St Sylvester's College, Kandy (ශාන්ත සිල්වෙස්තර විද්යාලය, මහනුවර) is a college in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
| St. Sylvester's College | |
|---|---|
| Motto |
FORTITER IN RE (Success trough dedication) |
| Established | 1940 |
| Type | Public School / Boys |
| Principal | Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda |
| Students | 3000+ |
| Location | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Colours | Maroon Ivory Blue |
| Website | www.sylvesterscollege.com |
Contents |
St. Sylvester’s began as a separate institution on 1 November 1940 with very Rev. Fr. D. Robert. Perera O.S.B. as the principal. The college owed its inception to the foresight of his lordship Bishop regna and Abbot Weerasinghe, the heads of the sylvestro-benedictine congregation. They felt that a good catholic school in Kandy town was a prime need, once St. Anthony’s had been completely shifted to its home on the banks of the Mahaweli at Katugastota. Rev father Robert was given the tremendous task of rearing the new that had just been born. St. Sylvester’s had made name for itself in the field of education, not only in Kandy but also throughout the length and breadth of the island. Starting with a mere 250 pupils and 12 teachers in 1940.
Father Robert was not expected to do big things at St. Sylvester’s. The buildings were not teeming with scholars, the laboratories were empty, and libraries were without books. Even the wherewithal to run the school was not available. It is said that he had to start with a over draft, but the picture of the institution now is a very different one. It is full to capacity, and its financial stability is assured. The authoritarian of the Sylvestro-Benedictines intended originally to develop St. Sylvester’s only as a junior school and affiliated to St. Anthony’s but such restrictions were not dampen the ardour of Father Robert. He early had visions of his institution as a collegiate school, second to one in the Island.
Founder of the Sylvestrians was born to the noble family of the Gozzolini at Osimo,Ascoli Piceno, Italy in 1177. Died on 26 November 1267. He was sent to study jurisprudence at Bologna and Padua but, feeling within himself a call to the ecclesiastical state, abandoned the study of law for that of theology and Holy Scripture, giving long hour daily to prayer. On his return home we are told that his father, angered at his change of purpose, refused to speak to him for ten years. Sylvester now accepted a canonry at Osimo and devoted himself to pastoral work with such zeal as to arouse the hostility of his bishop, whom he had respectfully rebuked for the scandals caused by the prelate’s irregular life. The saint was threatened with the loss of his canonry, but decided to leave the world on seeing the decaying corpse of one who had formerly been noted for great beauty. In 1227 he retired to a desert place about thirty miles from Osimo and lived there in the utmost poverty until he was recognized by owner of the land, a certain nobleman named Conrad, Who offered him a better site for his hermitage. From this spot he was driven by damp and next established himself at Grotta Fucile, where he eventually built a monastery of his order. In this place his penances were most severe, for he lived on raw herbs and water and slept on the bar e ground. Disciples flocked to him seeking his direction, and it became necessary to choose a rule According to the legend the various founders appeared to him in a vision, each begging him to adopt his rule. St. Sylvester chose for his followers that of St. Benadict and built his first monastery on Monte Fano, where, like another St. Benadict, he had first to destroy the remains of a pagan temple. In 1247 he obtained from Innocent IV, at Lyons, a bull confirming his order, and before his death founded a number of monasteries. An account of his miracles and of growth of his cultus will be found in Bolzonetti. His body was disinterred and placed in a shrine (1275-1285) and is still honored in the church of Monte Fano. Clement IV first recognized the tile of blessed popularly bestowed on Sylvester, who was inscribed as a saint in the Roman Martyrology by order of Clement VIII (1598). Leo XIII extended his office and Mass to the Universal Church. His feast is kept on 26 November.
Past Principals
Present Principal
St. Sylvester’s College has used various school anthems since 1940. First his sons were singing ‘Pasal Mavuni Jaya Wewa’ anthem and in 70’s it has been changed to ‘Dana Mana Ranjitha’ anthem.
