Great impact by Rathnasiri Royal College Elpitiya
View(s):By Sujitha Miranda
Rathnasiri Royal College Elpitiya has made a great impact in the Elpitiya Educational Zone during the past. The School was initially
Principal Mrs.S.G.M.M.S.Kumarihamy
established as a primary school on January 1, 1959 with only 50 students. It was inaugurated by Ven. Batuwanhena Rathanasiri Thero and the founder principal was Mr.H.V. Marathenis. During the 80’s, the number of students decreased and as a remedy the Late Principal, Mr.P. Jinadasa, of G/Ananda M.M.V. Elpitiya took the initiative to turn the school into a primary school and parents preferred to admit their children to this establishmentl with the hope of sending their children to a popular school in the area.
The first two storied building was donated by the chief incumbent of Kandewihara temple Ven. Batuwanhena Buddha Rakkhitha Thero as Batuwanhena is the home town of the Thero. Although many devoted principals served the school Mrs. L.M. Gamage and Mr.A.H. Sirisena were the pioneers who worked hard and faced many trials to make this school an eminent establishment. The school has expanded over the years and has
The College Dancing Group
given a panoramic view to the Elpitiya-Aluthgama Main Road.
At present, Mrs. S.G.M.M.S.Kumarihamy is serving the school with great enthusiasm and energy to collect funds to make the school an appealing place for students. She has taken steps to house a Computer Unit with 15 computers under the sponsorship of the Commercial Bank Elpitiya and the premises was donated by the Ceylinco Insurance Cooperation for the students to improve their Dancing skills.
As a school which houses Grades 1-11, the student population is over 1500 and the academic staff exceeds over 40 with the non academic staff offering priceless service to the school. They endeavour and dedicate themselves to develop the school. The present principal is assisted by the deputy principal Mrs. S.S.I. Withana and the principal says that she always gets the fullest support from the Zonal Director and his staff.
The Scouts
The school is doing very well in the academic field through the efforts of a dedicated group of teachers. The results at the public exams indicate that the school’s academic standards have been rising over the years. For the first time, the first batch faced G.C.E.O/L exam in 2011 and 66% qualified to follow the Advanced Level. Every year the results of the Grade 5 scholarship exam were able to beat only the leading school in the area. In 2012, 36 students got through the examination. The school has won the “Jayasankha” awards which is given by Southern Province Education Ministry to the school that has got a higher result percentage at the Grade 5 scholarship exam.
Rathanasiri Royal College provides facilities not only for the National Curriculum
The Computer Unit
but also for the co-curricular activities. Though there is no playground facility, the students have succeeded at the John Tarbat sports festival organized by the Ministry of Education. They have also gained colours at the Southern Provincial Sports Festival in 2010. At present the school plays an active role in chess and students have participated in major chess competitions. They always strive to get best results at such contests.
The College Primary Band
Quite a lot of clubs and societies have been created in the school and they are doing well. They have also provide useful programmes to strengthen the standards of their personality. Scouting, Environmental Corp, Buddhist Society, and the Health XClub are very active in the school. The Western Band of the school consisting of Grade 2 students adds colour at every school function.
The school steps forward under the motto of the school “Be a lamp for yourself”. Now, the school has become a prestigious establishment and the principal, Mrs. S.G.M.M.S. Kumarihamy says that she has always admired the immense support given by the parents and the SDB. She thanked the Ven. Batuwanhena Buddha Rakkhitha Thero, the Minister of Resettlement M.H. Gunarathne Weerakoon, Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijelal Education Minister of Southern Province Chandima Rasaputhra, members of Southern Provincial Council including Chamli Withanachchi,.Ajith Prasanna, the chief organizer Benthara Elpitiya Electorat .Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe, former chair person Mr. Ranjith Jayasinghe, The present chair person Mr. Amila Harshana Kariyawasam, well wishers and teachers, for their full fledged cooperation.
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