St. John's College, Jaffna

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St. John's College
Image:Stjohns college jaffna.jpg
Motto: Lux in tenebris lucet
(In the darkness shines the light)
Established: 1823
Type: Private
Principal: S. Thanapalan
Location: Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Website: [1]

Coordinates: 9°39′26.30″N, 80°1′36.50″E

St. John's College is one of the famous institutions in Sri Lanka. Which was established in 1823.It was first started in Nallur by Church Missionary Society and later shifted to Chundikuli. It is fairly a big college located in an extent of about thirteen acres. It has classes from year one up to Advanced level. It is also one of the private schools in Jaffna district. Though this school was started by Church Missionary Society in early days, now students from all religious groups; are Christians, Hindus & Muslims study here.

It celebrated its 175th year anniversary in 1998.This school has produced a lot of prominent citizens who are members of Parliament, doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, professors & many others who are now in high positions. This school is not only famous in academic field but also famous in sports activities especially in cricket. This college stands aloft during the time of big match Battle of the north when thousands and thousands of cricket fans gather to watch its performance in the cricket match. This school has various clubs unions and other organizations which keep the students busy. The Old boys association whose members are found In Various countries of the world is proud of its long lasting services. It is the O.B.A which has built more buildings and has funded for the purchase of computers, library books, lab equipments & sports materials. Let us hope that the service intended by this famous college would be remembered in Srilanka for years to come. College milestones

1823 Rev. Joseph Knight - inaugurated the Nallur English Seminary with Seven students with classes held in his Bungalow. The Bible was made the most prominent subject of study along with a good secular Education.







1831 The Bishop of Calcutta visited the Seminary and examined some of the classes of the Seminary with which he appeared to be well pleased.


1845 The English Seminary was transferred to Chundikuli and school was carried on in rented premises. The school was now named The Chundikuli Seminary. Rev. J.T.Johnstone was appointed Principal and Mr. John Hensman as Head Master. The Old Portuguese Church of St. John the Baptist at Chundikuli was handed over to the C.M.S and services were held in the Church by Rev. Johnstone and the students of the Seminary attended these services.


1846 Rev. Pargiter shifted the school from the rented building and temporary buildings put up by Rev. Johnstone, to a large hall adjoining the east end of the old church.


1851 The seminary was divided into 06 classes


1859 The Old church was demolished and the present one put up.


1861 A new school building was put up by Rev. Pargiter. Part of the land was given by

          Mr. P.A.Dyke the Government Agent.


1862 Government Grant in aid was relinquished by the CMS as restrictions were placed upon Scriptural instruction. For the next 10 years school was maintained by fees


1876 Rev. D.Wood bought an additional piece of land on which in 1888 Evarts House was erected.


1889 Permanent Boarding house was constructed with funds from old boys to perpetuate the

          memory of Mr. Evarts.


1890 First school Library Association was formed.


1891 The school celebrated the Jubilee of its work at Chundikuli and to mark the occasion was given

          the name St. John's College”. The number on roll was 250. First time a Prize Giving is mentioned.


1893 The school was affiliated to Calcutta University as a Second Grade College.


1896 First person to graduate from the College - Mr. William Wadsworth


1901 A new hall with four classrooms was formally opened by the Bishop of Colombo. Dr Copleston.


1904 The Old Boys Association was formed.


1908 The College Crest introduced


1909 Introduction of the Prefect System into College life.


1913 The Handy Memorial Library was built and donated to the College by DrJ.M.Handy.


1914 Robert Williams Hall was completed. The Prefects Guild was formed.


1915 Formation of the Social Service Union.


1916 St. John's College forms the first Scout Troop in Jaffna.



1926 The House System established with 8 school houses Knight, Pargiter. Adley, Jonnstone,

          Williams, Evarts, Handy, Thompson.


1928 Mahtma Gandhi and Mrs. Gandhi visited the College.



1941 Work on the Robert Williams' Hall and a new Dining Hall was completed.


1950 New Block for Junior School.


1951 St. John’s joins the free education system.


1953 Station (Tamil) School amalgamated with St. John’s. The property adjoining Fleming House was purchased.


1954 The Mahendra Theatre was purchased by the C.M.S for Rs. 65,000/= and lent to the College for the use as a hostel named “Peto Hostel”


1973 Ter Jubilee of St. John's. Ter Jubilee Souvenir published


1980 Vocational Training institute for automobile engineering opened.


1981 Leo Club inaugurated at St. John's.


1987 I.P.K.F Operation, Oct-Dec College not in a position to function. Extensive damage to

         College due to shelling.


1988 Laying of foundation for new science complex.


1990 College couldn't function normally.


1992 Mr. N.J.Gnanaponrajah appointed as Primary School Head Master


1995 Exodus of Jaffna Population.


1996 Opening of pocket schools comprising of students from St. John's College and Chundikuli Girls College,

        in Point-Pedro, Chavakachcheri and Kilinochchi. The first two closed after two days due to 

       military operations. The Kilinochchi School continued till July.


1996 School re-opened with 434 students and 23 teachers.


1997 Almost all damaged buildings repaired. Peto Memorial Hall given a new look.


1999 The Administrative Complex funded by the Norwegian Government was declared open


1999 The College Day was held for the first time. From 2000 onwards it has been celebrated on

         May 6th which falls on St John the Evangelist Day.


2000 St. John’s with Chundikuli functions at Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai due to displacement.


2002 Rev N J Gnanaponrajah was appointed Area Dean for the Jaffna Archdeaconry, Church of Ceylon.


2002 The College Hostel was revived after it was closed in October 1990


2002 The Primary School Building was declared open by Dr E S Thevasagayam


2003 English Medium in grade six was introduced.


2005 New Staff Room was declared open by the Ven S P Nesakumar, the Archdeacon of Jaffna.


2006 9th Period – Activity Period was introduced


2006 The Rev N J Gnanaponrajah was appointed Acting Principal.


2006 “Oath for Students” and “Oath for Teachers” were introduced.


2006 The Rev N J Gnanaponrajah was appointed Principal.


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