NRS-17140 | Observation Books [New Lambton South 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 majority of entries made in these volumes are entered on a specifically designed form, which is then pasted into the observation book. The form details the school and the inspection date; after the later 1940’s, inspections were normally conducted biennially. 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.

The series is currently represented by two volumes, the first two in the series. The earlier volume contains reports on the whole school from its foundation in 1950 until its division into Boys’ and Girls’ Departments at the beginning of 1954, and reports on the Boys’ Department from 1954 until 1960; the later volume contains reports on the Girls’ Department from 1954 until 1962.

These volumes contain Inspectors’ reports on the whole school for the years 1950 and 1952, for the Boys’ Department in 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1960, and for the Girls’ Department in 1954, 1955 and 1957. A report for 1957, entered amongst those on the Boys’ Department, appears to apply to the whole school. This is followed in the same volume by a report on the Deputy Headmaster, dating from 1958. Physical Education reports are also given for 1950 and 1952, and one each for the Boys’ Department and the Girls’ Department in 1954. Needlework reports for the Girls’ Department appear under 1955 and 1962. A handwritten report by the Headmistress of the Girls’ Department for the year 1956 has been inserted loose in the back of the second volume.