150 Years of Thomian Heritage
S. Thomas’ College which is one of the best schools in the world had been standing in our island for 150 years. She is a school which is being run by the Church of Ceylon.
It was in 1845 that the 1st Anglican Bishop of Colombo the Rt. Revd James Chapman set foot on our island. His first objective and vision was to start a Cathedral Church and a School connected with it. The School being a place to prepare Ceylonese children that they may enter priesthood so to preach the gospel and to make the children good citizens under the discipline and supervision of Christianity. By God’s grace on the 21st of December 1849 on St. Thomas’ Day the foundation stone was laid in Mutwal and on the 3rd of February 1851 the Preparatory School was open. The Christ Church Cathedral which was also the Cathedral of the Diocese was also situated in the College Grounds.
The School grew from strength to strength being nurtures by many Wardens starting with only 54 students increasing up to 2500 today. Revd Cyril Wood took oats as the 1st Warden in Mutwal. In 1878 Revd Edward Miller became the Warden of S. Thomas’ College , who was responsible for the introduction of the College Colours : Blue , Black and Blue. He also founded the Old Boys Association and the system of Prefects in School..
At the turn of the new century S. Thomas’ College saw the new reigns of Warden Stone who reassembled the School in Mount Lavinia in the year of 1918. It was in his regime that the College Song was introduced. The College was also gifted with the Chapel that is the center of worship in School. The Chapel of the Transfiguration was dedicated on the 13th February 1927 by Bishop Carpenter-Garnier in the days of Warden K. C. McPherson. He was succeeded by Canon R.S. de Saram who became the longest serving Warden from 1932 to 1958. During his regime the excisting College Crest was introduced. The Crest which is similar to the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Colombo was based on Mathew 10:16 “ Behold I send you forth as sheep in midst of wolves , be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves”. It also has the red Passion Cross with a green serpent entwined. Above it the flying dove with an olive branch in its beak. The Bishop’s mitre is also placed above symbolizing the guidance and power of the Holy Ghost and the authority of the Church over the College. It was also in Warden de Seram’s time that the Swimming Pool which was one of the first in the island was built by Dr.R.L. Hayman. Mr. David Paynter created the Mural in the Chapel which depicts the transfiguration of our Lord, in the days of Warden Selvaratnam, which is one of the priceless icons of S. Thomas’ College.
During the time of Warden Neville de Alwis we saw the rising of the College Gymnasium and Sports Complex which was used for the SAF Games in Colombo. It was during his time that the 75th Anniversary of shifting to Mount Lavinia was celebrated.
Over the past 150 years S. Thomas’
College has produced many gentlemen who have worked for the betterment of the
country. A special mention should be made of the 4 Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka
; Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake the first Premier of independent Ceylon, Hon. Dudley
Senanayake the 2nd Premier , Hon. S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake and Hon. W.
Dahanayake. The achievements of S.T.C. are far too numerous to be mentioned .
Now the School is celebrating her sequicentenial anniversary and we wittnessed the arrival of the 9th Warden Dr. David Ponniah on the 16th of January 2001.The anniversary Celebrations started with a Thanksgiving Service held in the College Chapel followed by a special Assembly held in the College Hall on the 3rd of February . A commemorative stamp was also issued and the College Heritage museum was opened followed by a three day Fair.
Christian values were the corner stone on which the school was formed. The College has wall prepared and preserved traditions and values which are being handed down from generation to generation .
May it be said that S. Thomas’ College should be flourished for the greater glory of God and the well being of the church and the Nation.