Schools Presbyterian Girls’ School, Dehiwala has produced the best professionals in all fields
Presbyterian Girls’ National school which is situated at Station Road, Dehiwala is a leading 1AB school with more than 2000 student population and 100 tutorial staff.
The present principal Mrs. S.K. Leelaratna (SLEAS-1) has been the head of the school since 2010. She strives to lead the school to victorious future by organising various types of activities such as societies, games and social events. The tutorial staff, non-academic staffs along with parents and well-wishers join hands together for the betterment of the school. As the result, the school paves the way for students to be groomed as humble personalities to succeed in the future.
October 1, 1908 is the official date from which the count began. On March 19, 1914 the school which has its name as ‘Polaththu Girls’ School’ was started in a temporary building in the new premises at Station Road. It is noteworthy to mention the tremendous services and dedication rendered by many people, who sacrificed their precious time to bring this school to its present status.
At the beginning, the school conducted classes in the English medium and later introduced Sinhala as well. When the school celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1933, it had accelerated towards a prosperous era. The students have not only achieved g reat results in the SSC Examination but also in the Matriculation Examination - London.
In 1951 the school was fortunate to join the free education system and the Parents - Teachers Association was formed. In 1958 the school celebrated its golden jubilee in a grand scale with “Thanksgiving Services”.
In 1962 Presbyterian was acquired by the Government. A revolutionary change was made during the period of Mrs. Mudalige. She was the pioneer for most of the developments and for initiating the A/L classes. During her tenure, Presbyterian Girls’ School was upgraded to the national school status.
Today, Presbyterian Girls’ School consists of classes from Grade 1 to 13, offering A/L students subjects in the Science, Mathematics, Commerce and Arts streams. The English Medium stream is accessible to the students from Grade 6 onwards. Each Grade consist 4 parallel classes where well qualified teachers are involved in the process of teaching-learning activities. There is a high demand and an acute competition for Grade 1 and Grade six admissions among the community. Annually they enjoy a quite number of 9 A’s for GCE O/L and 3 A’s for GCE A/ L with University entrance. Generally over 80% of students get through their GCE O/L and GCE A/L examinations.
The students of Presbyterian have always maintained an amazing standard in organising ‘co-curricular activities’ and ‘ Societies’. The Prefects’ Board has made outstanding performances during the recent years, adding various activities and social events to the school calendar with the help of the staff advisors. In 2013, the Prefect’s Guild organised spectacular events for the students as well as the teachers. ‘ Soorya Abisheka’ the New Year programmes including all the traditional rituals, ‘Buddha Vandana’ and the Vesak Zone were few of the prominent events.
The blood donation campaign was another successful project. The school birthday and the world children’s day were celebrated with a lunch for the students.
The Cadet Corps made their Maiden Camping in 2012 and was able to be placed 2nd, beating all the leading schools in 2013. The Presbyterian girls achieved and won many awards in various events as well.
Media Day was held in a grand scale with the participation of eminent media personnel in Sri Lanka and four of them were awarded at the occasion. An English Camp is being organised each term by the English teachers to up lift the speaking skills of the students.
The ‘Sigithi Avurudhu’ Festival is a colourful primary event annually organised by the Primary Teachers. The annual “pirith chanting ceremony” is organised by the students to get blessing for the prosperity of the school.
Students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of sports and games. They have brought fame to the school by achieving many awards. The Basketball team bagged the 3rd place at the under 17 All Island Basketball Tournament. The Milo Championship Trophy was acquired by the under 16 Netball team and the under 14 team was placed 3rd place. The school was also placed 4th at the All Island Milo Tournament A Division.
The Badminton team won the 3rd place at the Under 16 S. L. S. Rathnayaka Memorial D Division Trophy, 3rd place at the under 19 All Island C Division Tournament, 3rd place at the under 14 All Island D Division Tournament and 3rd place at the under 16 All Island D Division Tournament. The athletic Team achieved 2nd place at the Lanka Lion Athletic Meet doing well at the at the under 19 high jump event.
The Eastern Music Unit started an Eastern Orchestra for the first time and since 2011 the students have performed in four public shows including dancing shows. The college dancing troupes bagged the 2nd place for “Mangala Daul Bera Vadanaya” at the All Island Dancing Competition.
Having a mission of “PATHUMAN SINDHATH LIYALEWA” which means “let the wishes which were washed come back again” Presbyterian Girls’ School teaches its daughters to enter the world with courage and confidence.