Ladies’ College celebrates 125-year-old legacy in education

Ladies’ College celebrates a milestone and that is catering to education for a long period of 125 years

Walking down Flower Road, past the familiar stone walls, through the iconic red gates, past the Ixora bushes, the towering mango tree, and the benches where Pakiamuttu would greet you—time seems to pause. Moving by the Copleston block, the Chapel, the Main Hall, Simon block, Primary, KG, and the Back Garden, there’s a sense of continuity. While much has evolved over the decades, the spirit of Ladies’ College endures, unchanged and unwavering.

In 1900, a 26-year-old Irish woman, Miss Lilian Nixon, embarked on a journey that would lay the foundation for a legacy far beyond what she could have imagined. Starting with just two students at ‘Fairfield House’ in Union Place, and later moving to the 10-acre “Fernery” on Flower Road, lined with flaming red Flamboyant trees, Miss Nixon’s vision blossomed into a school that, 125 years later, continues to mould generations of young women. These young women have not only contributed to the fabric of Sri Lankan society but have also made their mark globally. Ladies’ College has always pushed the boundaries of excellence, encouraging its students to explore their potential in every field—from academics to sports, arts, sciences, and service. It remains a place of sound learning, spiritual growth, and varied experiences, nurturing young women of integrity, independence, and strength—women committed to serving with faith, courage, and resilience.

As we embark on this milestone year, the celebrations are a testament to the enduring legacy of Ladies’ College. In 2024, the 125th-Anniversary logo, featuring the red gates, was designed by a student, accompanied by a special video reflecting the question, “What does Ladies’ College mean to you?” The year-long festivities kicked off on Saturday, 1st February 2025, with a victorious Centenary Netball match between Ladies’ College and Girls’ High School, Kandy. The school’s premises are now adorned with lanterns, hand painted in the school’s proud colours of red and white by students from ages 2+ to 19 years, setting the stage for Tuesday, 11th February—Founders’ Day, cherished by all alumnae. The day will open with the traditional Founders’ Day Service, followed by the launch of the 125th Anniversary Anthem, sung by 125 voices. There will also be the unveiling of a 125-page Commemorative Book titled ‘Through the Red Gates … 100+25’, a special 125th-Anniversary Commemorative Stamp, and celebrations live-streamed worldwide. The day will also feature class parties, a school assembly, a heartfelt tribute, and the much-anticipated Prefects vs. Teachers Netball match.

The festivities will continue throughout the year, with highlights including the ‘LC Classics’ concert on 16th February, featuring outstanding performances by Old Girls, followed by the OGA Founders’ Day Service and brunch on the 22nd, and the OGA Sports and Swimming Meet on the 23rd. For the younger generation, celebrations will include a Tamil Dance Drama on 29th March, the ‘Everland’ Water Ballet on 3rd and 4th April, the Easter Cantata The Splendour of Easter with a 125-voice choir on 29th and 30th April, and a Sinhala Dance Drama titled  on 31st May. Later in the year, there will be a grand parade and carnival on 31st August, the ‘Music Fest’ on 17th to 20th September—a tribute to past LC musicals—and a family fashion show organised by the PTA on 29th November. These events celebrate the memories we cherish, the nostalgia we hold dear, and the future woven into the legacy of this institution.

Through 125 years, Ladies’ College has been a beacon of wisdom, strength, and purpose. As we honour our past, we look forward to reaping the harvest of the seeds sown long ago.

“They reap not where they laboured,..”
We reap what they have sown;
Our harvest may be garnered
By ages yet unknown.
    - excerpt from the Ladies’ College school hymn, 
    “Our Father By Whose Servants” - by Canon George Wallace Briggs (1920)

 Ladies’ College has always pushed the boundaries of excellence, encouraging its students to explore their potential in every field—from academics to sports, arts, sciences, and service