For the New Zealand Armed Forces, 1974 has been something of a historic year in Singapore. For the first time in our country's history a Force which includes Navy, Army and Air Force units under full New Zealand command has been set up beyond the shores of New Zealand. As a consequence of this, but more importantly in the context of this journal, this year has also seen the establishment of three New Zealand schools n Singapore - namely the contributing schools at Seletar and Tengah and the composite school at Woodlands.

 

To acheive this requirment the closing of the ANZ school at Changi, the move of the school pupils from Changi to Woodlands, the opening of a new school at Seletar and some changes to the former ANZ school at Tengah. All this was not acheieved without considerable effort by many people. Large quantities of equiment and records had to be moved long distances, school timetables had to be re-organised, bus schedules changed and a host of other tasks had to be carried out. That this was accomplished in time for the schools to open on 27 May 1974 says much for the efforts of the head teachers, the staff, the pupils and the service personnel who worked extremely hard to make it possible.

In our schools i welcome the continued presence of Australians, both teachers and pupils; we are glad to have you with us by your presence you add to the breadth of our schools in a manner which, without you, we should lack. I am confident that the schools will continue to provide a sound and balanced education for the children both Australian and New Zealand in the years ahead.

One important area associated with the schools that is worthy of development is parent involvement. Parent/teacher organisations form an essential link between home and school and provide an important forum in which there can be an exchange of information, ideas and opinions. I am glad to see that an start has been made in this field and i hope that 1975 will see further progress made.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the staff of the schools who have worked extremely hard to maintain a high scholastic standard during this year of transition, I know that this has not been easy. I would also like to thank, in particular, those staff members who are to returning to Australia or New Zealand at the end of this year for their contribution to the education of our children here in Singapore.

Finally, to all school pupils i would say this - your school years are precious, gain from them all that you can, they must stand you in good stead for the rest of your lives.

M.R.Kennedy

Brigadier

Commander NZ Force S.E. Asia