Celebrating 100YEARS OF GUIDING AT BISHOP’S COLLEGE
Girl Guide Company of Bishop’s College commemorated its Centenary on the 9th of September 2021, with a virtual campfire on Saturday the 11th of September in celebration of this milestone.
The chief guest at the event, the Chief Commissioner of the SLGGA,
Ms. Sulari Jayawardene commended the importance given to Guiding at Bishop’s College for as long as 100 years which reveals its objective of enabling girls to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the country and the world. The event was graced by the Deputy Chief Commissioner, the Assistant Chief Commissioner as well as the Camp Commissioner.
The guides at Bishop’s College have always been actively involved in camping, hikes and the completion of badges with many President’s Guides being appointed in recent years.
Since its inception in 1921 records indicate how the guides of yesteryear helped those affected by the measles and chicken pox outbreaks over 70 years ago and also other numerous acts of giving and caring towards the less fortunate. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the guides distributed handstitched masks to their neighbours and made thank you cards for the army personnel and police officers who worked tirelessly on the front lines.
Even though the current situation in the country has resulted in limiting the exciting outdoor activities the guides usually engage in, the guides at Bishop’s College used their creative and imaginative skills by organising a Virtual Camp, a campfire and many fun activities online for the ‘Little Friends’ of the school.
The virtual campfire held via Zoom, was attended by several past guides as well, who made use of the opportunity to reminiscence many memories of their guiding days gone by and also enlightened and encouraged the amateur guides.
Bishops’ College can’t boast of our girl guiding legacy without mentioning Miss Margaret Dias who was Guide Captain from 1957-2008. Many of those under her watchful eye would have much to reminisce of their guiding days at their alma mater.
From Past to Present, we conclude this article with a special mention of Nilshani De Silva (Nilly) an alumnus of the Educational Support Unit of Bishop’s College who was a girl guide almost all her school life and was awarded the All- Rounder Cord for Guiding. She is now employed as the Art Teacher of the Primary school of Bishop’s College.