| St. Joseph's College | |
|---|---|
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IN SCIENTIA ET VIRTUTE
- In Knowledge and Virtue - |
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| Location | |
| T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 Sri Lanka |
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| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1896 March 2nd |
| Grades | 1 to 13 Local Syllabus
London A/L's |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 5 to 19 |
| Color(s) | Blue & White
|
| Website | http://www.stjosephscollege.edu.lk/ |
St. Joseph's College is a Catholic educational institution in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was established in 1896 by French missionaries, with Rev Christopher Ernst Bonjean playing a leading role. The college has over 4000 students with a staff of over 200. Distinguished former students include Cardinal Thomas Cooray the first Cardinal from Sri Lanka,[1] President Ranasinghe Premadasa and Niranjan Deva-Aditya, the first person in history to be born in one continent (Asia) and elected to parliament in another continent (UK). The motto of the college is "In scientia et virtute" meaning "In Knowledge and Virtue" in Latin.
Contents |
In the year 1892, the idea of a Catholic College emerges with the proposal of the Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev.Fr. Christopher Bonjean. In the year 1892, on the 6th January, a pastoral letter was sent to all the priests espousing the desirability of building a Catholic College at St.Mary’s College premises at Mattakkuliya. In April 1892, a public meeting was held to collect funds and discuss the plans for the Catholic College. Thereafter 27 acres of Land called the ‘uplands’ was bought by the Archbishop for this project, from the government. Later however, this land was bought back by the government with compensation, and the Catholic Church bought a land at Maradana in Darley Road from an Egyptian called Arabi Pasha for the College building. On the 12th December 1894 the foundation stone was laid by the papal delegate for Asia Rev. Msgr, Zalesbbi. In the year 1896, on the 2nd March 1896, St.Joseph’s College Colombo was declared open with 211 students in the school proper and 96 students in the preparatory school with Very Rev. Fr.Charles Collin as the First Rector. In November 1896, on the 2nd March, the College building was formally declared open by Governor of Ceylon West Redgeway and was blessed by Most Rev.Msgr, Zalesbbi, in the presence of the Archbishop Rt.Rev.Fr.Melizan O.M.I. The Rector ‘s office, the College office and the class rooms were all housed in the 1st building – the Clock Tower building of the College. The College Magazine was started in the year 1905.The Bonjean Hall was the 3rd building to be completed. Fr. Charles Lytton, the 2nd Rector, planned and supervised the building project of the Bonjean Hall. Fr.Emil Nicholas O.M.I. was the 3rd Rector appointed in the year 1910. To Fr.Emil Nicholas goes the credit of primary work on the 1st Religious Association of the College – the Guild of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the year 1914, there was the appointment of the great educationist, scientist and efficient administrator Fr.Maurice J.Legoc O.M.I. the 4th Rector. In the year 1933 the present Primary building – originally named “The Maurice Block” was constructed. This building was an exact copy of the Bonjean Hall was declared open by Most Rev. Fr.Marques. The next massive building was the (south Wing) a two storied building to house the class rooms. During Fr.Maurice Legoc’s tenure of office, there was emphasis of the science subjects in the curriculum, Fr. Legoc’s favourite subject was Botany. His own publication “Tropical Botany” was used as a text book in O’ Level classes in India and Sri Lanka. In the year 1930, Fr.Maurice Legoc introduced a scheme of scholarships to the under privileged students. To extend the fruits of knowledge to the students in the outstations,Fr. Maurice Legoc commenced:
