Trinity College, Kandy
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| Trinity College, Kandy | |
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Respice Finem (Look to the end)
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| Location | |
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Kandy, Sri Lanka  |
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| Information | |
| Principal | Roderick R Gilbert |
| Type | Independent, Private |
| Color(s) | Maroon Gold Navy |
| Established | 1872 |
| Homepage | www.trinitycollege.lk |
Trinity College, Kandy founded in 1872 by Anglican missionaries, is as an Independent private boys’ school providing primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka.
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[edit] Pre-history
The antecedents of Trinity College go back to 1817; just two years after Britain had gained control of the central hills of Sri Lanka and with it the entire island in 1815. The first missionaries from Britain, Mr. and Mrs. Browning set up an elementary school of humble proportions in Kandy, which flourished in its day but was later closed down for unknown reasons.
Four decades later, Rev. Ireland Jones established the Kandy Collegiate School in 1857 at the same premises, but again for unknown reasons was closed down in 1863. Upon those foundations was founded in 1872 a new school, which was named Trinity College, after Rev. Ireland Jones' alma mater, Trinity College Dublin.
James Alexander Dunuwille Srn, by then Deputy Queen’s Advocate, donated a large extent of land to Trinity College. This donation was said to have been done during the time of the Kandy Collegiate School founded by Rev. Ireland Jones, the fore runner to Trinity College, before the same school was re-opened in 1872 as Trinity College - Kandy.
His three sons were educated at Trinity as were three generations thereafter. Two of his daughters Sarah Elizabeth Dunuwille who died on 26th June 1854 and Annie Henrietta Florence Dunuwille who died on 26th June 1859 were buried at Trinity and their grave stones were to be seen between the Gaster Block and Alison House until they were removed a few years ago to make way for new buildings.
[edit] The College today
Trinity College has established herself as an institution of education emphasizing not only the pursuit of scholarship but also good discipline while offering students every facility to grow into a complete personality; a school with activities so diversified that there is abundant life throughout the day - every day. Those passing through the hallowed learning halls of the school have held positions of responsibility in their own land and have shown remarkable competence at international level.
Trinity is one of the leading schools in Sri Lanka with a rich heritage. It is a multi-ethnic and a multi-religious school which, having a strong Christian foundation, has contributed immensely towards the establishment of peace and harmony amongst a divided nation. The motto of Trinity is "Respice Finem" ("Look to the End"), so Trinity looks, if not to the end, to the years ahead of serving the youth of Sri Lanka.
[edit] Past principals of Trinity
- Rev Jon Ireland Jones MA (Trinity College, Dublin)
- Rev Richard Collins MA (Cantab)
- Rev J. G. Garrett MA (Trinity College, Dublin)
- Rev E. N. Hodges MA (Oxon), DD
- Rev E. J. Perry MA (Oxon)
- Rev H. P. Napier-Clavering MA (Cantab)
- Rev R. W. Ryde MA (Cantab)
- Rev Alexander Garden Fraser MA (Oxon), CBE
- Canon J. McLeod Campbell MA (Oxon), MC, DD
- Rev Robert Stopford MA(Oxon), DD(Lond), KCVO, CBE
- Mr C. E. Simithraaratchy BSc (Cey.)
- Mr Norman S. Walter MA (Oxon)
- Mr Cedric J. Oorloff BA (Lond), CCS
- Mr E. Lionel Fernando BA (Cey.)
