S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa

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S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa
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Location
S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa
Gurutalawa, Welimada

Information
Type Private
Motto Latin: Esto Perpetua
(Be Thou Forever)
Religious affiliation(s) Christianity
Denomination Anglican
Established12 May 1942;81 years ago (1942-05-12)
Founder R. L. Hayman
PrincipalU.U.K.Laksiri S.Perrera
GenderMale
Education system National Education System
Houses  Reed
  Garnier
  De Saram
  Hayman
Color(s)Dark blue and black
  
SongThomian Song
Brother Schools S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
S. Thomas' Preparatory School
S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela
Former pupils Old Thomians
Website https://www.stcguru.edu.lk

S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa is a private Christian school situated in Gurutalawa, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. It is an Anglican school administered by the Church of Ceylon. [1]

Contents

Administration

The College forms a branch of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, which is under the Anglican Church of Ceylon, is run by a Board of Governors which is chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, who is also known as the "Visitor of the College". The administration of the College in itself is headed by a headmaster who is an Anglican priest. Admission to the College is at the sole discretion of the headmaster. [2]

History

S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa was founded by Dr. R. L. Hayman in 1942, [3] [4] as a branch of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. A farm with some land and buildings was donated to the college by Mr. & Mrs. Leslie de Saram.

Due to the Japanese war threats to Colombo, during World War II, the State Council decided in February 1942 to close all schools in the Colombo District. There were over 700 boys at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and as the Warden explored possibilities of opening branches inland, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie De Seram made the generous offer of their 18-hectare (45-acre) farm at Gurutalawa.

Current status

The College is a fully fledged school catering to extra-curricular activities with a swimming pool and has facilities for nearly all sports including athletics, cricket, basketball, rugby, volleyball, squash, soccer, table tennis, hockey, badminton, swimming as well as activities like scouting, hiking and trekking. There is also the encouragement for a variety of societies and clubs, debating, oratory, oriental dancing and music. [2]

Headmasters

No.Name of Headmaster [2] Years Served
FromTo
1. W. R. L. Hayman 19421945
2.C. H. L. Davidson19461947
3. W. R. L. Hayman 19481962
4.A. J. Foster19631964 (Acting)
5.A. K. Chapman1965(Acting)
6.K. Dassanayake1965(Acting)
7.F. Jayasinghe19651968
8.E. L. Perera19681974
9.M. L. C. Ilangakoon19751977
10.S. C. H. De Silva19771981
11.E. St. P. Gunawardene19821987
12.J. De S. Jayasinghe(Acting)
13.J. B. Gunasegaram19881989
14.H. C. Goodchild19891990 (Acting)
15.C. B. Ratnayake19901997
16.L. A. M. Chandrasekera19971999 (Acting)
17.I. A. Fernando19992001
18.G. C. Mendis20012003
19.E. G. J. Canagasabey20042006
20.J. Huyghebaert2007 (Acting)
21.N. M. P. Billimoria20072012
22.Nihal Fernando20122017
23.S. P. Nesakumar20182022

Notable alumni

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References

  1. Recollections of S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa [usurped]
  2. 1 2 3 "S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa".[ non-primary source needed ]
  3. The ever ministering angel
  4. The school in the hills
  5. Late Minister Mr. Ranjan Wijeratne
  6. All about General Ranjan Wijeratne Archived 2009-04-29 at the Wayback Machine

6°50′38″N80°54′05″E / 6.84389°N 80.90139°E / 6.84389; 80.90139