C.M.S. Ladies' College, Colombo

C.M.S. Ladies’ College, Colombo
Haec Victoria Nostra Fides Latin This is the victory, even our faith
Location
Colombo
Information
Type	Independent Private
Established	1900
Founder	Lilian Nixon
Principal	Mrs. Nirmali Wickramasinghe
Gender	Girls
Age	2 1/2 to 19
Enrollment	1700
Colour(s)	Red and White
Website	www.ladiescollege.lk

C.M.S. Ladies’ College grounds

C.M.S Ladies' College is a private girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is located at 66, Sir Ernest De Silva Mawatha (formerly Flower Road), Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.

Foundation

The college was founded by the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) in 1900. Its Latin motto is "Haec Victoria Nostra Fides", which means "This is our victory, even our faith".

History

Lilian Nixon (Principal 1900-1914)

Ladies' College began with Lilian Nixon, an Irish woman of 26, fired with a belief in the importance of education for women, and with the courage and the vision to come out to a far-flung colony of the British Empire Ceylon to found a school for women. Ladies College was founded by her in 1900 in a large bungalow in Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo, with two students enrolled.

In 1914 Lilian Nixon resigned due to ill health and the college registered as a Grant in Aid school.

Gwen Opie (Principal 1917-1944)

The period 1917–1944 for Ladies College marked the stewardship of a new Principal, Miss Gwen Opie.

Once Ladies College was established as a Grant-in-Aid school, Miss Opie began new buildings for the school.

Miss Opie died in 1944 and was buried in General Cemetery Kanatte. Miss Rita Opie took over as Acting Principal.

Mabel E Simon (Principal 1946-1968)

In 1945 there was a push towards abolishment of tuition fees in state aided denominational schools. Facilities in terms of teachers and equipment would be determined by the state which would bear the cost of the running of the school.

In 1964 Miss Hitchcock was appointed Acting Principal. Miss Simon pushed to set up pre-vocational guidance services that would lead on to vocational guidance and help students find new careers.

Olive Hitchcock (Principal 1964-1968)

Olive Hitchcock was appointed Acting Principal in 1964 on the retirement of Miss Simon. She was Miss Simon’s trusted lieutenant and advisor during the difficult years of shifting educational policy.

Mrs. Sirancee Gunawardena (Principal 1968-1998)

The decade that followed Mrs. Gunawardena’s appointment as Principal saw a further change of course in the country, to a policy of increasing State control. It was followed eight years later by an about turn to a liberalized economy that encouraged private enterprise.

Together with encouragement of sports activities there was the development of aesthetics. A rich tradition of music, drama and singing in English and more recently in the second half of the century in Sinhala and Tamil was encouraged. Whilst the need for English was downgraded in state schools, Ladies College saw fit to continue to view English as a modern living language. English therefore continued to be used as the medium of communication in the school.

"The most important fund raising project was in 1975 when the OGA collected money to establish the Department of Vocational Studies. This was to serve both the school and the community. It arose out of a need to cater to students who did not wish to continue at the universities. It also catered to a need in the wider community and society at large – equipping young people with the necessary skills to function effectively in their workplaces."

Dr Sriyanie Miththapala (Principal 1998-2003)

In 1998 Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala was appointed to succeed Mrs. Gunawardena. The centenary Anniversary celebrations started on Founders day and continued throughout the year with various events.

It can be said that at Ladies College the Principal is required to entrench whatever changes she brings about within a deeply rooted tradition and customs. This is indeed a complex challenge, but the school needs to surmount this seemingly paradoxical situation if the institution is to continue to play its role it has for the past 100 years.

The existence of an institution for over a century in itself demonstrates its ability to survive. To go a step further, and thrive within a turbulent period indicates a remarkable ability to adapt. Ladies College similar to other institutions could not escape the shifting patterns of time. "In the year 2000 we look back with pride and see an institution so deeply rooted, that it was able to weather the storms of a century. The effects of the changes that are being introduced at present can only be judged by future generations."

Mrs. Nirmali Wickremasinghe (Principal 2003-2013)

A wealth of experience gathered both in government schools and abroad which enriched her vision of education has helped Nirmali Wickremesinghe to make a notable contribution towards the all round development of the school. She faced many difficulties, particularly at the beginning of her tenure as principal when she had to make certain decisions regarding the administration of the school, due to changes in educational policy at a national level. Overcoming these initial problems, she has been able to harness the active engagement not only of the students and teachers but also of parents and old girls in the activities of the school.

She firmly believes in a multicultural education. Tolerance of others’ thoughts, culture, religion and language which has always been the ethos of Ladies’ College and Nirmali continues to emphasize and actively encourage this liberal and open environment. It is her view that a Ladies’ College student should not only excel academically but should also participate in other spheres of school life which would develop her personality and talents.