- Rev Dr. W. G. Wickremasinghe MA (Oxon), DD
- Lt. Col. Leonard M. De Alwis MA (Hull)
- Prof Warren R. Breckenridge BSc (Cey.), PhD (McGill)
[edit] Houses at Trinity
| Juvenile Houses | Middle School Houses | Senior Day Houses | Senior Boarding Houses |
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[edit] College anthems
| College Song | College Hymn |
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| It's good to see the School we knew, The land of youth and dream, To greet again the rule we knew, Before we took the stream; Though long we've missed the sight of her, Our hearts may not forget; We've lost the old delight of her, We keep her honour yet. The stars and sounding vanities, The men that tanned the hide of us, To speak of fame a venture is, We will honour yet the School we knew, |
Where river, lake and mountain meet, Our boyhood's home surrounding, A path behold for youthful feet, The path of life abounding; Still up it climbs by cliff and crag, The mount of truth ascending, Though oft thereon the pilgrim flag, It leads to life unending. Oh life is good, both here and now, That joyous Trump! and can it be, Then bravely brother, breast the path, Now unto Father, Spirit, Son, |
| Sir Henry Newbolt | W. S. Senior |
[edit] Early chronology of Trinity College
| 1857 | 16th October – The Kandy Collegiate School is opened by Rev. J Ireland Jones in response to an appeal for a school of higher education in Kandy. It functioned for about 6 years |
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| 1872 | 17th January – The school is reopened by Rev. Richard Collins. Trinity dates its existence from this year. At the inception, there were 40 - 50 boys. Tuition fees were Rs.10 for Upper School and Rs.3 for Lower School |
| 26th August – The First Prize Giving is held | |
| 1873 | College Motto “Respice Finem” and Original Crest devised by the Principal |
| 1875 | 19th March – The Literary Association founded by Mr. Andrew Loos. This is currently the oldest school literary association in Sri Lanka. |
| 1876 | 15th May – First issue of College magazine. It was edited and managed by Mr. L.E. Blaze |
| Annual Report of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) states: ”The Kandy Collegiate School is henceforth to be denominated as Trinity College Kandy” | |
| 1888 | Natural History Society (NHS) founded |
| 1893 | Old Boys’ Association (OBA) founded |
| 1898 | Napier House started with new dormitory |
| 1902 | Cadet Corps became the Trinity Company of the Cadet battalion of the Ceylon Light Infantry |
| J. A. Halangoda appointed Football Captain | |
| 1904 | Four prefects appointed for the first time (J.S. Daniel, C.B. Aluvihare, R.S Tennekoon and P.C. Dedigama) |
| 1906 | College colors changed to the present colors Maroon, Gold and Navy (from Dark Green, Old Gold and chocolate Brown) |
| 1908 | Colombo Branch of the Old Boys Association offers The Ryde Gold Medal for the Best All-round Trinitian. First Winner – John Andrew |
| 1910 | Start of House system with founding of Alison House |
| Formation of the Trinity College Union for Social Service | |
| Inter-House contests begin (Cricket, Rugby and Inter-Association Debate) | |
| Rev. A. G. Fraser acquires 8 acres of land free from the Army that are now the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium | |
| 1912 | 2nd March - The first Inter-Colligate debate against St. Thomas College held in Colombo |
| First Annual magazine. The cover design drawn by Mr. Gaster becomes the new (and present) College Crest | |
| The Union of Social Service carried out an experiment in Paddy Cultivation according to a new productive method intended for promotion amongst villages | |
| 1913 | Boxing introduced as a school sport |
| Sinhala Oratorical Society formed | |
| 1914 | Union of Social Service investigated into the living conditions of the poorer classes of society. The information was later used by the Government. The Attorney General acknowledged in the Legislative Council when introducing the Housing Bill, his debt to the Trinity Boys for the information |
| 4 Trinitians left to the Great War – Richard Aluvihare, A. Halangoda, A. Rudra and F. Drieberg Altogether during the next 4 years 65 Trinitians went to the war front – 13 gave their lives, 18 wounded or gassed, 2 taken prisoner, 4 decorated, 3 received commissions. Recognizing the part played by Trinity, the King of England presented the College with a gift of a captured German Machine Gun. It can still be seen beside the Basketball Court |
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| 1915 | 15th January – New cricket pitch at Asgiriya formally opened. The Pavilion (which is now called “The Old Pavilion”) completed at the same time. |
| Riots across Sri Lanka. 36 Trinity Boys responded to Rev. Fraser’s call for volunteers to protect life and property. In recognition of Trinity’s contribution the Government remitted a Rs.1,000 claim as rent for the new cricket field | |
| “Lions” were awarded for the first time for outstanding performances in Cricket, Rugby, Boxing, Shooting, marching and Military Efficiency | |
| In the Cambridge Senior Local Examination, Trinity received the first 4 distinctions in the world in Book keeping and for the 3rd year in a succession headed the Commercial Examination |
[edit] References
- Trinity College Magazine 2004
- Trinity College Hand Book 2003
- 125 Years of Trinity - Official Publication
- Trinity College Kandy Official Web Site
[edit] See also
- Trinity College Chapel
- The Ryde Gold Medal
- The Trinity Lion
- Bradby Shield Encounter
- Notable Alumni of Trinity College, Kandy
- Notable Teachers of Trinity College, Kandy
