NRS-17518 | Visitors book [Combaning Siding Public School]

Section 19 of the Public Schools Act, 1866 (30 Vic. No. 22, 1866) authorised special religious instruction by visiting clergymen and their delegates and regulations 84-86 under the Act, adopted by the Council of Education on 27 February 1867, authorised members of the public to visit schools during school hours to observe teaching methods, teaching material and equipment. The regulations required every teacher to keep a visitors' book in which visitors could enter their names and any remarks.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 listing 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), sewing instruction, open days, school inspection, medical inspection, departmental officers visiting on business 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《公立学校法案》第19条（30 Vic. No. 22，1866）授权到访神职人员及其代表开展专项宗教教育；该法案配套的第84至86号条例经教育委员会于1867年2月27日审议通过后，准许社会公众于教学时段到访学校，观摩教学方法、教学材料与教学设备。上述条例要求每位教师配备访客登记簿，以供访客登记姓名及相关意见。访客登记簿的设立目的，在于记录非在校学生与教职员工、且于学校办公时段到访的人员信息。登记簿设有三栏，分别用于登记日期、姓名与意见。访客所留意见通常会记录到访事由，具体包括宗教教育（为最常见的到访目的）、缝纫教学、开放日活动、学校巡查、医疗检查、部门官员因公前来检查校舍或设备，以及特邀演讲者到访。部分访客（尤以巡查人员为甚）还会简要记录学校的办学状况与校园氛围。