T. W. Robinson probably arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, on the Portland in 1837. On 7 December 1837 a death notice in the Colonist announced the death at sea on 11 September 1837 of the wife of T. W. Robinson, teacher, formerly of 28 Greenside Street, Edinburgh (7).
Robinson first taught in Sydney. The Colonist newspaper on 11 April 1838 reports: 'We understand that Mr. T. W. Robinson of the Juvenile Training School in connection with the Scots Church, intends publishing a series of small initiatory school books on the most modern and approved principles ... From the experience which Mr. R. has had in the most celebrated schools of Edinburgh, and from his own excellent judgement and taste in these matters,' continues the Colonist, 'we expect that his series of little works will prove highly useful and acceptable in this colony.' James Tegg advertised the publication of Robinson's 'Sydney Primer, or Child's Manual' in the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser on 28 April 1838 (2). Extant copies of Robinson's 'Primer' have not been identified.
In January 1844 Robinson opened the Patrick Plains Institution at Singleton, New South Wales, and in July 1850 left Singleton for East Maitland to open the East Maitland Academy and Wollongong National School.
Robinson remarried in 1844.
Sources: Colonist (7 December 1837): 7; Colonist (11 April 1838): 2; Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (28 April 1838): 3; Sydney Morning Herald (1 January 1844):2; 'Notable Milestone in History of Singleton', Singleton Argus (13 September 1840): 8.
