Breck's new break

Prof. W. R. Breckenridge is Trinity's new Principal

Dr. Breck as he was affectionately known to his wide circle of colleagues and students at the University and "Break" to many generations of Trinitians is the second son of one of Trinity's illustrious and distinguished teachers of yesteryear - the late R.R. Breckenridge. His two brothers, the elder Karan of the Foreign Service and the younger brother Mano, the actor predecassed him.

As a student at Trinity, Breck rapidly achieved distinction at studies and extracurricular activities in Trinity's famed halls of academe.

With the return from England of the suave debonair Hilary Abeyratne to the teaching staff of Trinity, 1952 became a memorable year for Breck as a student of the JSC class. Hilary Abeyratne taking on his first assignment as class master of the then JSC class introduced to the students for the first time the concept of social studies as part of the curriculum of studies replacing the conventional subjects such as Civics, Geography and History. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Abeyratne's teaching talents far outshone even those in higher seats of learning.

Celebrities as teachers from Oxford and Cambridge were Rev. John Elliot and Gordon Burrows who taught English Literature and Latin respectively. Of course the unforgettable teacher of Mathematics dressed in his customary Sherwani attire was Mr. A.M. Sundaramaniam who left an indelible mark on his students of that year. 

No small wonder that his expressions in class which are not being repeated here and which still rebound in memory evoked instant and unstoppable fits of laughter that eventually necessitated corporal punishment. 

Quite apart from brilliance in the study of science subjects Breck was a lover of music, his best loved singer being Frank Sinatra and other favourites Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong and Nat King Cole. 

In the year 1957 as an undergraduate at the Science Faculty he would take time out on Saturday mornings during the April vacation to cycle along the various roads in Colombo and as a lover of nature would admire the verdant foliage, the blue sky, the bright flowers that adorned the landscape of Colombo and would often say "How happily they grow" very much like his brilliant teacher of Botany, the late W.A.V. Sinnathamby who taught Botany in its natural habitat. 

During a short stint as Acting Principal some years ago he proved his capabilities as a strict disciplinarian and a superbly efficient administrator. At the same time he often spoke of nostalgic moments as he sat on the Principal's chair.

"When to the sessions of sweet silent thought summon up remembrances of things past" - Shakespeare.

Above all being a keen and devoted Christian, what is most pleasant about him is his sincere simplicity, his concern for others and his amazing capacity to endear himself to all who know him.

His assumption of office as Principal is a reinvestment of the best of Trinity traditions and his period of service in TCK is bound to be a labour of love and devotion to a school he loves so dearly.

Generations of old boys, contemporaries, and classmate friends and well-wishers of Trinity welcome his appointment as principal. 

In looking to the end of achieving a valuable purpose for the school, many memories of a past glory will inspire him to forge a greater glory for the future to make Trinity the best school of all.

"They that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they who instruct many to Justice as stars for all eternity" - Book of Daniel- Bible.

"According to the seed that's sown,
So is the fruit ye reap therefrom:
Doer of good will gather good,
Doer of evil, evil reaps,
Sown is the seed, and thou shalt taste,
The fruits thereof." (Sanyutta Nikaya)

-Ranjan Abeysekera

More Plus * Spend or depart?

Return to the Plus Contents