NRS-19282 | Visitors' Book [Bonville 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》授权来访牧师及其代表开展专项宗教教育（1866年《公立学校法》第19条）；该法项下的配套细则则允许公众成员在"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日教育委员会通过的细则第84-85条）。该细则要求每位教师必须留存访客登记簿，"访客可在此登记姓名，若有意愿亦可填写评论。教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类评论"（同上细则第86条）。访客登记簿的设立目的，是为了记录业务时段内除学生与教师外到访学校的人员信息。该登记簿通常分为三栏：日期、姓名与评论。评论内容一般会记录到访事由，其中宗教教育（为学校到访最常见的事由）、学校视察、医疗检查、教育部门官员因公到访（例如检查校舍或设备）以及特邀演讲嘉宾到访均属此类。偶尔有访客（尤其是学校视察员）还会简要评述学校的办学风貌与日常运营状况。