Hidden in History is a weekly column that unearths the quirky, curious and sometimes eyebrow-raising tales from Shepparton’s past. Provided by the Shepparton Heritage Centre, these articles are rooted in fact — but told with a wink and a sense of humour.
These teacher rules from 1892 paint a vivid picture of school life in another era, when teaching involved far more than lessons at the blackboard.
From lighting lamps to regulating personal behaviour, they show just how tightly a teacher’s professional and private life were once controlled.
1892 teacher rules
- Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
- Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day’s session.
- Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of pupils.
- Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purpose, or two evenings a week if they if they go to church regularly.
- After 10 hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the bible or other good books.
- Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
- Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.
- Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity, and honesty.
- The teacher who performs his labour faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of 25 pence per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.
The Shepparton Heritage Centre is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, contact the centre on 4831 8659.
