Annual English day of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela was a huge success

The Annual English day programme is one of the prestigious events which was organized on a grand scale by the Senior English Literacy Association of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, was held on March 25, 2012 at the College Auditorium. This occasion was graced by the chief guest Prof.mithri Wickramasinghe, Professor of English, University of Kalaniya and the Director of General Studies. The Headmaster Mr. L.A.M. Chandrasekara, Mrs. Chandrasekara ,members of Department of Education and the members of the College Old Boys’ Association were invited as special guests.

There wasa big gathering of more than400 students, teachers and the parents on this day and the English day was continued from 9.00 am with wonderful dramas, poems, news readings, advis- able speeches, orations ect.

The event activated with the lighting of the oil lamp and the college song followed. The welcome speech was delivered by Hiranya Dissanayake, President of the English Literacy Association. The second edition of the College magazine “Pegusus” was released and the Head Master handed over the first copy to the Chief Guest Prof. Mithri Wickramasinghe.

The first event of the programme was the “News Reading” which was admired by the chief guest. The news readers gathered some local, international, education and sports news from Sunday Times and presented them in an effective manner. The primary school staged the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” which was appreciated by everyone. The advanced level student Shane L.s.wolfdelivered a wonderful speech under the topic of “Importance of the Global Language” was welcomed by the chief guest.few small poem reciters presented well to the praise of many a congregation.the middle school played the “Too Many Doctors” drama while the advanced level students performed “Romeo & Juliet”. The two English songs which were performed by few A/L students were enjoyed by whole of the audience.

The headmaster stated “we are much keen in the development of English language in very individual of our school and we are doing the maximum to uplift their proficiency level”.

The chief guest Prof. Mithri Wickramasinghe delivered a useful speech on “Why we should study English?” and also she emphasized that “proficiency in English means; Reading and Reading and Reading…. Then you will understand when to use, where to use, how to response and how to write”.

The final event of the programme was the distribution of medals and certificates for the students who won first places in the College English day competitions.

The whole programme was organized by the Senior English Literacy Association which is an amalgamation of the College Dramatic Club and the Language Club, providing high quality trainings in both curricular and co- curricular fields. The headmaster is the pillar behind this wonderful event whose motivation inspired the staff to organize such a wonderful event.

The Education sections of the Sunday Times and Daily Mirror of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd reinforced the programme with their Media Sponsorship.