NRS-17229 | Comments and Suggestions Books [The Junction Public School]

Full description

The purpose of the Comments and Suggestions Book is defined by the notice inside its front cover, as follows:
“This book is for the purpose of recording such comments and suggestions on the work of each member of the staff, favourable or otherwise, as are deemed appropriate.
“These remarks should be made in clear and concise terms. The Teacher concerned should read and attach his initials to what has been recorded regarding his work.”

The book contains detailed comments on the state and progress of each class in the school, including evaluations of the pupils’ performance in the various subjects taught, the teacher’s proficiency (or otherwise), character and general deportment, the needs of the class generally and the needs of particular pupils. These comments are made by the Headmaster or the Deputy Headmaster, normally but not invariably in July and December, in the aftermath of the half-yearly and yearly examinations; at an earlier period, it was expected that they would be made quarterly. They may be either in the form of typescript sheets pasted into the volume, or handwritten reports entered directly onto its pages.

The series from The Junction Public School is currently represented by six volumes, three of which appertain to the Boys’ Department of the school during the periods 1929-1934 and 1943-1949, and three to the Girls’ Department for the years 1938-1950. Entries in the Girls’ Department volumes are handwritten throughout, as are those in the earlier Boys’ Department volume (1929-1934), but reports in the later Boys’ Department volumes (1943-1948 and 1948-49) consist of typescript sheets pasted or pinned into place, except for some few which have been inserted loose.

The earlier Boys’ Department volume has been re-used in part as a Minute Book for staff meetings; to this end the first eleven leaves, containing reports for May and August of 1929, have been cut out, and typed minutes and memoranda (dating to 1943) pasted to the remaining stubs. The first original report to survive in this volume is dated the 25th September, 1929.