All set for S. Thomas’ Prep Night Walk
String bag: One of the many memorabilia items
It’s time to get your walking shoes on- this time at dusk on Saturday, February 1, as S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Kollupitiya returns with another school walk, albeit with a difference – it is Sri Lanka’s first-ever school-led Night Walk.
The Night Walk is one of the first fund raising projects for a Primary Section building for the school that will provide ample accommodation for Grade 1 to 5 classes as well as state-of-the-art facilities to foster a better STEM education system.
“Present boys, parents, past-Prepites, well-wishers; they are all going to come together as a community. One of the things that we have tried to emphasise in the past is to reconnect with the school and the other is that we can bring people together so that we can build a community of peace in this country,” says Headmaster of S. Thomas’ Prep, Father Dushantha Rodrigo on why participation at the walk is important.
Father Rodrigo tells us that events such as these bring out the best in students as they are quite eager to show off their school spirit, in the knowledge that they are contributing to the betterment of the school.
Currently the Primary section is housed in three separate buildings and he says that plans for a hostel, day-care, congregation centre and arts based facilities are being planned to nurture the creative side of students.
As expected with all new exciting things, there has been a lot of planning and behind-the-scenes action taking place, not to mention much brainstorming and many innovative solutions by the organisers.
Headmaster Father Rodrigo
“The walk will start from Baladaksha Mawatha (near the John Keells Waterfront) and go all the way up to Galle Face, passing the roundabout, the school and towards the Kollupitiya junction turning into Dharmapala Mawatha,” explains Chairperson for the Nightwalk, Hiran Molligoda.
The walk will then continue along Perahera Mawatha, turning into Rotunda Gardens and heading back to Prep. It is the same route that was done in 2017 for a previous S. Thomas’ Prep walk.
“We want to keep it very small because it is a walk. Most often, walks are not usually a walk but a vehicle parade. Therefore we want to stick to a very short area so that everybody can walk,” Hiran elaborates.
“It’s like a Perahera,” laughs General Secretary of the Old Boys’ Union of S.Thomas’ Preparatory School Imran Hassan “We have been thinking of ideas on how to make it more attractive. Nobody can see anything in the dark, so we have to think of how to illuminate everything. It’s a new concept.”
Imran is also in charge of the fun fair activities that will take place at the school premises following the walk. Activites, music and fellowship and some delicious food stalls await the walkers and other visitors at the school premises.
Imran Hassan
The walk will begin at 6.45 p.m. and is scheduled to end by 8.30 p.m. with the fun fair taking place only till 11 p.m. due to security reasons.
Hiran Molligoda
There are also quite a number of memorabilia items up for sale which will no doubt, be in great demand. Deputy Chairman of the S. Thomas Prep Night Walk Fayyaz Mukthar tells us about the cricket bags, caps, umbrellas, key tags, mugs, shirts and more, all proudly carrying the Prep School logo that will be up for grabs.
From illuminated caps, flags, floats and torches lighting the way, the S. Thomas’ Prep Night Walk is sure to be a memorable experience for the alumni, students, teachers, supporters and family as they walk for a good cause.
For more information contact the Prep Night Walk and Fun Fair 2020 Secretariat on 071-079 5495 or 0114062915. Email them on prepnightwalk2020@gmail.com
For more details see their website www.prepwalk.lk and their Facebook page www.facebook.com/prep walklk