NRS-17509 | Visitors book [Brucedale School]

Section 19 of the Public Schools Act, 1866 (30 Vic. No. 22, 1866) authorised special religious instruction by visiting clergymen and their delegates and regulations 84-86 under the Act, adopted by the Council of Education on 27 February 1867, authorised members of the public to visit schools during school hours to observe teaching methods, teaching material and equipment. The regulations required every teacher to keep a visitors' book in which visitors could enter their names and any remarks.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 listing 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), sewing instruction, open days, school inspection, medical inspection, departmental officers visiting on business 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年公立学校法案》第19条（30 Vic. No. 22, 1866）授权到访神职人员及其代表开展专项宗教教育；1867年2月27日由教育委员会通过的该法案第84至86条细则，允许社会公众于上课时段到访学校，观摩教学方法、教学材料与教学设备。该细则要求每位教师必须备置访客登记簿，供到访者登记姓名及相关意见。设立访客登记簿的初衷，是为了记录除学生与教职工外，于学校办公时段到访的人员信息。访客登记簿分为三栏，分别登记日期、姓名与备注内容。备注栏通常会记录到访事由，其中宗教教育（这是最为普遍的到访目的）、缝纫教学、开放日、学校巡查、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访检查校舍或设备，以及特邀演讲者到访等均为常见情形。偶有到访者（尤以巡查人员为甚）会简要记录学校的运营状况或校园氛围。