NRS-20645 | Visitors' book [Tintinhull 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》（Public Instruction Act, 1866）授权到访牧师及其代表开展专项宗教教育，相关依据为《1866年公立学校法》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条；依据该法制定的实施细则允许社会公众在"世俗教育时段"进入学校参观，观察教学方法、教学材料与设备，相关细则为1867年2月27日教育委员会通过的第84至85条细则。该细则第86条规定，每位教师必须配备访客登记簿，供访客登记姓名并自愿填写相关备注，教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类备注。访客登记簿的设立初衷是记录非师生身份、在学校办公时段到访的人员信息。登记簿共设三栏：日期、姓名与备注。访客备注通常会记录到访事由，其中宗教教育是学校访客最常见的到访目的，此外还包括学校视察、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访（例如检查校舍或教学设备）以及特邀演讲者来访。偶尔也有访客（尤其是学校视察员）会简要评述学校的办学风貌与校园氛围。