NRS-20239 | Visitors' book [Rocks Crossing 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《公立教育法案》（Public Instruction Act, 1866）授权巡回神职人员及其代表开展专项宗教教育（1866年《公立学校法案》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条）；该法案项下的细则允许社会公众于世俗教育时段到访学校，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（Council of Education）通过的细则第84-85条）。细则第86条规定，每位教师必须设置访客登记簿（visitors’ book），“访客可在此登记姓名，若认为合适亦可填写意见，教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类意见”。访客登记簿的设立目的，是记录非学生及教师身份、于学校办公时段到访的人员信息。该登记簿设有三栏：日期、姓名与备注。备注内容通常会记录到访缘由，其中宗教教育为最常见的到访目的，此外还包括学校视察、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访（如检查校舍或设备）以及特邀演讲等事由。偶有访客（尤以视察员为甚）会简要评论学校的管理状况或校园氛围。