When the University of Adelaide opened, she focussed on preparing her students for higher education, leading to them being among the first women to graduate with degrees.
[citation needed] Almost immediately after returning to Adelaide, she and Henry Septimus Clark, one of the founders of Stonyfell vineyards and winery, were engaged to be married.
[citation needed] In 1874 the University of Adelaide opened, and from its inception allowed female students, and Miss Martin's School moved its focus to preparation of girls for higher education.
The school closed in 1874 (perhaps from a dearth of suitable teachers) and Martin reverted to tutoring in a private residence on Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide, then worked at Mme.
She took another two years off in England 1883–1884,[5] then reopened her school at her home in Osmond Terrace, Norwood, teaching French, German, Italian and Greek.
[citation needed] Many of Martin's students did well academically: Edith Cook was, in 1877, the first woman to pass the University's entrance examination.
She was suspicious of modern plumbing, and when sewerage was introduced to the west side of Osmond Terrace, Norwood, where she lived, she moved over the road to No.