Vale - Sylvia Henley
After 30 years of service at Belridge Secondary College, Sylvia retired in 2023, after first arriving at the school’s door on 2 February 1993. Prior to joining the Belridge family, she worked at Girrawheen Senior High School.
Sylvia was an outstanding literature teacher who graduated from UWA with a Major in English Literature.
Sylvia was a dedicated teacher who always put her students first. Her passion was literature, particularly medieval literature. She was generous in sharing her love of reading, adding to her never-ending library, and buying books that she thought her colleagues would appreciate. She was also a grammar guru and was always the go-to for any editing advice.
As well as being a Teacher of Literature, she undertook duties as a WACE marker for many years, and mentored emerging Literature teachers, who have gone on to teach Literature throughout the State and beyond. She also served a stint in Student Services and Acting Head of Department English in 1993.
Outside of her professional life, the only thing that she loved more than books were her dogs. Sylvia was very involved in the Collie community, showing, and breeding rough collies, particularly blues. Her experience as a vet nurse was invaluable to staff seeking advice on their pets. Sylv, as she was affectionately known, was also known for her love of bright colours (most notably red) and silver jewellery around the school, often adorning herself in many pieces.
You may not know that Sylvia also created and published two short books: the Argosy of Gobbledygook and Christmas Pudding (a compilation of students’ work).
Sylvia’s total number of years of service with the Department of Education spanned an impressive 37 years and 7 months. Her contribution helped make a vital difference to the lives of students and to the broader school community and she will be missed immensely.