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Decorations and Distinctions For his services ,as Director of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Educational; Services, Wing Commander E. Caradus, Chief Inspector of Secondary Schools, was awarded' the 0.8. E. Miss J. B. Wilson, Principal of Waitaki Girls' High School, received the M.B.E. The following teachers received during.the year the awards indicated Lieut.-Colonel A. W. F. O'Reilly, Correspondence School: M.C. Lieut.-Colonel D. G. Grant, Christchurch West High School: M.C. Major G. G. Turbott, Takapuna Grammar School: M.C. Captain G. E. Wilson, Marlborough College : M.C. Squadron Leader G. F. Chippendale, Rangiora High School: M.B.E. Major J. R. P. Griffin, Wellington College : M.B.E. Lieut.-Colonel R. G. Webb and Major H. H. Craig, both of Rotorua High School,, were mentioned in despatches. General Observations The schools have faced with confidence and initiative the new tasks imposed on, them by the introduction of new regulations. This has been particularly evident in the efforts made to interpret the syllabuses .laid down for biology, social studies, art, and general cultural activities. The refresher courses in general science have been followed with the same interest as the course in social studies in the previous year. The heavy demand for admission to the courses indicates both the enthusiasm of teachers and the value of such a means of providing for adequate discussion. Physical education may be considered to have been firmly established in the secondary schools. The course conducted by Mr. Smithells and his staff at New Plymouth is already giving excellent results. Associated with the changes in thecurriculum is the demand for new equipment. Such equipment is in very short supply.. The Department has, however, taken steps to make up deficiencies from the equipment now being made available by the War Assets Realization Board. For this purposemuch good work has been done by Messrs. L. le F. Ensor and R. Hynes, and the thanks of teachers are due to them for their initiative. Building problems are still acute, but immediate needs are fairly well satisfied.. Much requires still to be done, however, to provide for specialist equipment to meet the needs of the new curriculum. I have, &c., F. C. Renyard, Superintendent of Technical Education. The Director of Education, Wellington.

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