St. Mary's College (Chilaw)

St. Mary's College, Chilaw

The motto
Potest Qui Vult
Latin - (We can if we but try!)
Location
Chilaw
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Coordinates 7°34′57″N 79°47′46″E / 7.582412°N 79.796212°E / 7.582412; 79.796212Coordinates: 7°34′57″N 79°47′46″E / 7.582412°N 79.796212°E / 7.582412; 79.796212
Information
Type Public
Established 1 May 1933
Founder Rev. Brother Caesar Albert
Principal Brother Director Rev. Bro. A. Sandalal Alwis
Grades Class 6 - 13
Gender Boys
Age 11 to 19
Enrollment 2500
Campus 5 acres (20,000 m2)
Colour(s) Black, gold and blue
            
Pupils Maryite’s

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.

History

St. Mary's College, Chilaw was established as St. Mary's English School. It was founded in the premises of late 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 First 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.

Main Building
St. John Baptist De La Salle -Patron Saint of the college

The college today

The collegey provides education to 2500 students from grade 6 to grade 13. It is governed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw and the provincial government.

College anthem

We are true sons of St.Mary’s
By her we’ll ever stand
With hearts all a beating with loyalty
To God and fellow man

"POTEST QUI VULT" Our watch word
We can if we but try
Meet squarely all the trials of life
Ready to do or die

Ever truthful and ever honest
Playing the game all right
Though shadows that lengthens around us
Turn and we face the light

College crest

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

College houses

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

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 September 17, 1933. St. Mary’s College began with a group of three Christian Brothers of the Order of De La Salle.

Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw] and Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop Emeritus were co-celebrants of Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chilaw on September 17 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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