The annual prize giving – ‘Celebration of Excellence’ of Hejaaz International

The annual prize giving – ‘Celebration of Excellence’ of Hejaaz International School was held on the 9th June 2013 at the Bishop's college Auditorium, Colombo 02. It was indeed an occasion to celebrate the excellence in achievement where hard work saw its reward. Mr. Faisz Musthapha PC Former High Commissioner for the United Kingdom and Prominent legal personality graced the occasion as the Chief Guest

Mr. Faisz Muthapha praised the school for the wide spectrum of activities provided to its students enabling them to attain all-round development. Listening to the school reports he said he was very happy to learn that many non Muslim children were performing very well at Hejaaz International School. He said he was happy to see that the tutorial staff also comprised members of all ethnic groups. He praised the management for building up the school as an example for ethnic harmony. He observed that Hejaaz International School was a centre that bound together the great values preached by the four main religions of the world and joining them together by the great binding force – English Language.

The principal of the school Mrs. Zarina Mohideen Hizbullah in her report highlighted the exceptional achievements of the students and mentioned that her students had brought glory not only to the school but to Sri Lanka as well by emerging as top scorers at international competitions. She mentioned that, in 2012 seven Hejaazites topped the country ranks at the International Assessments for Schools. They are the latest of the 16 country toppers produced by the school since 2006. Medals were also awarded to Fayaz Ahamed Abdul Cader and Umar Kamil Marikar who scored the highest marks not just in Sri Lanka but across the region. At the British Arts Festival forty three students received gold medals while Yahya Mowlana obtained the special award for the best all island performance in public speaking.

Fayaz Ahamed Abdul Cader was one of the 15 top scorers at the Royal Australian Chemistry Quiz. The other students received 5 High Distinctions, 4 Distinctions and 7 Credit passes. While stressing the fact that schools should not exist just to provide qualifications or to win sports cups and prizes, he said that Hejaaz International School emphasizes the development of soft skills thereby producing well balanced individuals. She added that all the past pupils of the school are leading useful lives in the societys to which they belong.

Mrs. Hasna Iflal, the Headmistress of the Gilrs’ Section reviewed the events of the past year. She mentioned that the laying of the foundation stone of the multi storeyed building for the girls’ section, establishing of the preschool and the commencement of the Cambridge ordinary levels took the centre stage of this year’s activities. A special mention was of Aysha Hamra Fasmy who won the bronze medal in the essay competition organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society to mark the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Shahid Nakshab was awarded the Hejaazite of the year the most coveted prize given to a student who has throughout his career at school shown loyalty, discipline, and dedication.

Mrs. Surangani Weerasinghe. Mrs. Khatheeja Naffar and Mrs. Romaine Navaratne who completed 10 years of service to the school were felicitated.