Kingswood College, Kandy Celebrates its 125th Anniversary

Kingswood College which is renowned as the School of Gentlemen in the hill country commemorated its 125th Anniversary on the 4th of May 2016.

As an initial act of the Anniversary celebrations an all night Pirith Chanting was followed by an alms giving under the able guidance and leadership of the principal Mr. R.D.M.P. Weerathunga.

College History

The College was initiated with a handful of 11 students on the 4th of May 1891 in the Pavilion Street, Kandy bearing the name Kandy Boys’ School.

Sir Louis Edmond Blaze who was a veteran educationist of Burgher nationality was the founder of this prestigious institution. He received his education at Trinity College, Kandy and to pursue his higher studies

An Advertising Supplement

he left to India. The affairs of the school administration was handled by the methodhist Mission until the Government took over the administration of the school in 1961.

The first principal of the College was Sir Louis Edmond Blaze whose career spans for 32 years of unblemished service. The period during which he administered the affairs of the school it flourished with bewildering speed and reached its pinnacle, among the other schools of the island. Through his untiring efforts he was able to shift the College from the Pavilion Street to the present premises. Sir John Randles who was a factory owner extended his generous support to build the school at the present location. As a token of honour to him the area which belongs to the school is called “Randles Hills”.

The infrastructure of the school was widely expanded and at present the school consists of a number of new buildings along with a hostel complex. New buildings were added during the principalship of Reverend E. Pearson. After him two English principals Mr. O.L. Gibbon and Mr. F.A.J. Ating served the school and elevated the position of the school to the level of one of the best Methodist Colleges in the island.

The turning point of the history of the college took place in 1940. Mr. P.H. Nonis was fortunate to assume the principalship of the College as the first Sri Lankan principal. With the introduction of free education in Sri Lanka Kingswood College was under the control of the Department of education. As the Government does not impose strict rules over the culture of the school Kingswood College Kandy has been able to maintain its inherent traditions safeguarding its own identity. We proudly state that Kingswood College produces well disciplined, refined young Gentlemen who belong to all nationalities to serve the nation.

Influence and Inspiration.

According to historical records most of the special traits that we come across at Kingswood are based on the traits of Kingswood College in Bath, England. The “Motto” of the school is “Fide et Virtute” which means trust and virtue. Consequently, the School Song which has been composed by the founder principal Sir L.E. Blaze depicts confidence, bravery and manliness which are applicable for the moulding of the personalities of the boys. The four houses of the College have been introduced resembling 4 public schools in England; Eaton, Harrow, Winchester and Rugby. The school has been adopting the format of the English public schools. While adopting the traditions of England to suit the Sri Lankan requirement Kingswood College has been able to march forward successfully as a leading school to cater for the modern needs.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL AND THE STAFF OF KINGSWOOD COLLEGE

“This year Kingswood College, Kandy celebrates its 125th Anniversary. At this event, we offer our respect and honour to all including the Principals who worked with dedication and commitment towards achieving prosperity of the College during this period.

Although Kingswood College was established in the colonial era with the objective of meeting the needs of that time, Kingswood continues in fulfilling its mission while safeguarding the Sri Lankan identity of honour and dignity. As a result, the school has been able to present a group of Kingswood gentlemen who have represented the school at National and International Level.

The responsibility of gifting a group of gentlemen with wisdom and virtue to the society through formal Education, is entrusted to the school. Apart from this, they should be partners of the community who are tolerant and with a mind drawn towards research and experiments and a clear future vision. The guidance required for this purpose is the service accomplished by the school.

We wish that Kingswood College may achieve the strength and courage required to maintain excellence in the future within the Sri Lankan Educational set up.

Special Achievements

Kingswood College has pioneered in placing several outstanding records at national and international level. It is the only school in the country which has the unique feature of calling its students “Gentlemen”. The first lady teacher to teach in a boys school was recruited by Kingswood. The sports Rugby and Football were introduced to the arena of school sports by this school. Kingswood college was among the first five schools which established Cadet platoons and thereby is renowned worldwide.

Progress of the school

Having started with a small number of 11 students at present the College consists of over 3300 students. It comprises of 175 members of the tutorial staff 30 members of the non academic staff. While commemorating the 125 years of excellence the principal Mr. R.D.M.P. Weerathunga along with the academic staff, Non academic staff and past pupils forges ahead with the mission of producing scholarly gentlemen with excellent personality to the nation.