Objects of Substance – Confidential Report Book

1916 Miss Annie Mackay with her staff Back row: Miss Grimes (Senior Fairfax), Miss Keys, Miss Adderley B.A. (Dublin), Miss Steedman B.A. (Qld), Miss Mollison B.Sc. (Melbourne), Miss Wall Seated: Miss Anderson B.A. (Tasmania), Miss Lyons B.A. (Sydney), Miss Thompson BSc, Miss A. Mackay (Headmistress, Sydney Senior), Miss M.W. Smith B.A. (Qld), Miss Dodds B.A. (Qld), Mrs Burke (Music Mistress) While Acting Headmistress in 1924, Miss Kathleen Lyons, stated her responses to the Inspector’s commentary calmly and clearly. When Mr George criticised the teaching of the Commercial class, Miss Lyons’ response supported the teacher, stating: ‘to my mind, Miss Walls fault is excess of energy rather than lack of energy. I can only think that the presence of the Inspector must overawe her completely’ (Confidential Book 2, 1924). Overall, the Inspectors’ reports were constructive and often provided the headmistresses with the opportunity to lobby Trustees for improved facilities, to change staffing, update curriculum, discuss teaching methods, and contemporise society’s impact on a school. However, at times, the frustrations of the headmistresses were clear. ‘Every year Mr George says (a) that he does not like the four wooden classrooms, (b) that the laboratory is unsatisfactory, (c) that we have no new pictures in the classrooms (C onfidential Book 2, K Lilley, 1932)’.