(a) St.Joseph’s College south Later St.Peter’s College in 1922 (b) St.Paul’s College Waragoda (1935) (c) St.John’s College, Dematagoda (1939)
On the 19th March 1929, the foundation stone for the College Chapel was laid by the Archbishop of Colombo. The College Chapel is a fitting memorial to Fr.Maurice Legoc. The southern end of the Primary building an exact copy of the Grotto in Lourdes was built. In the year 1940, the Very Rev.Fr.Peter A.Pillai (5th Rector) was appointed. In the year 1947 – 27 February, due to the World War 2, the College buildings were taken over by the Army. The College was in ‘exile’ from 1942–1946, branches of the College were housed in Homagama, Kalaniya, Gampaha and later at Borella. On the 30th July 1952, the swimming pool was declared open by Lord soulbury, the Governor General of Sri Lanka. after the era of Fr.Peter A.Pillai, Rev. W.L.A. Don Peter (6th Rector) was appointed as the Rector of St.Joseph’s College in 1959. Fr. Don Peter was the first diocesan priest to hold this responsible post. In 1960, after the take over of the schools by the Government the financial support was stopped by the government. The College became a private, non fee levying school. To uplift the financial situation of the College, Fr. W.L.A. Peter founded the Welfare Association, and also started a pre-school for St.Joseph’s. After the tenure of the Sinhala scholar,Fr. W.L.A. don Peter, Rev. Fr. Mervyn Weekakkody (7th Rector) was given the task of being Chief Executive of St.Joseph’s . after a brief period, Fr.Weerakkody retired as Rector and in 1974, Rev. Fr.Quintus Fernando (8th Rector) was appointed as Rector. FR. Quintus Fernando was called the architect of the green revolution at St.Joseph’s . He gave pride of pace to agriculture. The agro 74 was a great exhibition which displayed agricultural plots and stressed the importance of agriculture in the school curriculum.
The ‘Open air stadium’ was constructed during the era of Fr.Quintus. The cricket ‘Tuft Pitch’ became a reality during Fr. Quintus’s tenure of office.
On 19 September 1977, the Hon.Ranasinghe Premdasa, the first old boy Prime Minister was felicitated by the Josephian family. The work of the Premadasa Pavilion was directed by Fr. Quintus Fernando.
In the year 1979, Fr. Neville Emmanuel (9th Rector) was appointed as Rector. During the era of Fr. Neville he tried his best to re-introduce the Catholic atmosphere in the College. Fr.Neville started the scheme of granting incentives to teachers based on punctuality, attendance, good teaching etc. Fr. Neville initiated the sports council, to improve standards in the sports arena. In the year 1983, in the month of May – Rev. Fr. B. Stanley Abeysekara was appointed as the 10th Rector of St.Joseph’s College.
To provide an opportunity for deserving under-privileged students to study at St.Joseph’s, a grade 5 scholarship examination was inaugurated in the College. On the results of this examination these students were give an opportunity to study at St. Joseph’s College. During the college Prize Giving of 1986, Hon.Ranasinghe Premadas was felicitated with a special award “Jana Pujitha Keethsinghe Vidyala Puthra”. In the following year (1987) His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray, a past student of the College was conferred a very special honour – ‘Deva Dharma Keethisiri Uttunga Vidyala Puthra’. During the era of Fr. Stanley Abeysekara, the following additions and renovations to the college buildings were completed.
(a)A two storied building was completed. The top-story for the class rooms, and the ground floor for the sick room, boarders’ refectory and modern kitchen.
(b) A well equipped auditorium was built where the Chemistry labs were housed.
(c)In 1991, a three storied building was constructed for class-rooms and laboratories for the advanced level students.
(d)The Enderamulla Branch school was inaugurated.
(e)A sports complex cum auditorium was declared open by His Grace Nicholas Marcus Fernando on 19 March 1996.
