NRS-20209 | Observation book [Coffs Harbour 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)Prior to 1939, these volumes were written up by hand, and are printed in an appropriate format. Four pages are allowed for each report, which is headed by the name of the school and the date of inspection. The report is then divided into four main areas: attendance, organisation, discipline and instruction. From 1939, the majority of entries made in these volumes are entered 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 once a year until the later 1940’s, and biennially thereafter. The form is divided into three main areas: organisation, government and instruction.‘Attendance’ is a brief section in which the number present on the day of inspection, the total enrolment at the school and the name of the teacher are recorded.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.‘Discipline’ covers observations on the pupils’ behaviour, manners, and standards of neatness in both their work and their persons. Remarks on physical training may also be included here.‘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 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 the higher cultural values.From 1939 until 1942 the form also includes a section headed Physical Training, which may also appear in reports for 1943 where old stocks of the forms have been used.

本视察手册（Observation Book）的用途为供学校检查员记录有关学校管理、校内人际与纪律状况，以及教学的范畴与成效的一般性评述。1866年《公立学校法案》项下的条例规定：“检查员针对其视察的学校状况所作出的评述，须录入该校的《视察手册》（Observation Book）；该手册作为学校档案，应予以妥善保存，其中的记录不得涂改或篡改。”（该条例由教育委员会于1867年2月27日通过，第83条）

1939年以前，此类手册均为手写誊录，并以规范格式印制。每份报告预留四页版面，首页标注学校名称与视察日期。每份报告分为四大核心板块：出勤状况、校务组织、纪律管理与教学实施。

1939年起，手册内的多数记录均填写于专门设计的表单之上，再将表单粘贴至视察手册中。表单载明学校名称与视察日期——在1940年代末以前，视察通常每年开展一次，此后改为每两年一次。该表单分为三大核心板块：校务组织、校务治理与教学实施。

“出勤状况”板块为简要条目，用于记录视察当日在校人数、学校总注册学生数以及负责教师姓名。

“校务组织”板块涵盖学校教学设备、校园美化项目、教职工督导、档案管理、校外教育合作机构、整体管理的顺畅性与成效，以及学校在社区中的声誉与地位。

“纪律管理”板块记录学生行为举止、仪容风貌，以及作业与个人的整洁标准；相关评述也可纳入体育训练相关内容。

“校务治理”板块评述师生关系、纪律管理在培育行为准则与激发独立思考与实践方面的成效，以及学校对学生的社会化影响。

“教学实施”板块（亦称为综合概览）评估课程体系的协调性、备课情况、整体言语训练、教学方法，以及这些要素在促进学生智力成长与发展，以及培育高层次文化价值认知方面的成效。

1939年至1942年间，表单还设有“体育训练”板块；1943年的报告中若仍使用旧版表单，也会保留该板块。