Issued in 1980 to commemorate a centenary of the New South Wales Department of Education, this is an absolute treasure of photographs, art and all manner of archival material, starting with the first ‘dame-school’ in Sydney Cove, started by convict  Isabella Rosson c.1789 – just her, a handful of children and a make-shift shelter under which to learn the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic. It also covers Sunday Schools, the contributions made by school children in both World Wars, miniature rifle ranges, life-saving classes and schoolhouses built by remote communities, determined that their children would have a good start in life. A great many black and white photos.