St. Mary's College, Chilaw

St. Mary's College, Chilaw is one of the oldest English educational institutes of past Ceylon. St. Mary's College is a provincial school, which provides secondary education.

St. Mary's College, Chilaw
Location

Coordinates7.582412°N 79.796212°E / 7.582412; 79.796212
Information
TypePublic
MottoPotest Qui Vult
Latin - (We can if we but try!)
Established1 May 1933 (1933-05-01)
FounderCaesar Albert
PrincipalJanaka Nishantha
GradesClass 6 - 13
GenderBoys
Age11 to 19
Enrollment2500
Campus5 acres (20,000 m2)
Colour(s)Black, gold and blue
   
PupilsMaryite’s

History

St. Mary's College, Chilaw was established as St. Mary's English School. It was founded in the premises of G. S. Perera at Jetty Street Chilaw. In 1905 the school was shifted to the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall, which was situated near the cathedral of Chilaw.

On 1 May 1933, the college handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and shifted to the current location, its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert.

It was a mixed school of girls and boys where the former principals were Rev. Father Joseph David Fernando and J. Robert Fernando who were attached to community of Oblates Mary immaculate. Messrs Len Karunaratne, Peter Lawrence Perera, A. G. Cambal and Roach were former head masters.

Sinhala, Tamil, English languages which were converted to multilingual medium college on 1 May 1933, handed over the administration to the De La Salle brothers and its first director was Rev. Bro. Caesar Albert.

The college today

The college provides education to 2,500 students from grade 6 to grade 13. It is governed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw and the provincial Government.

College crest

  • Ocean
  • Shining Star
  • AM (Ave Maria)
  • Motto - "Potest Qvi Vult"

The shining star, also known as the ocean star, symbolises Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

College houses

  • De Costa House
  • Camillus House
  • Robert House
  • De La Salle House

Past principals (rectors)

Name From To
Bro.Caesar Albert 01.05.1933 1935
Bro.Theodoret of Mary 17.06.1935 1939
Bro.Antony Francis 30.04.1939 1940
Bro.Vaclay Maria 25.08.1940 1943
Bro.Hermenegild (acting 05.11.1943 1944
Bro.Caesar Albert 16.01.1944 1945
Bro.Cassian of Jesus 10.04.1945 1946
Bro.Hugh Faringdon 01.01.1947 1948
Bro.Anselm Calixtus 01.09.1948 1950
Bro.Hugh Faringdon
Bro.Hermenegild Joseph 15.02.1950 1953
Bro.Anselm Calixtus 02.05.1953 1953
Bro.lawrence Justinian 26.06.1953 1955
Bro.Glastian Oliver 29.06.1953 1958
Bro.Hugh Faringdon 01.01.1959 1959
Bro.lewis of Jesus 01.01.1960 1965
(The school was handed over to Govt. on 08.10.1962)
Bro.Thomas Alphonsus 04.01.1966 1968
Bro.Edwin Ambrose 01.06.1969 1979
Bro.George de Silva 15.09.1979 1986
Bro.Aloysius Stephen 20.10.1986 1992
Bro.Placidus Fernando 15.01.1992 01.10.1995
Bro.Sadalal Alwis 2011 2016
Fr.Benate Shantha 2016 2017
Mr.Munasingha Parakrama 2017 2021
Fr.Janaka Nishantha 2021

Diamond jubilee

Celebration of 75 years since its inception was celebrated on September 17, 2008. The college was founded and formed under the mantle of De La Salle Christian Brothers on 17 September 1933. St. Mary’s College began with a group of three Christian Brothers of the Order of De La Salle.

Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw and Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop Emeritus were co-celebrants of Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chilaw on 17 September, followed by a procession to the venue at St. Mary’s College where a meeting was held with the guests, students, parents and well-wishers.

References

Derivation
De La Salle Brothers of Ceylon – Part 2 ( 1919-1961 )
By Bro. Michael Robert.
Old Boys Association of St.Mary's College, Chilaw

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