Norman Baker

Norman Baker is celebrated as a distinguished teacher and school inspector in the NSW Department of Education. Born in 1917 he was educated at Maroubra Junction Primary School and Hurlstone Agricultural High School, following which he was awarded a Teachers’ College Scholarship to attend Armidale Teachers’ College.  From 1937 until 1947 he served as teacher–in–charge of a number of small rural one-teacher schools before being appointed as Principal at Walgett Central School. 

In 1964 he was appointed Acting District School Inspector in the Gosford /Penrith district and later served as District Inspector in the districts of Casino and Armidale in the 1960s.

He was awarded a Travelling Scholarship for School Inspectors in 1969 investigating social studies/social education curricula in a number of countries around the world.  Norman was a member of a number of significant curriculum planning committees at the state and national level in Australia.  Following his retirement he served as the convener of the Commonwealth Schools Commission NSW State Innovations Committee in 1980-81.  He received the award of Fellow of the Australian College of Educators in 1978 and Life membership in 2003. Also, he was Founder and Life Member of the Social Education Association of Australia