Historical information

This book was awarded to Florence Groves for first prize in arithmetic in 1885. Florence enrolled at Clarendon Ladies' College with her sister Blanche on 30/07/1884 at the age of 14. Father's Christian name listed in the original register as Daniel Barton residing at 18 Mc Carthur street, Ballarat. It also lists his employment as Commercial traveller.

Significance

Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.

Physical description

Bound in brown and green cloth with gilt lettering and floral decorations on front cover and spine. Detached spine and pages, black and white illustrations throughout. 144 pages (several pages missing at the end of book.)

Inscriptions & markings

Book plate inside front cover: CLARENDON LADIES' COLLEGE./ BALLARAT./ First PRIZE,/ VI Arithmetic Div II./ AWARDED TO/ Florence Groves./ 19th December, 1885. Handwritten on fly leaf "V. Gay/ 1935"