| C.M.S. Ladies’ College, Colombo | |
|---|---|
|
Haec Victoria Nostra Fides
Latin - (This is our victory, even our faith) |
|
| Location | |
| Colombo |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Independent Private |
| Established | 1900 |
| Founder | Lilian Nixon |
| Principal | Nirmali Wickramasinghe |
| Gender | Girls |
| Age | 2,1/2 to 19 |
| Enrollment | 1700 |
| Colour(s) | Red White |
| Website | www.ladiescollege.lk |
C.M.S Ladies' College is a private girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is located at 66, Sir Ernest De Silva Mawatha (formerly Flower Road), Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
The college was founded by the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) in 1900. Its Latin motto is "Haec Victoria Nostra Fides", which means "This is our victory, even our faith".
Ladies' College began with Lilian Nixon, an Irish woman of 26, fired with a belief in the importance of education for women, and with the courage and the vision to come out to a far-flung colony of the British Empire Ceylon to found a school for women. Ladies College was founded by her in 1900 in a large bungalow in Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo, with two students enrolled.
In 1914 Lilian Nixon resigned due to ill health and the college registered as a Grant in Aid school.
The period 1917–1944 for Ladies College marked the stewardship of a new Principal, Miss Gwen Opie.
Once Ladies College was established as a Grant-in-Aid school, Miss Opie began new buildings for the school.
Miss Opie died in 1944 and was buried in General Cemetery Kanatte. Miss Rita Opie took over as Acting Principal.
In 1945 there was a push towards abolishment of tuition fees in state aided denominational schools. Facilities in terms of teachers and equipment would be determined by the state which would bear the cost of the running of the school.
“The efforts to mitigate the evils of division inherent in teaching in three languages in a multi racial school, have proved effective. The fellowship engendered in Ladies” College remained unbroken during the may riots: only friendliness, co-operation and helpfulness were shown among pupils, staff and servants.”
In 1964 Miss Hitchcock was appointed Acting Principal. Miss Simon pushed to set up pre-vocational guidance services that would lead on to vocational guidance and help students find new careers.
Olive Hitchcock was appointed Acting Principal in 1964 on the retirement of Miss Simon. She was Miss Simon’s trusted lieutenant and advisor during the difficult years of shifting educational policy.
The decade that followed Mrs. Gunawardena’s appointment as Principal saw a further change of course in the country, to a policy of increasing State control. It was followed eight years later by an about turn to a liberalized economy that encouraged private enterprise.
Together with encouragement of sports activities there was the development of aesthetics. A rich tradition of music, drama and singing in English and more recently in the second half of the century in Sinhala and Tamil was encouraged. Whilst the need for English was downgraded in state schools, Ladies College saw fit to continue to view English as a modern living language. English therefore continued to be used as the medium of communication in the school.
"The most important fund raising project was in 1975 when the OGA collected money to establish the Department of Vocational Studies. This was to serve both the school and the community. It arose out of a need to cater to students who did not wish to continue at the universities. It also catered to a need in the wider community and society at large – equipping young people with the necessary skills to function effectively in their workplaces." [1]
In 1998 Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala was appointed to succeed Mrs. Gunawardena. The centenary Anniversary celebrations started on Founders day and continued throughout the year with various events.
It can be said that at Ladies College the Principal is required to entrench whatever changes she brings about within a deeply rooted tradition and customs. This is indeed a complex challenge, but the school needs to surmount this seemingly paradoxical situation if the institution is to continue to play its role it has for the past 100 years.
The existence of an institution for over a century in itself demonstrates its ability to survive. To go a step further, and thrive within a turbulent period indicates a remarkable ability to adapt. Ladies College similar to other institutions could not escape the shifting patterns of time. “In the year 2000 we look back with pride and see an institution so deeply rooted, that it was able to weather the storms of a century. The effects of the changes that are being introduced at present can only be judged by future generations.” [2]
Mrs. Nirmali Wickremasinghe was formerly a teacher of English in the Ordinary Level classes.[3]. She was appointed Principal in 2003.
C.M.S. Ladies' College today has established itself as one of Sri Lanka's leading schools with a multi-etchnic and multi-religious student population. It has a long tradition of empowering girls, of all races and creeds, through education. Currently, the school has about 1700 students on its roll, almost 200 staff. It offers education from pre-school through to the G.C.E. Advanced Level (local and London exams).[4]
At the GCE A/Level (local) Examination in 2007, 82% of the students qualified for university admission while over 50% of the students scored a final average of over 80% at G.C.E A/Level (London) Examination held in June 2008.[5]
Its founder, Ms Lilian Nixon, stated that the school must be a place for three things:
"A place for sound learning, a place for a full, varied and natural life and a place for spiritual growth within the life of the church."[6]
Our Father, by whose servants
Our house was built of old,
Whose hand hath crowned Her children
With blessings manifold,
For Thine unfailing mercies
Far- strewn along our way,
With all who passed before us,
We praise Thy name to-day.
The changeful years unresting
Their silent course have sped,
New comrades ever bringing
In comrades steps to tread;
And some are long forgotten,
Long spent their hopes and fears;
Safe rest they in Thy keeping,
Who changest not with years.
They reap not where they laboured,
We reap what they have sown
Our harvest may be garnered
By ages yet unknown
The days of old have dowered us
With gifts beyond all praise:
Our Father, make us faithful
To serve the coming days.
Before us and beside us
Still holden in Thine hand,
A cloud unseen of witness,
Our elder comrades stand:
One family unbroken,
We join, with one acclaim,
One heart, one voice uplifting,
To glorify Thy name.
1. Loos House - Motto: 'The utmost for the highest' 2. Whitney House - Motto: 'Nothing less than the best' 3. Nixon House - Motto: 'Excelsior' 4. Dale House - Motto: 'No attainment without effort'
The school uniform of Ladies' College is a white, square-neck sleeveless dress.
The Ladies' College Hall is used for assemblies and school concerts, assemblies are held without fail every Wednesday. It is also the regular concert venue of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, since 1958.[7]
The College Chapel, called the Chapel of the Hope of the World, was begun in 1933. It stands where the Hanover Villa (bought in 1928) was situated. The first prayer service was held on 07 September 1933. [8] It is in use for choir performances by present and past pupils, and is also used by the best choirs in Colombo for prayer services.