Girls' High School, Kandy
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Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1879 by Wesleyan Methodist missionaries and the oldest school for girls in Kandy.[1]
HistoryEarly years In 1873, the need of a school in connection with Wesleyan Mission work was urged by Rev. Samuel Langdon and so a Day and Boarding school was built in Katukele, Kandy Sri Lanka. The school was opened in 1879 at the Wesleyan school chapel adjoining the Girls' Boarding School, Katukele - Kandy, under the management of Mrs Langdon. Miss Payne, the next principal arrived in Colombo on 31 July 1879 but left the school in 1880. In May 1880 Miss Hay came from England and the school, which had 10 on the roll at its inception, increased to 70 and was registered to obtain a grant-in-aid from the government. As numbers increased, in 1881 the school shifted to the more commodious precincts of the Mission in Brownrigg Street, but boarders remained at Katukele. Classes were held behind the church. Long desks and forms without backs and heavy pews from the church were moved weekly when classes had to take turn in writing. There were no games, Guiding, debating or netball, not even a library. Since its inception the school has represented the ethnic diversity of Sri Lanka, with its student body consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Malays, Burghers and Chinese.[2] 20th century
With the dawn of the 20th century, under the guidance of Miss Sansom, who served for 19 years, Kandy High School became one of the leading educational instructions in Ceylon. On 21 March 1917 the First Company of Girl Guides was formed in the Island. Miss Sansom prepared the way for this and Miss Jane Calveriey, the Vice-Principal was the First Captain. This was followed by the 1st Brownie Company and the Ranger Company in 1918 and 1921. In June 1920 a plague broke out in Kandy and 262 students were ordered to leave the premises overnight. The kindergarten and Std 2 shifted to Trinity College, Std 3 and 4 were housed at the YWCA opposite the police station and the senior girls at the YWCA near the Kandy lake. Miss. Calveriey had a busy time cycling from one place to another supervising the classes, so she invested in a scooter which made her day easier. In 1917 the first company of Girl Guides was formed on the island, and the school was the first to play netball in Sri Lanka.
Houses systemThe four houses are Eaton, Langdon, Lawrance, and Sansom. Their respective house colours are, light blue, dark green, yellow and dark blue.
Societies
Science Society
Since its inception, the Science Society has been an outstanding educational society in Kandy Girls' High School, which has contributed to bring out the talents and skills of the female students in the science department. The Science Society is also the guardian and leader of Astronomy Society, Drug Prevention Unit, Young Explorers Society, Mihiruwa Environment Society and Geography Society. The annual Science Day, which is organized to provide an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills of the students of the region, consists of inter-school competitions and lectures. In all the educational and extra-curricular activities of the above-mentioned associations and societies, the Higher Girls' College Science Association provides an indescribable, immense guidance. The aim of Kandy Girls' High School is to produce educated and intelligent professionals or educators for the Sri Lankan society. The Science Society is working to achieve this goal. It is a matter of great pleasure to state that the majority of respected educators we see today have worked as active members of the Kandy Girls' High School Science Association. Astronomical Society
Ever since the Astronomy Society was officially established in 1997, it has contributed enormously to the popularisation of astronomy in Sri Lanka, not only to the school but also to the whole country. has become a scientific association. Since the year 1997, the association has launched various activities and workshops to develop astronomical knowledge. The year 2001 was a very important year for this association because it was the first night camp organised by a girls' school in the island with the participation of students from many schools in the island. It was named "Astro Eve 2001" and the chief guest was Dr. Chandana Jayaratne. In 2003, it participated in the march organised by the School Development Society and the Association of Alumni. In the year 2005, this association organised the night camp "Universe Rings of the Universe" which helped the students to develop their astronomy knowledge and observation skills. Also in the year 2005, in the educational exhibition "Elysium 2005" organised by the school, this association successfully organized an educational booth.[citation needed] The year 2006 turned out to be a crucial year for the Astronomy Society of Kandy Girls' High School as it launched a project to develop Inter-School Astronomy (CPDIA) called "Odessey has Begun" in collaboration with Ranabima Royal College, Kandy.[citation needed] In the year 2008, this association conducted the Astronomy Night Camp named "The Intimations of the Invisible". The association introduced the Ruth Allen Challenge Cup, and Kandy Dharmaraja College won the first place in the astronomy knowledge measurement competition. In 2009, in the middle of many obstacles, called "The Transition from the Invisible" astronomy night was organised. There E. Labroy introduced the Challenge Cup, which was successfully held with the participation of 14 schools. The invited guests were Dr. Chandana Jayaratne and Dr. Sarath Bandaranaike. The Labroy Challenge Cup was won by Dharmaraja College, Kandy.[citation needed] In 2010, the association organised an astronomy night called "In Quest for Visibility".[citation needed] Media UnitThe Media Unit of Kandy Girls' High School is an active unit in the school to produce young media personalities. The unit organises the all-island, trilingual, inter-school Media Day Competition and the Media Day as "Shasthra Dhara" annually.[3] Drug Prevention Unit
The drug prevention unit is another active unit in the school. In 2009, this unit organised the drug and prevention day as "Tempora 2009". This program was successfully conducted with the participation of other schools. This program also had a citizenship development program. It was applauded by all present. Traffic Control Unit
The traffic control unit is a unit that works diligently for the safety of Kandy Girls' High School. This unit is not only for the students of Kandy Girls' High School, but also for the students of Kandy's Vihara Maha Devi Girls' School, which is located next to it, by guiding them while crossing the highway. Control provides great service. SportsThe school's chess team has won considerable success in multiple achievements in both international, all-island and provincial tournaments.[4] In 2013, school won the All Island under 15 'B' Division Badminton Championship for the Janaka Bogollagama Memorial Shield.[5] In the same year, they became the champions in chess for the fourth successive year at the All-Island Schools Chess Championship.[6] In 2017, The Under 11 chess team became the champions of the Under 11 Girls’ (‘A’ Division) event at the All- Island Chess festival for the second consecutive time. In 2014 the team became all-island champions of their respective under 9 age category.[7] In 2011, they won the Central Province Schools under 19 Table Tennis, Volleyball (under 19) Championships and under 14 and under 15 'Milo' netball titles in tournaments organised by the Central Province Education Department.[8] In 2018, the girls won Under 18 Provincial Netball Championship.[9] In 2019, girls won several events at the Junior Nationals, Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletic Championship and All Island Relay Championship.[10] The school has produced several notable netball players to national team such as Maheesha Bandara, Venuki Boyagoda, Faika Feroze and Yohani Nilupuli de Silva.[11]
Past principalsS. Langdon was the first principal of the school who had the tenure from 1879 to 1880. R. Allen was the last Methodist principal. In 1945, Grace Paul became the first Sri Lankan principal in the school’s history. In 1964, Hema Jayasinghe became the first old girl to become the principal of the school.[13]
Notable alumni
References
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