The College centenary year was solemnly inaugurated. On 30 March 1996, Rev. Fr. Victor Silva (11th Rector) was appointed as Rector of St. Joseph’s College. The Choral singing at St. Joseph’s College reached very high standards, with Mr. Francis Almeida as music director. The Bonjean Hall and the College swimming pool were renovated. The introduction of the boating facilities were a valuable addition to St. Joseph’s College during the era of Fr. Victor Silva, three class room buildings were constructed for the Enderamulla branch school. The branch-school of St. Joseph’s at Kadolkelle – Negombo was inaugurated during the latter days of Fr. Victor Silva. On 3 October 2005, Rev.Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe was appointed as 12th Rector of St. Joseph’s College. A systematic staff development programme was introduced at St. Joseph’s by the Rector. During Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe’s era, different age groups of past students started undertaking different projects for the welfare of the College – innovations and refurbishment of the different buildings were undertaken by the old boys under the direction of the Rector. A three story building is nearing completion to house the class-rooms of the middle school. An extension of the Advanced Level building has been undertaken to rebuild the English Medium and Tamil Medium classes of the Advanced Level. The refurbishment of all the computer laboratories have been inaugurated. The work of computerizing different aspects of school administration and curriculum have also been completed. On the 31ST July 2009, marked the launch of the “Ten Year Vision Plan” of the College. The vision plan is to achieve excellence in education and produce the model Josehian in terms appropriate to his age and level of maturity” The plan is to produce students with an integral education, who will be men of faith, and witness to love, truth and justice. Courses in career guidance and vocational education have been commenced in the present era. Efforts are made to educate the students on the History of the College.
The school functions as an "assisted school" with substantial state funding but mainly from its old boy unions worldwide
Situated in the heart of the city, its set of buildings cover 12 acres (49,000 m2) and comprise a sports complex, and a swimming pool that is built to Olympic Standards.
The school prepares students for local Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations in Sinhalese, Tamil and English Mediums. In 1996 the latest branch School of St. Joseph's College was opened in Enderamulla, Wattala, 15 km from Colombo. Another branch school that has become a leading Catholic school in the country is St Peter's College, Colombo.Previously known as St. Joseph's South, it was built to cater to the families in the southern part of Colombo who failed to admit their sons to St. Joseph's Colombo, which has now become their main rivals and compete in sports and other activities which are known as "Battle of the Saints" in Sri Lanka.In 2009 st Joseph's won the battle after 30 years.
Grade 1 to 9 : White collared shirt with the school badge as well as Blue colored short-Pants with White socks and Black Shoes.
Grade 10 to 13 :White collared shirt with the school badge as well as White colored long-pants with white socks and black shoes.
For Special Occasions : White collared long sleeved shirt with white colored pants plus the college tie and also white socks with black shoes
Fancy Hair styles and Jewelry is stickily prohibited. and also loops attaching loops to the pants is also prohibited.
The 4 houses at St. Joseph's were named in honour of the 4 archbishop's who were influential in running this great institution in its early years.
- Bonjean
- Coudert
- Melizan
- Marque
| Rev Fr Charles Collin | 1896–1910 |
| Rev Fr Charles Lytton | 1910–1912 |
| Rev Fr Emil Nicholas | 1912–1919 |
| Rev Fr Maurice Le Goc | 1919–1940 |
| Rev Fr Peter Pillai | 1940–1961 |
| Rev Fr W.L.A.Don Peter | 1961–1971 |
| Rev Fr Mervyn Weerakkody | 1971–1974 |
| Rev Fr Quintus Fernando | 1974–1979 |
| Rev Fr Neville Emmanuel | 1979–1983 |
| Rev Fr Stanley Abeysekara | 1983–1996 |
| Rev Fr Victor Silva | 1996–2005 |
| Rev Fr Sylvester Ranasinghe | 2005–Present |
The College Anthem was composed by Edgar and J.M.L. Neydorff, and the original manuscript is dated 25 November 1920. The words are by J.M. Lanigan, OMI
Fruits of virtue and knowledge
Symbolished in yonder banner
White and blue its mystic colors
Stolen from the distant mountains
Harmonizing strong and clear
Till the mountains disappear.
Where the peerless Pearl of Indies Hides
White and Blue is nature's setting
Closely clasped by silv'ry breakers
Round it heave the swelling billows
Fretted from the flowing tide
Fretted breakers, swelling billows
Where the Ard-righ of the mountains
Round his throne a thousand vassals
Thunder back their monarch's greeting
Lightning-darts their quivers keeping
'Neath his canopy of blue
Snow-clad peak and bended heavens
Where our Lady, Queen of Heaven
In the grotto o'er the torrent
White and Blue her robe and girdle
Then we'll wear Our Lady's colours
Then Hurrah for White and Blue
Still we'll wear Our Lady's colours
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