The S. Sylvester’s flag is flying high in sports and education
View(s):St Sylvester’s College Kandy is a leading boys’ schools in Kandy. The institution caters to children from every walk of life.
Principal T.R.S. Meetiyagoda
This prestigious institution began as a separate institution on November 1, 1940 by Rev. Fr. D. Robert and Perera O.S.B. as the Principal. The college owed its inception to the foresight of his lordship Bishop Regna and Abbot Weerasinghe, the heads of the Sylvestro-Benedictine congregation. They felt that a good Catholic school in the Kandy town was a prime need, once St. Anthony’s was completely shifted to its home on the banks of the Mahaweli at Katugastota, Rev Father Robert was given the gigantic task of rearing the new school which had just been born. Starting with only 250 pupils and 12 teachers in 1940, St. Sylvester’s made name for itself in the field of education, not only in Kandy but also throughout the length and breadth of the island.
Father Robert was not expected to do big things at St. Sylvester’s. The buildings were not teeming with scholars, the laboratories were empty, and libraries were without books. Even the wherewithal to run the school was not available. It is said that he had to start with an over draft, but the picture of the institution now is a very different one. It is full to capacity, and its financial stability is assured. The authoritarian of the Sylvestro-Benedictines intended originally to develop St. Sylvester’s only as a junior school and affiliated to St. Anthony’s but such restrictions did not dampen the enthusiasm of Father Robert.
From time to time St.Sylvester’s was strengthened by the Late Mr. D.J.N.Senevirathne, Late Mr. K.S.Gunarathne, Late Mr. W.B.
The appearance of the college
Gopallawa, Late Mr. B. Nillegoda, Mr. A.B. Herath, and Mr. G.W. Abeysinghe becoming the principals in succession. At present principal Mr. T.R.S. Meetiyagoda is doing yeomen service to this school.
Presently St. Sylvester’s is boosted with over 3600 students, 170 teachers and another 10 student teachers who are in their internship and nearly 12 non academic staff. The current principal has decentralized the administration to a committee called the Central Management Committee which is empowered by the Principal, Deputy Principal, the Sectional Heads and the Subject Heads for smooth management.
Since its inauguration, St Sylvesters has kept its dignity by maintaining the historical values of the Central Hill.
By preventing its vision and mission, St. Sylvester’s always tries to put its full power to empower the Sylvestrian gentlemen to the challenges of the future. Such Sylvestrians can be seen every nook and corner of the world. They have brought honour to their Alma Mater by their dedication and respect. The present Navy Commander Jayanath Kollambage is one of them.
The school infrastructure and the facilities have been expanded over the years and presently Advance Level, Science and Commerce
College gymnastic team
classes are conducted in all three mediums. The present Sylvestrians have produced excellent results with the help of capable, committed, well equipped staff. In the G.C. E. (A/L) annually more 100 to 150 students have obtained entrance to universities in all three mediums.
As education is vital for administration since its inauguration, students have been encouraged to do well in every public examination in order to show their capabilities to the country. Students, from Grade 5 scholarship to A/L, has brought honour to their Alma Mater by achieving high ranks. M.H Dissanayake, N.H.Koliya Bandara, A.R.B. Dissanayake, A.S.B. Dissanayake and C.G.V. Eranga had gained district ranks 9, 10, 14, 22 and 30 in Bio Science and mathematics and Science
Army Cadet Corps
respectively. The percentage has become nearly 50% in 2012 Science subjects. Ten students have done well in the Commerce stream and have established their positions in universities.
The passing percentage of the G.C.E. (O/L) has also increased up to 87.71% due to the commitment of the teachers and the students. The English medium has shown continuous progress getting 100% while the Tamil medium has also shown significant progress in both G.C.E. (O/L) and (A/L) results.
Extra and co-curricular activities play a major role in the school. M.C. Peiris has become the best Explorer Scout at the All Island Inter-School Scout Exploration Competition 2012. R.J.K.V.S. Ranathunga and P. Niroshan earned the Merit Awards in the Sri Lanka Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad Competition 2012. The St. Sylvester’s Debating team reached the quarter-finals at the All Island Inter-School Debate Competition – “The Debater” organised by MTV Sports (Pvt.) Ltd. N.Z. Mohommad and N.M. Naflan became the best achievers. H.H. Samarakkodi , L. Udurawana, P.B. Undupitiya, A. Weebedde gained special prizes at the Australian Chemistry Quiz. The school Interact Club emerged the best interact club in the island. Many members of the Interact Club obtained severalawards in different categories.
Among other outstanding achievements, the school Shakespeare Drama Circle has shown excellent results by taking first place in
College Naval Cadet Wing
Central Province and they represented the Central Province at the All Island Poetic Drama Category as well.
The school Eastern Cadet Band was placed third at the All Island Eastern Cadet Bands. The Army Cadet Platoon were runners up of the 2nd Battalion Assessment Camp while the Naval Wing Cadet Platoon became All Island Naval champions.
The college Music Band was placed second at the All Island Folk Music category and were placed third in the Hindi Film Song Category.
A/L Achievers with The President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Cricket, rugby, boxing, gymnastics and athletics are the major sports among the 52 co-curricular activities in this school. The school boxers were Champions at the Gen. Jagath Jayasooriya Trophy championships. Sahan Chandru was the Best Boxer at the T.B. Jaya Competition. The Sylvester’s Gymnastic team were provincial champions and T.N.Karunarathne and H.M.N.K. Karunarathne have been selected to the Sri Lanka Junior Athletics Pool, while I.D. Wijerathne has selected for the 9th Youth Asian games in China this year.
The outstanding achievements in extracurricular activities and the highest rankings in the public examinations, has placed the Sylvestrian flag at the peak of Sri Lankan education.
- Sujitha Miranda
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