Lyceum International School

Lyceum International School (Sinhala: ලයිසියම් ජාත්‍යන්තර පාසල, Tamil: லைசியம் சர்வதேச பாடசாலை), popularly known as Lyceum and its students as Lyceumers, is the largest International School network in Sri Lanka providing all pre-primary, primary and secondary education.[1][2]

Lyceum International School
Location
Nugegoda, Wattala, Panadura, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Avissawella

Sri Lanka
Coordinates6.870583°N 79.886139°E / 6.870583; 79.886139 (Lyceum Main School)
Lyceum Main School's Location
Information
TypeInternational School
MottoKnow thyself
Established14 June 1993 (14 June 1993)
FounderMohan Lal Grero
PrincipalKumari Grero
Teaching staff2,800 (academic)
Employees1,500 (non-academic)
Key peopleNikitha Grero
Michael Wilshaw
GradesLower Nursery - Grade 12 (Upper Sixth)
Age2 to 20
Number of students23,300
(as of 2023 March)
Student to teacher ratio8:1 (8.32)
(as of 2023 March)
Education systemEdexcel (International Stream)
Local (National Stream)
Houses
  • Ursa
  • Aquila
  • Cetus
  • Cygnus
Color(s)Blue and silver
  
Song"Lyceum our alma mater may the torch of learning burn, from body mind and spirit..."
PublicationBlossoms, Saroja
NewspaperThe Lyceumer
Websitewww.lyceum.lk

History

Lyceum International School was founded by Mohan Lal Grero in 1993. At its inception, Lyceum International School had only seven students and five teachers. The school's motto is derived from the Ancient Greek aphorism "Know thyself".[3] Lyceum is made up of the parent school in Nugegoda and eight branch schools in Wattala, Panadura, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Avissawella.[4]

The Lyceum International Schools Network currently has over 23,000 students and over 2,800 teachers.[4]

School

Location

Lyceum International School has nine branches across Sri Lanka providing both primary and secondary education,[5] and sixteen more branches providing pre-primary education[6] commonly known as "leaf schools". Lyceum International School also has four daycare centres for toddlers.[7]

Branch Est. Students Count Head of School Coordinates
Nugegoda 1993 5,300 Rajiv Ekanayake 6.870583°N 79.886139°E / 6.870583; 79.886139 (Lyceum International School - Nugegoda)
Wattala 2001 5,500 Stella Anton 6.986111°N 79.885917°E / 6.986111; 79.885917 (Lyceum International School - Wattala)
Panadura 2000 3,700 Nethan Wijesinghe 6.725583°N 79.904472°E / 6.725583; 79.904472 (Lyceum International School - Panadura)
Ratnapura 2005 2,000 Deepthi Kolamunna 6.687639°N 80.407611°E / 6.687639; 80.407611 (Lyceum International School - Ratnapura)
Gampaha 2006 2,900 Dilmi Ratnayake 7.104417°N 80.043583°E / 7.104417; 80.043583 (Lyceum International School - Gampaha)
Nuwara Eliya 2012 600 Clive R. Christopher 6.980222°N 80.764611°E / 6.980222; 80.764611 (Lyceum International School - Nuwara Eliya)
Anuradhapura 2013 850 Asalangika Udawela 8.311722°N 80.433778°E / 8.311722; 80.433778 (Lyceum International School - Anuradhapura)
Kurunegala 2016 2,000 Chandana Basnayake 7.477611°N 80.367472°E / 7.477611; 80.367472 (Lyceum International School - Kurunegala)
Avissawella 2022 100 Chandana Basnayake 6.933059°N 80.216835°E / 6.933059; 80.216835 (Lyceum International School - Avissawella)

Curriculum

Lyceum's senior school students sit for the Pearson Edexcel International Examinations for their Ordinary Levels and Advanced Level Examinations its examination body.[8]

Since 2010, students are given the option of choosing between the Cambridge syllabus or the National syllabus in the English language, which gives them the opportunity to be eligible for higher education at public universities in Sri Lanka. In 2022, Cambridge syllabus was removed from the curriculum and was replaced by Pearson Edexcel syllabus.[9]

Lyceum has consistently produced some of the island's best examination results, and its students have successfully been enrolled in the world's best universities.[8]

Lyceum has launched the first phase of e-learning at the Lyceum Group along with the instigation of curfew, on the 16 March 2020.[10]

Houses

The students are divided into four houses.[11] Established in 1993 the houses were named after animals that held significance in various stories and legends. These animals played unique roles and held symbolic meanings in Greek mythology.

House Name House Symbol House Description House Colours Established
Ursa House[11] The Bear Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, symbolized strength, power, and ferocity. It represented the nymph Callisto, who was transformed into a bear by the goddess Artemis. Zeus intervened and transformed Callisto and her son Arcas into bears, placing them among the stars as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.  

Pink

 1993
Aquila House[12] The Eagle Aquila, depicted as an eagle, held symbolic importance as a divine creature associated with Zeus. The eagle played a role in the myth of Zeus and Ganymede, where Zeus transformed into an eagle to abduct the handsome Trojan prince Ganymede and bring him to Mount Olympus.  

Red

1993
Cetus House[13] The Sea Monster Cetus, the sea monster, represented chaos, danger, and the untamed nature of the sea. It played a significant role in the story of Andromeda, where it was sent by Poseidon as punishment for Queen Cassiopeia's arrogance. Perseus ultimately slayed the sea monster to save Andromeda.  

