NRS-17109 | Observation Book [Mount Finch Subsidised 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)

Prior to 1939, these volumes were written up by hand, and are printed in an appropriate format. Four pages are allowed for each report, which is headed by the name of the school and the date of inspection, which normally took place once a year. The report is then divided into four main areas: attendance, organisation, discipline and instruction.

‘Attendance’ is a brief section in which the number present on the day of inspection, the total enrolment at the school and the name of the teacher are recorded.

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.

‘Discipline’ covers observations on the pupils’ behaviour, manners, and standards of neatness in both their work and their persons. Remarks on physical training may also be included here.

‘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.

The series from Mount Finch Subsidised School consists at present of a single volume, which contains annual reports for the years from 1929 until 1939, except 1933 and 1935. It is possible that there was once more to this series; the first report refers to a previous visit made by the Inspector, and includes the information that the teacher then in charge had been at the school since July, 1928. Moreover, the volume as it stands is incomplete, missing its last twelve leaves (sufficient for six reports) and back cover. The volume bears the annotation “from Laguna” on its front cover.

Reports in this volume have been written in some instances by the Inspector of Subsidised Schools, in others by a teacher from Wollombi, and in one case by an individual who gives his title as “Supervisor.” The reports for 1937 and 1938 have been typed, the pages evidently having been removed from the book for this purpose and then re-inserted.