NRS-16667 | Observation Books [Cessnock Public School]

Full description

The purpose of the observation book was for the Inspector to record general remarks about the management of the school, the relationships and discipline within it and the range and effectiveness of the teaching. The Regulations under the Public Schools Act, 1866 noted “The Inspector’s remarks upon the state of the school visited by him, will be entered in the “Observation Book” of the school, which, as a School Record, should be carefully preserved. Entries therein are not to be erased or altered.” (Regulations adopted by the Council of Education on 27 February 1867, s. 83)

The arrangement of this series reflects the organisation of the school, in that the several departments into which the school was divided after 1913 are each reported on separately, and these reports are recorded in separate Observation Books. At present this series contains Observation Books from the Boys’ Department, 1933-1951, and the Girls’ Department (known as the Domestic Science School until 1926), 1926-1957. The book for the Boys’ Department includes reports on the whole school for the years 1949 and 1951.

The entries in these volumes are made directly into the volume in until 1938, generally by hand, but in some cases by removing the pages, typing the text of the report and then re-inserting the typed pages. From 1939 onwards, however, the reports are entered on a specifically designed form, which is then pasted into the observation book. The form details the school and the inspection date, which was normally once a year until 1942. Thereafter the Boys’ Department tends to be reported on only every second year, although annual inspections continue to be the rule for the Girls’ Department.

The form is divided into three main areas: organisation, government and instruction.

The ‘organisation’ section pertains to the school’s equipment, beautification programs, staff direction, records, educational agencies, smoothness and effectiveness of general management, and the standing of the school in relation to the general community.

‘Government’ comments on relations between staff and students, effectiveness of discipline in fostering ideals of conduct and stimulating independent thought and activity, and the socialising influence of the school on its pupils.

‘Instruction’, or general survey evaluates the co-ordination of lesson courses, preparation, general speech-training, teaching methods and their effectiveness in promoting intellectual growth and development, and an appreciation of the higher cultural values.

Between 1939 and 1942 the forms also include a brief fourth section, ‘Physical Education.’