Three Scholarships Awarded at OSC
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The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) is the only school in Sri Lanka that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, a rigorous university preparation programme, which provides a solid base in all areas of knowledge aimed at developing a student as a whole. It follows an inquiry-based approach in gaining and applying knowledge and its qualification is widely respected by universities all over the world.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma, often leads to acceptance to competitive universities, offers of financial assistance, and advanced university placement.
OSC awards scholarships to a limited number of highly capable students who hold Sri Lankan nationality. These scholarships are offered based on past academic results, entrance examinations, and a formal interview. English language proficiency is required as the medium of instruction is English. The ideal candidate will exhibit academic excellence, critical thinking ability, and good leadership skills. The school hopes that the scholarship award recipients will contribute to its community through strengthening links to Sri Lankan culture, providing leadership in community service and extracurricular activities, and adding to the overall standard through academic prowess.
This school year, three scholarships were awarded to three deserving students. Twelve bright students were invited for the final interviews. They are now following the International Baccalaureate programme in the school. One of the recipients of this award is Imandi Wijayaratne. She is a former student of Sujatha BV in Colombo. In her former school she was the Head Prefect, Leader of the Eastern Band, and Chairperson of the Senior English Literary Association amongst other involvements.
At the GCE Ordinary Level examination she did well to obtain A grades for all 9 subjects offered. She had been offered scholarships by other schools too. She states, “I have enjoyed every moment of the past few months at OSC and I am very happy that I made the choice to study here”.
Ashvini Wijayapala excelled at St. Bridget’s Convent obtaining A grades for all nine subjects offered at the GCE O/L examination. She is a talented ballet dancer and skillful with drama and in swimming. In her own words “I was thrilled to learn that I was awarded a scholarship at OSC. It changed my life for the better.
The school community has been very welcoming and helpful. The teaching methods used in the classroom, although quite different from what I am used to, are far more interactive and engaging, easing the learning process”. Thevuni Kumarasena who had been a former student of The British School in Colombo is following the IB Middle Years Programme. According to her, “I wanted to join The Overseas School of Colombo because it would give me a better education. Also, OSC has a very close and diverse community and that would help prepare me for university and the real world”.
Past scholarship recipients have praised and appreciated the inquiry-based approach to learning adopted at the school, and the experience of integrating with students from all over the world – as the OSC student community consists of over 40 different nationalities. These scholarship students have played leading roles in community service projects and have excelled in sporting competitions held amongst similar schools in the South Asian region. The process of awarding scholarships usually begins in the month of February and the awards are made by May.
We wish this year’s scholarship award winners success in all their endeavours, and a lovely experience at OSC.
R.N.A. de Silva
ndesilva@osc.lk
The writer is a member of the faculty of The Overseas School of Colombo and a senior examiner for Mathematics at the International Baccalaureate Organization.