NRS-19702 | Observation Books [Willoughby 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 noted "The Inspector's 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 entries made in these volumes are handwritten into the book, or are handwritten or typed on a specifically designed form, which is 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. Some earlier reports cover four areas: attendance, organisation, discipline and instruction.The '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' 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 which 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 higher cultural values.

本观测簿的设立目的，是供教育督学记录有关学校管理、校内人际关系与纪律状况，以及教学活动的范围与成效等方面的总体评述。
1866年《公立学校法案》（Public Schools Act, 1866）项下的条例指出："督学对其所视察学校的状况所作出的评述，须记入该校的"观测簿（Observation Book）"中，该簿作为学校档案须妥善保管。簿内记载内容不得涂改或篡改（该条例由教育委员会于1867年2月27日通过，第83条）。
观测簿内的记载可直接以手写形式誊写入簿，或先以手写、打印方式填写于专用制式表格后，再将表格粘贴至观测簿中。该表格需载明学校名称与视察日期——通常为每年一次。
该表格主要划分为三大核心板块：组织（organisation）、治理（government）与教学（instruction）。部分早期报告则涵盖四大板块：出勤、组织、纪律与教学。
"组织"板块涉及学校的设备配置、校园美化工程、教职工管理、档案留存、教育合作机构、整体管理的顺畅性与实施成效，以及该校在社会公众中的办学声誉。
"治理"板块则针对师生间的关系、纪律在培育行为理念、激发独立思考与实践活动的成效，以及学校对学生的社会化影响。
"教学"板块，即整体评估调研，用于评估课程体系的统筹规划、备课情况、一般性言语训练、教学方法，以及这些要素在促进智力成长与发展、培养高阶文化价值观的认知与鉴赏方面的成效。