Norman Baker J.P FACE

Mr Baker has given distinguished service to the education of children in New South Wales as a Teacher, Principal, Inspector of Schools and leadership in curriculum and media innovation.

His professional service began at Mummulgum (1937-1939) where he was an assistant teacher. Following this he was Teacher-in-Charge of Forbes River school during 1940. From 1941-1945 he was on leave for service in the A.I.F. In 1946 he was Teacher-in-Charge at Tunglebung and then Tuckurimba in the following year.

His service as an Inspector of Schools began in 1964 when h was appointed Acting District Inspector in the Sydney Region with responsibility for schools in Manly, Gosford, Penrith and Liverpool. His further appointments as District Inspector were Armidale (1968-69);Cronulla 1970-1977);Sylvania 1978; St George Region 1979 until he retired in August 1979.

Mr Baker has held a variety of offices on NSW Curriculum Committees for Art, English and Social Studies Guidelines (1972 – 1979). He was Chairman of the Social Studies Film Appraisal Committee and Social Studies Resources Committee (1970-1979). He programmed ABC Television Social Studies for Schools from 1970 to 1975.

During the period 1965 – 1980 he hosted many eminent educators. Among these were Professor Jerome Bruner (Harvard University), Dr Frances Link (International Faculty of Man: A Course of Study, Washington, DC, USA); Professor Anthony McNaughton, University of Auckland, NZ); Dr John Buckland (North Shore Teachers’ College, NZ); Professor Larry Senesh (University of Colorado, Boulder, USA); Professor Stenhouse ( Centre for Application of Research, University of Est Anglia, Norwich, UK) and Professor Michael Scriven (University of California, Berkeley, USA)

He has always been a very community minded person, devoting much time and expertise to community organizations such as the Walgett Hospital Board (1953-1955); RSL Sub Branches (Chillingham, Walgett, Miranda President 1962-1964, Life Member 1990, Convenor Propoerty Development Committee 1989-1999); Legacy Clubs at Lismore, Armidale, St George Region of Sydney; Rotary Clubs at Casino, Armidale and Miranda; Casino Historical Society from 1965 and President from 1965 to 1967; Probis Club of Miranda from 1984, Secretary from 1987 – 1990 and President from 1991 to 1992.

His other publications, books, articles and reports include, “Tradition and Innovation in Education” The Leader, NSW Department of Education (1959); “Parallel Classes in the Primary School”, The Leader, NSW Department of Education (1961); “Social Education for Today’s Children”, Study 10, Primary Education in Australia. Ed G.W. Bassett, University of Queensland Press (1973) ; “Experimental Approaches in Social Studies”, Inside Education, Department of Education NSW, Nov.-Dec. (1971); “The Teacher’s Role in Learning by Investigation”, Education Gazette, Department of Education, NSW (1974); Adventures in Writing, Primary English Teachers’ Association, NSW; “An Overview of the Organization and the Operation of the Innovations Program in NSW 1974-1981: Eight Years of School Level innovations in New South Wales 1974-1981.