宾到访，均为常见的到访类型。偶尔也有访客（尤其是学校视察员）会简要评论学校的管理状况或校园氛围。