Green

1993
Cygnus House[14] The Swan Cygnus, represented by a swan, held symbolic significance as a graceful and elegant creature associated with beauty and music. In one myth, Zeus disguised himself as a swan to approach Queen Leda, resulting in the birth of Helen of Troy and the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux. The musician Orpheus was also transformed into a swan for his exceptional musical talent.  

Yellow

1993

Maathra

Maathra is an annual cultural dancing event produced and performed by Lyceum International School which was envisioned by school's founder, Mohan Lal Grero and administered by Kumari Grero in 2008. Under the guidance of Rasika Kothalawala, the Head of Cultural Dancing, around 600 performers hailing from Lyceum International School branches including Nugegoda, Panadura, Wattala, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya, and Kurunagala undergo training annually to showcase their talents at a significant event.[15]

Maathra is considered as the Sri Lanka's biggest cultural dancing event of the year and usually takes place in October at BMICH or Nelum Pokuna Theatre. Distinguished chief guests includes Sri Lanka's president and the advisory council of the Lyceum International School.[16]

Awards
Competition Year Country Award/Place Description
International Cultural Dancing Competition 2018 Russia World's Best
(first place)		 With the expertise of Head of Cultural Dancing, Rasika Kothalawala nearly 600 performers from Lyceum International School in Nugegoda, Panadura, Wattala, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya and Kurunagala are being trained to perform at the event each year. Maathra has won the first place titled "World's Best" in International Cultural Dancing Competition held in Russia, in January 2018.[15]
BestWeb.lk Annual Competition 2023 Sri Lanka Gold Award
(first place)		 The Lyceum International School website won the Gold Award for the "Best University and Educational Institute Website in Sri Lanka" (in both government and private education sectors) at the prestigious BestWeb.lk 2023 competition. The Lyceum International School website was selected top among over 570 other competitors and over 30 other competitors from the same category.[17][18]

Achievements

Model United Nations Club

Lyceum is an annual participant of COMUN (Colombo Model United Nations) and SLMUN (Sri Lanka Model United Nations).[19] The Lyceum delegation won the best school and best delegation award in the COMUN 2011 Conference along with several other awards and has also been runners up in most of the previous conferences. Lyceum International School Wattala Branch also has participated in COMUN 2012 Conference winning GA2 Best Delegate Award. Lyceum International School Nugegoda Branch annually Hosts LISMUN Conference.[20]

Inter International Schools Athletic Championship (ISAC)

Inter International Schools Athletic Championship (ISAC) is the Sri Lanka's biggest school sporting annual event and Lyceum International School was the host for several years. Each year about 23 international schools are participating with over 2,000 athletes in over 100 live sporting events. Lyceum International School Wattala was the consecutive overall winner for over 5 years with the most medals count.[21][22][23]

ISAC 2021 and 2022 was not held due to COVID-19. In the most recent ISAC event, the ISAC 2023 Lyceum International School was able to win 175 medals in total with 60 gold, 66 silver and 49 bronze medals.[24][25]

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "One Glorious Journey: Celebrating Three Decade Excellence Of The Lyceum International School". The Sunday Times. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. "Curriculum — Lyceum International School". www.lyceum.lk. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. "Journey into Self: the Lyceum Experience". Daily Mirror. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Wijeya Newspapers. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  4. "News Grand Opening of Lyceum Pre - Primary School, Kuliyapitiya!". Daily Mirror. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Wijeya Newspapers. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. "Branches — Lyceum International School". Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. "Leafs — Lyceum International School". Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  7. "Daycare — Lyceum International School". Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  8. "Lyceum Education: Exploring New Pathways". Daily Mirror. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Wijeya Newspapers. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. "Upper School Curriculum — Lyceum International School". Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  10. "The Perfect Educational Solution for Present "COVID-19 Outbreak" from Lyceum Schools - Sri Lanka". Daily Mirror. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Wijeya Newspapers. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  11. "Lyceum International School, Nugegoda - Inter-House Drama Competition 2019". The Daily Mirror. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  12. "Aquila House Champions at Lyceum Anuradhapura Athletic Meet". The Papare. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. "Cetus comes above the rest - The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. "Cygnus House emerge champions - The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. "Maathra 11: A spectacular Sri Lankan Cultural Dancing Show - Life Online". Life.LK. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  16. "Maathra 11 : A cultural night with exceptional performances - Sunday Observer". The Sunday Observer. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  17. "BestWeb.lk 2023 Winners". 20 July 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  18. "The Lyceum International School Website Snatches Gold at the BestWeb.LK Awards — Lyceum International School". 9 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  19. "Another feat by Lyceum". Daily News. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. "Model United Nations Society". LOGOS COLLEGE. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  21. "International Schools Athletic Championship 2018 (ISAC) 2018 - Mirror Education Mirror Education". The Papare. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  22. "Lyceum International Schools among highest achievers at ISAC 2019 - The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  23. "Shelinda strikes again as Best Athlete at ISAC 2020". The Papare. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  24. "Lyceum Wattala win overall championship at ISAC 2023 - Breaking News - Daily Mirror". The Daily Mirror. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  25. "Lyceum International Schools steals the show at ISAC 2023 with 175 Medals". The Papare. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  26. "Best foot forward - Daily News". The Daily News. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  27. "Life Online - Amanda Rathanayake". www.life.lk. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  28. "Life itself is an art - Devnaka Porage". lankahotnews. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  29. "No matter what I do, I will not stop learning: Devnaka Porage". Dinamina. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  30. "They held their son's hands as he breathed his last - Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  31. "1st Sri Lankan Doctor Dies of COVID-19". News First. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
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