During her tenure years as principal of Ladies’ College, the school has produced excellent theatre productions in all three languages, including the particularly memorable "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"& "Sister Act 2" in English, an outstanding dance drama "Draupadi Sabatham", in Tamil and an enjoyable Street Theatre in Sinhalese. Students have travelled abroad to take part in international competitions and exchangeme With a view to developing the social consciousness of the students she has encouraged their active involvement in a variety of social service projects so that they gain an awareness of the needs of those less privileged than they, in the wider community outside the world of the school.

IT facilities were introduced for teachers to make the classroom experience more interesting for the students. She also introduced many annual events, as diverse as sports encounters, such as water polo with Visakha Vidyalaya, hockey with Bishops College, the regatta with Museaus College, the Lilian Nixon Interschool Debating Competition, Serendipity, Sinhala Day and Tamil Day. A thematic Wednesday was introduced which exhibited a high degree of student participation. Religious societies in the school also make presentations, fostering a better understanding of each other’s religions.

Ladies’ College students have excelled in sports, which has always been an integral part of the school’s activities, at both national and international levels. During her tenure as Principal the standard of sports has improved greatly due to improved facilities. The ambitious building project envisaged for the future – the new sports complex to house the badminton, squash courts and gym - will, when accomplished, complete the school’s requirements. The LC Walk was organized to help to fund the Sports Complex. The building programme has been enlarged to meet the constantly growing needs of the school. The old Willis Hall is now a three storey block of classrooms for the Primary School; the new block of classrooms for the London A Levels includes a large cafeteria and rooms for an office, and an infirmary downstairs. The new building which houses the college archives also accommodates the junior library, the bookshop and the table tennis room. Several buildings were refurbished: the Hall, Green Room, the Hostel, the Day Care Centre and the Domestic Science rooms. During this time the Boxford Building was renovated and transformed to a child friendly Nursery. To encourage thrift among the students a Savings Bank was opened. She also built the state of the art sports complex. During her last year the students of grade 5&6put on an incredible musical-Scheherazade,sakunthala a Sinhala dance drama was done by the seniors. Nirmali Wickremesinghe’s distinctive contribution to Ladies’ College has been the innovative ideas and inspiration she conveys to her staff and students, equipping them with a sense of confidence while instilling qualities of leadership and stimulating freedom of thought in the school. Her presence will be greatly missed throuout the school.

The College Today

C.M.S. Ladies' College today has established itself as a multi-etchnic and multi-religious student population. It offers education from pre-school through to the G.C.E. Advanced Level (local and London exams).

Houses at C.M.S. Ladies' College

1. Loos House - Motto: 'The utmost for the highest'

2. Whitney House - Motto: 'Nothing less than the best'

3. Nixon House - Motto: 'Excelsior'

4. Dale House - Motto: 'No attainment without effort'

College Hall

The Ladies' College Hall is used for assemblies and school concerts. It is also the regular concert venue of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, since 1958.

College Chapel

The College Chapel, called the Chapel of the Hope of the World, was begun in 1933. It stands where the Hanover Villa (bought in 1928) was situated. The first prayer service was held on 7 September 1933. It is in use for choir performances by present and past pupils, and is also used by the choirs in Colombo for prayer services.

Notable alumni

• Professor Indira Samarasekera (née Arulpragasam), OC - President of the University of Alberta
• Professor Savitri Goonesekere - Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo.
• Sivagami Dassanaike - former Minister of Health
• Srimathi Dissanayake - UNP Presidential Candidate 1994
• Dhara Wijayatilake - former Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka; currently Secretary to the Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation
• Dr Gladys Jayawardene - former Chairperson, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Director, Medical Research Institute
• Dr Anila Dias Bandaranaike - former Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
• Prof Ryhana Raheem - Professor of English at the Open University of Sri Lanka, Former Chairperson of Sri Lanka English Language Teachers Association (SLELTA)
• Madhubahashini Disanayaka Ratnayaka - academic and author
• Tamara Kunanayakam - Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Holy See
• Aruni Wijewardene - Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria, Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Geneva); currently the Director-General of the United Nations and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Isankya Kodithuwakku - writer, winner of the Gratiaen Prize for Creative Writing (2006); winner of the State Literary Award (English, Short Story) 2006 *
• Otara Gunewardene - Founder of ODEL
• Varuni Amunugama Fernando - Founder of Derana and Triad Advertising
• Ashanthi De Alwis - Singer, Songwriter

External links

• Ladies college
• Obeyesekere, Ranjini (ed); Ladies’ College, A Centennial Narrative 1900 – 2000
• Ladies College Oga