Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, the leading school for girls in Sri Lanka will marking its 100th milestone this year, with several programs lined up throughout the year. Proudly declaring 100 years of providing a sound education, as well as providing opportunities to thousands of girls to pursue extra-curricular activities, Visakha Vidyalaya, has remained the most-sought after school for girls in the country for many years, and as the school which requires the highest scores for entry through the Grade 5 Scholarship examination.
Visakha Vidyalaya also takes pride in having the highest number of achievers and the highest scorers at each and every GCE O/L and A/L examinations, especially in the Bio-Science stream, with the largest number of girls entering medical faculties. Apart from the traditional careers, Visakhians hold top positions and perform well in other non-traditional professions in various sectors, becoming visionaries in their own fields both here and abroad.
Visakha thus has reason to celebrate this 100th momentous milestone in style. The first major fund-raiser in the exciting line up of events for the year is the ‘Visakha Centenary Walk 2017.’ It is organized by the Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association jointly with the School Development Committee. The Walk will be held on February 11 starting from the school premises at 7.30 am. It will proceed along Vajira Road, Galle Road; turn to Bauddhaloka Mawatha at the Bambalapitiya Junction and to Havelock Road at Thunmulla and back to school via Vajira Road. On their return, a mini-carnival will be held at the school premises with food and beverages as well as DJ music to keep the crowd toe-tapping till 1 pm. The Organizing Committee has thus provided a valuable opportunity for the present and past Visakhians to reunite and celebrate their school’s 100 year journey.
The proceeds of the Walk will be exclusively channelled towards the construction of the new building for the primary school. The proposed three-storied building will enable Grade 3 and 4 classes - currently located within the senior school - to be housed along with the rest of the primary classes, bringing the primary school to one single location. A pavilion will also be included in the ground floor of the building for parents as a waiting room.... The primary building, one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association, will be a centennial gift to their Alma Mater.
Apart from the ‘Visakha Centenary Walk 2017,’ the first item will be the Bodhi Pooja on January 16, officially the school’s date of birth. On January 21, an alms giving for 100 Bhikkunis will be held at the school premises, in keeping with the school’s Buddhist traditions. A commemorative coin will be released at a ceremony in January. An educational exhibition is also scheduled for March.
Apart from the Centenary Walk, the second major fund-raiser for the year will be the Visakha Carnival scheduled for April 7 and 8, which is a grander version of the traditional Avurudu Pola that takes place at the school premises annually. A campfire will be held for past and present girl guides in August while the Visakha Geetha Natakaya will be held in October 2017.
The progress of the school over the years and the prestige it enjoys today as an outstanding seat of learning in the country is indeed a fitting tribute to the founder, the farsighted and philanthropic Mrs Jeremias Dias who envisioned the need to educate girls in the Buddhist way of life through this institution. Visakha continues to flourish at the forefront in girls’ education in Sri Lanka, 100 years on.
Hail Visakha
(This is a dedication to Visakha Vidyalaya and a tribute to the vision and generosity of its founder Mrs. Jeramias Dias who by establishing our school completely revolutionised girls’ education by empowering them to overcome challenges of the future. It is also dedicated to Principals, teachers and members of support staff, both past and present.)
Visakha, our Alma Mater
You were our guiding light.
You threw open your gates wide to welcome children from all walks of life.
You guided countless daughters of mother Lanka
And many passed through, to the halls of fame.
We strove to achieve excellence in our endeavours
You gave us wisdom, strength and virtue,
And many goals for us to pursue.
The light of learning glowed bright
And through wisdom we were purified.
With the fountain of knowledge cascading through,
Among the halls of learning you made an honourable name
You basked in our glory, took pride in our achievements too.
We gave praise and credit which were your due.
With our parents at work or at home,
You provided to us a second home.
From 8.30 a.m. until three
And in later years from 7.30 to half past one
We unloaded all our woes to thee,
The unsolved sums, unwritten essays and homework to be done.
With dancing, drama, singing and sports, we did have fun.
Our childish mischief, laughter, fun and pranks unleashed one by one,
School was such a beautiful place, as we stood together as one,
We are Visakha family, we are brought together by a bond we share.
We learnt to help those in need, with due concern and care
We grew up as individuals, with experiences rare
As time flies and years roll by
The pupils, past and present will no doubt be, keen, with enthusiasm running high
To celebrate the school centenary in the year two thousand and seventeen.
Damayanthi Perera (1970 O/L Batch)