NRS-20714 | Observation Book [Kincumber 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.

本观察簿（Observation Book）的设立目的为教育督学（Inspector）记录关于学校管理、校内人际与纪律状况，以及教学的范畴与成效的综合评述。
1866年《公立学校法案》项下的条例明确规定：「视察员针对其所视察学校的状况所出具的评论，须录入学校观察簿；该观察簿作为学校档案，应予以妥善保管。簿内录入内容不得擦除或修改（1867年2月27日教育委员会通过的条例第83条）。」
本簿册的录入内容可采用两种形式：一是直接手写誊写入观察簿，二是先以手写或打印方式填写至专用制式表格，再将表格粘贴入观察簿。该表格需载明学校信息与视察日期，常规视察频次为每年一次。
该制式表格主要分为三大板块：组织管理（organisation）、校务治理（government）与教学实施（instruction）。部分早期报告则涵盖四大板块：出勤情况、组织管理、纪律状况与教学实施。
「组织管理」板块涵盖学校设备配置、校园美化工程、教职工管理、档案留存、教育机构协作、整体运营的流畅性与效率，以及学校在社会公众中的声誉与地位。
「校务治理」板块则针对师生关系、纪律体系在培育行为准则、激发独立思考与自主活动方面的成效，以及学校对学生的社会化影响进行评述。
「教学实施」板块作为整体调研模块，将评估课程体系的协调性、备课筹备情况、通用言语训练、教学方法，以及上述要素在促进学生智力成长与发展、提升对高层次文化价值认知方面的成效。