Physical description
Newspaper Clipping with handwritten date.
Inscriptions & markings
Summary:
This article marks the retirement of Sybil Bines, a long-serving religious education teacher at Ringwood Primary School. Her retirement coincided with the school's final Christmas concert before it became part of the newly formed Great Ryrie Primary School. During her 36 years of service, Mrs Bines taught at several schools, including Croydon West, Warranwood, North Balwyn, Box Hill North, Templestowe Primary Schools, and the former Box Hill Girls’ Technical School. For the previous four years she had taught Years 2 and 3 religious education classes at Ringwood Primary School.
Mrs Bines said she would greatly miss the children but felt it was time for a younger person to take over. Reflecting on her connection with students, she recalled a child telling her she was “like my grandma.” Chris Breen, Ringwood Primary School’s Year 2/3 classroom teacher, praised Mrs Bines for treating every child as an individual and described her as a lovely person. One of the longest-serving volunteer teachers with the Council for Christian Education for Schools, Mrs Bines was recognised for her dedication with a certificate and badge for long service. The accompanying photograph shows Sybil Bines with Ringwood Primary School students Sarah (9), John (9), Bojana (9), Patrick (9) and Sothea (8).
(Co-Pilot 7/11/2026)
