AustLit

Preface to Victorian Readers: Eighth Book (1929):

As the need for a Primer and First Book of modern type and for the provision of more space in The School Paper for articles of current interest had been felt for some time, it was decided last year [1927] to proceed with the preparation of a series of reading books (eight in number) to be published by the Government Printer. The selection of matter and the obtaining of drawings from local artists to illustrate it were entrusted to committees of inspectors and teachers, with Mr. J. C. Lowry, B.A. (a senior inspector of schools), as chairman, and Mr. C. R. Long, M.A., as editor.

This book - the most advanced of the projected series - is the first to be issued. The main aim of the committee that made the selections for it was to obtain such as possessed literary merit, were informative, were likely to arouse interest, and were suitable as regards the average standard of attainment of the grade or forms for which the book was intended. The young readers were to begin at home, to be taken in imagination to various parts of the Empire, to Europe, and to the United States of America, and thus to gain knowledge of their rich heritage and acquire a well-founded pride of race. The inculcation of sound morality was always to be kept in view, and support given to the creation of a feeling against international strife and to the implanting of a desire for world-wide toleration. The grouping of the selections (story, essay, poem etc.) in order to secure continuity of thought - one selection serving to reveal and support another - was to be aimed at throughout, so that the contents of the book might not be a mere collection of unrelated items, but approach as nearly as possible to a unity.

The committee was of the opinion that notes and explanations to aid in the securing of intelligent reading would be advantageous, but that they should not be unduly elaborate or very numerous, and that they should form a section at the end of the book. It is hoped that those which have been provided will not only prove helpful in themselves, but will also suggest interesting lines of study (critical, etymological, biographical, historical, geographical, etc) that may be followed up to advantage by some of the young readers, if not by all.

Though it was recognized that the local production of a series of reading-books to compare favourably with those issued by leading British publishers would not be easy of accomplishment, yet it was believed that the effect of the use of such a series in the schools and in the pupils' homes would make the effort well worth while.

The School Paper, a monthly publication of the Victorian Education Department, was first introduced into Victorian schools in 1896, following dissatisfaction with the Royal Readers used in elementary schools. The first general editor of the series was Charles Richard Long. Until its replacement in 1929 by the Victorian Readers the School Paper was the official reading material in schools; and for long after 1929 it was used as supplementary reading material.

The series comprised individual monthly publications for each grade. These texts were used primarily to teach the children to read. 'Other broad aims included the fostering of a love of reading, and the introduction of some of the great literature of our culture to the pupils. Opportunity was also taken by the compilers of these texts to include material designed to influence the students into modes of thinking that were considered to be appropriate to the times. Attitudes to such concepts as sexism, racism, warfare, nationalism and patriotism have been imbued into the consciousness of the readers by overt and sometimes by covert means' (K. Edwards, 'School Reading Texts: The School Papers and the Moulding of Young Minds' Post-Script; v.5 n.1 p.31-53; August 2004 ).