College Anthem
Dana mana ranjitha dasa desa pujitha Wikuman pe lowa abheetha wu, Nama wirajitha lowa aparajitha Deshbhakthiyata nidhana wu, Desa resa rekuwan maha hela wirwan Dinu senkadagala pura ramanee, Sedu silumina wan reki nithi abhiman Silvesthara viduhal meni, Guna nena kusuman pobayana hiruwan Sisu darunage de hithakamee, Guna kanda agayamu namadimu surakimu Diwi himikota widuhal manee, Apa hema ekwee aka hawulak wee Eka hengumen wee rasa kamee, Rata deya samayada nanwalannata Pilisaranaya oba we manee, Oba apage shakthiya wewa Apage shakthiya oba wewa Apage alokaya wewa Seradewa nithi wejabewaa…
First College Anthem – 1940 – 1970
Pasal mavuni jaya wewa, Bethi Gee Rawe Nanwa, Veera matha Sylvesthara, Garu maw jaya wewa…//
Shilpa dam kalawena, Vidya Shastraloken…// Keerhi sara putha obe, Ediyen rakhimu prema matha, Dasa desa obe name, Pibidew diri wadala, Thuthi kusum dewa siri, Garu maw daya……
I am legitimate of my Alma mater St. Sylvesters college, with a long prestigious history. In order to achieve the maximum benefits of my school days, I do hereby affirm to carry out my tasks under the supervision and guidance of the principal and the staff, and guide my colleagues along the correct path, to follow the rules and regulations of the school to the world, to maintain cordial relationship with the whole student population of the school, to actively participate in the matters pertaining to subject of study, to respect and honor my school , with all my might and to follow the path of distinguished old sylvestrians
In the year 1945 St. Sylvester's College Kandy started their first scout troop with the patronage of our founder Rev. Fr.Robert M.Perera. The scout troop had been started by Mr. B.M. Guyes.
In the year 1949 just four years afterwards, Mr. B.M. Guyes had left us leaving our scout in charge of Rev. Fr.Dom George who was a very keen scouter. Next came Mr. K.S. Gunarathne. He joined by another able scouter Mr. N.H. Shalwyn.
Both of these scout masters had contributed in great measure to the success of our scout troop. In the year 1950 our scouts had been able to win the "Island Merit Flag", awarded to the best troop in the Island. The presentation was made by His Excellency Governor General Lord Soulbury.
In the years 1986 and 1988 our group won the "Gulam Hussain" flag for the group with highest number of president's scouts.
In the year 2002 St.Sylvester's College introduced "Gymnastics" as a primary Sport to the College Students. St.Sylvester's Gymnastics Club founded by The Principal, Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda, Assistant Principal Mr. A.K.B. Dodanwala, former Prefect of Games Mr. D.C. Mahawaththage & Mr.Amal Rasanga Liyanagamage. (Coach & Old Boy)
St.Sylvester's College Gymnastics Team could win number of National & Provincial victories during this short period.
Recent Victories:
Patron: The Principal, Mr. T.R.S.Meetiyagoda Master in Charge: Mr.Hemantha A. Ranasinghe Head Coach: Mr.Amal Rasanga Liyanagamage Captain: K.Aravinth Vice Captain: Ravindu Shehan Vice Captain: Dilkashan Miresh
In the year 1945 St. Sylvester's College Kandy started their first scout troop with the patronage of our founder Rev. Fr.Robert M.Perera. The scout troop had been started by Mr. B.M.Guyes.
In the year 1949 just four years afterwards, Mr. B.M.Guyes had left us leaving our scout in charge of Rev. Fr.Dom George who was a very keen scouter. Next came Mr. K.S.Gunarathne. He joined by another able scouter Mr. N.H.Shalwyn.
Both of these scout masters had contributed in great measure to the success of our scout troop. In the year 1950 our scouts had been able to win the "Island Merit Flag", awarded to the best troop in the Island. The presentation was made by His Excellency Governor General Lord Soulbury.
In the years 1986 and 1988 our group won the "Gulam Hussain" flag for the group with highest number of president's scouts.