NRS-19286 | Visitors' Book [Stony Point 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《公立教育法案》（Public Instruction Act, 1866）授权来访牧师及其代表开展专项宗教教育，相关条款载于该法案第19条（1866年《公立学校法案》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条）；依据该法案制定的细则允许社会公众在“世俗教育课时”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设置访客登记簿（visitors’ book），“访客可在此登记姓名，若认为合适亦可填写相关评论，教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类评论”（上述细则第86条）。

访客登记簿的设立初衷是记录非学生与教师身份、且在办学时段到访学校的人员信息。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目的，其中宗教教育（无疑是最普遍的到访动因）、学校视察、医疗检查、部门官员因公到访（例如检查校舍或设备）以及特邀演讲均属常见类型。偶尔访客（尤其是督察员）还会简要评论学校的管理状况与办学氛围。