NRS-20227 | Visitors' book [Cedar Party 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）授权巡回神职人员及其代表开展专项宗教教育，该授权的依据为1866年《公立学校法案》（Public Schools Act, 1866）第19条；同时该法案项下的监管细则允许公众在“世俗教育时段”到访学校，观摩教学方法、教材与教学设备（1867年2月27日教育委员会（Council of Education）通过的细则第84-85条）。该细则第86条规定，所有教师必须留存访客登记簿，供访客登记姓名，若访客认为合适亦可填写评论，且教师绝对不得擦除或修改此类评论。访客登记簿的用途是记录非学生与教师、且在办公时段到访学校的人员信息。登记簿分为三栏：日期、姓名与评论。评论内容通常记录到访目的，包括宗教教育（这是到访学校最常见的目的）、学校巡查、医疗检查、因公到访的部门官员（例如检查校舍或教学设备），以及特邀演讲者。偶尔访客（尤其是巡查员）会简要评论学校的管理状况或整体氛围。