St. Thomas' College, Matara

Coordinates: 6°3′10.37″N 80°12′17.01″E / 6.0528806°N 80.2047250°E / 6.0528806; 80.2047250

St. Thomas' College, Matara

Perseverando Vinces
(Perseverance conquers all)
Location
Matara
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Information
Type National
Established 10 March 1844
Founder Rev Fr. N. J. Ondatjee
Principal Mr. W.B. Piyathissa
Grades Primary to G.C.E. (A/L)
Gender Boys
Age 6 to 19
Enrollment over 4000
Pupils Thomians
Colour(s)

Chocolate and Light Blue

        
Affiliation

Anglican

(one of the first Anglican Missionaries in Sri Lanka)
Website http://www.stcmatara.sch.lk/


St. Thomas' College is a government primary and secondary school for boys in Matara, Sri Lanka which is located in the heart of Matara city. The College was initially founded as a private Anglican school by Christian Missionary Society of England (founded by one of the first Anglican Missionaries in Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. N. J. Ondatjee) [1] in Wellamadama, Dondra, Sri Lanka in 1844. It presently has over 4000 enrolled students studying from primary level to secondary level education.

History

St. Thomas' College Matara was founded by the Christian Missionary Society of England in 1844. The main concern of the various missionary bodies in Sri Lanka during the early period of British rule was the determination to give their students a sound English education. As a result of this St. Thomas' School Matara later to become a secondary school in 1914 as S. Thomas' College Matara commenced its education in a bungalow at the village called Wellamadama where the University of Ruhuna presently located today.

The school was founded by one of the first Anglican Missionaries in Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. N. J. Ondatjee in 1844 with a few students and three teachers.

In the year 1960 St. Thomas' College Matara vested in the Government after a long period of missionary control. K. B. Jayasuriya became the first principal under Government administration.

The late M/s J. E. M. Fernando, K. B. Jayasuriya and also E. A. de L. W. Samarasinghe who reactivated the college OBA which was defunct after its inauguration by S. J. Gunasekeram in 1934. B. D. Jayasekera designed the college flag and the crest in the early part of the 20th century and M/s Noel L. Rodrigo, O. C. de Alwis, Major G. W. S. de Silva, Capt. N. R. M. Dudley de Silva, Mrs. Winifred de Alwis, Lionel Waidyaratne, S. K. Upasena and Jayananda Abeysinghe.

Kumaratunga Munidasa taught Sinhala language and literature at the school. He once expressed his enthusiasm for his alma-mater by writing the following phrase in his Kiyawana Nuwana book 3, used as a text book in the school in the second form: "Among countries one which resembles the Island of Sri Lanka and among its cities, one which in Sri Lanka to Matara and among its schools, one which could stimulates St. Thomas' who will be able to emulate."

The school is one of the oldest cricket playing school in the island and played the St. Thomas'–St. Servatius Cricket Encounter with St. Servatius' College in the year 2000. This is the second oldest cricket encounter in the island, also known as the "Battle of the Blues" or Battle of the Ruhunu. St. Thomas' College Matara also introduced scouting and cadet-ting to Matara.

Past principals

School Objectives

1.Providing equal educational opportunities for all students.

2.Providing encouragement and secure locality for all students through implementation of well-organised educational programme.

3.Building up of self-confidence in all students in order to promote their achievement levels by developing their potential.

4.Developing and implementing a conducive family environment within the school premises.

School Vision

Gifting of an excellent Thomian to the nation and the universe.

School Mission

Creating a perfect individual, well-equipped with knowledge, attitudes and skills, who can face the challenging situations with confidence.

College Anthem

Our School is old in story

Her record fair as long

So, young and old and hoary,

Come join in rousing song!

Hurrah, again hurra-ah,

Hurrah, while still we say

Saint Thomas’ for ever,

Saint Thomas' for aye!


We boast not of our merit

All credit we disclaim,

Our pride is we inherit

A fair untarnished name.

We’ll endeavour to maintain it,

while deed and word proclaim

Saint Thomas' for ever

Saint Thomas' for aye!


In playing field and class room

Our heads we’ll carry high,

We’ll yield no shred of honour

In loss or victory,

Then "Vinces" be our motto

"Perseverando" cry

Saint Thomas’ forever

Saint Thomas’ for aye!

  REFRAIN:

Saint Thomas‘ we uphold her honour everywhere

Let east or west or north attest

That we are Thomians ture!

Whatever our estate

We unite to celebrate

The Chocolate and Light Blue!

Saint Thomas’ she is our proudest fondest boast

Our Hearts o ‘erfiow, our spirits glow

With pride and loyalty!

Her faithful children we,

Strong in unity

Until one day we prove the Pride of Lanka!

(This song was composed by the late Mr. L.A. ARNDT, a former Principal, 1931 - 1933)

College houses

College houses' names and colours:

Sports

  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Hockey
  • Wrestling
  • Karate
  • Chess
  • Cricket
  • Rugby Football
  • Badminton
  • Chadetting
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Gymnastic
  • Table Tennis

St. Thomas'–St. Servatius Cricket Encounter

St. Thomas-St. Servatius Cricket Encounter (known as Battle of the Blues (Matara) or Battle of the Ruhunu) is the annual school cricket match played between St. Thomas' College, Matara and St. Servatius' College played since 1900.This is the second oldest cricket encounter in the island which has won the hearts of the common people not only in Matara but even the rural folks of the deep south. People from all parts of the southern province rush to witness this big match every year which is popularly known as the Battle of the Ruhunu of Ruhuna. and also second Battle of the Blues in the Sri Lanka. It is second only to the Royal-Thomian annual cricket encounter. The match has been played as a 3 day game since 2000, which was the centenary match.

Thomas - Rahula Football Encounter

The annual Thomas-Rahula Football Encounter' or "Battle of Golden Ensigns" football Match is played between St. Thomas' College, Matara and Rahula College. It is one of the first annual inter-school football matches in Sri Lanka.

Clubs and societies

Alumni

List of alumni of St. Thomas' College, Matara;

See also

References

  1. ↑ S. Thomas' College Matara is 160
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