William Thomas Martin (born 1883) was a South Australian educator who specialised in primary school teaching methods.

History

Martin was born in Brentwood, on

Yorke Peninsula The Yorke Peninsula is a peninsula located northwest and west of Adelaide in South Australia, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. The peninsula is separated from Kangaroo Island to the south by Investigator Strai ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

, son of Henry William Martin and Eliza Martin née Giles, who married in 1876. He was educated at the local school, where in 1898 he served as school monitor, and moved to Adelaide for continued education at the Flinders Street school, first as a student and then as a pupil teacher. In 1904 he started on a Teachers' College scholarship to study at the

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

but interrupted it after two years when he was appointed head teacher at Moonta High School. Six years later he was transferred to

Adelaide High School Adelaide High School is a coeducational state high school situated on the corner of West Terrace and Glover Avenue in the Adelaide Parklands. Following the Advanced School for Girls, it was the second government high school in South Australia ...

and a year later was appointed chief assistant at Thebarton High School. Meantime he completed his university studies and graduated BA in 1914. He served as Principal of both primary and high school at Victor Harbor for two years, then in 1920 was appointed School Inspector for the northern region, based in

Quorn Quorn is a brand of meat substitute products, or the company that makes them. Quorn originated in the UK and is sold primarily in Europe, but is available in 14 countries. The brand is owned by parent company Monde Nissin. Quorn is sold as bo ...

, followed by the Yorke Peninsula district in 1924. In 1927, while on an extended overseas holiday, visited many teaching centres to gain an appreciation of teaching methods in other countries. On his return he took up duties as school inspector at Kadina. In 1930 he was made Acting Superintendent of Primary Education, and five months later succeeded C. Charlton (died 1961) in the position, responsible for State primary schools in South Australia and the Northern Territory. In 1933 he was instrumental in revising the skill marking system, where anomalies occasionally gave promotion to less experienced teachers. In 1947 he was awarded an

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

for services to education.

Other interests

Martin was an enthusiastic musician, and at various stages of his teaching career conducted local choirs, choral societies and orchestras. He was also a bowls player of considerable ability. In the newspaper obituary for football administrator

Frank Marlow Frank Marlow (10 January 1869 – 13 August 1935) was a long-serving administrator of Australian rules football in South Australia; as secretary of South Adelaide Football Club and of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). Histor ...

, Martin (who deputised for William Adey) is credited as also vice-president of the Public Schools Football Association.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, William Thomas 1883 births Year of death missing Australian educators Australian headmasters