The Success Story of St. Joseph’s College, Col-10

This institution, St. Joseph’s College in Colombo 10 has produced quintessential leaders in society.

An inexplicable joy fills my heart as I write down my thoughts on the “Hall of Fame, Educational Institute in our Motherland”.

Having proven itself throughout the years, the College stands tall as one of the leading Educational institutions in Sri Lanka.

Contributions to the society and nation

From its very inception, St. Joseph’s College in Colombo 10 has produced exemplary leaders in society. The atmosphere in the institution inspires and encourages students to equip themselves to confront great challenges which help them to stand out from others.

The Motto of the College has always been to uphold excellence in body, mind and spirit, giving priority to value-based education, thus fostering spiritual and human values.

The History of the College In Brief

St. Joseph’s College was founded on March 2, 1896. The Architect of this Sacred Institution was the Most Reverend Dr. Christophe-Etienne Bonjean, the first  Archbishop of Colombo. The first Rector was Very Rev. Fr. Charles Collins. With his devoted and dedicated staff, within 2 years of their sacrificing labour of love had made St. Joseph’s College, a “Glorious Educational Institute” in Sri Lanka.

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, was founded in 1896 to give Catholic students the best and the highest possible education as per the Motto, “In Scientia et Virtute” (In  Knowledge and Virtue). The aims of the founder were not only to impart knowledge but also to help the young Josephians to grow in virtue and to bring out and develop their God-given talents. The College also helps foster a Multi-Cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic environment, which is highly commendable.

With justifiable pride, it is recorded that during its glorious existence of 129 years, the College has imparted education in its broad sense, thus producing a galaxy of Josephians who are the pride of our beloved Sri Lanka.

Education for Life

Most importantly, we have gathered “Education for Life” under the coaching and guidance of our distinguished Educators at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10. They have motivated us to work for the value of peace, harmony, forgiveness, brotherhood and love. They have taught us to be compassionate, God-loving, to do things wholeheartedly and lead a heart-centred Life. They have inculcated the values of discipline, determination, dedication, devotion, creativity, punctuality, teamwork and respecting superiors, teachers and parents and formed character in us.

I place on record the immense valuable coaching, guidance and training provided to me by all my Pedagogues at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, in particular, I am grateful to the following Rev. Fr. Rectors, Teachers and Coaches, for moulding, sculpting and crafting me to reach a good position in my work and life;

Rev. Fr. Quintus Fernando, Rev. Fr. Neville Emmanuel and Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera (Former Rectors), A. Thomas (Grade One Class Teacher, 1976), Rohini Gnanasekaran, (my Grade two Class Teacher who transformed my life as a leader, in 1977), Therese Somanadhar, L. Bastianpillai (Grade Three Class Teachers), Rev. Sr. A. Agnicia (Grade Four Class Teacher), C. Karalasingham (Grade Five Class Teacher), T. Murugesu (English Teacher, Primary School) and Gnanatheepam (Gethsie) Shanmugam (Middle School, Life Education and English Teacher), Joe Perera (Middle School Principal), B.Thavanathan (Hinduism), Rev. Sr. Maria Goretti, (Grade Six Class Teacher and Religion, Tamil and Social Studies Teacher), J. Rodrigo (Grade 7 Class Teacher, Health Science, Commerce and Social Studies Teacher), C. Saverimuttu (Middle School, English Teacher), Shirley Perera (Grade 10 English Teacher), Eladius Fernando (Religious Teacher, Catholicism), Victoria Bestianpillai (Tamil Language and Literary), A. Florence (Science), S. Srikanth (Grade 10 Maths Teacher), Ratchel Douglas (Teacher-in-Charge, Cub Scouts), G.N.Lucas (Physics), N.Jeyanathan (Sectional Head, General Science and Chemistry), S. Sumathi (Botany), S.A. Kandiah (Zoology and Master-in-Charge of Tamil Literary Association), Siva Lokanathan (Mathematics and Scouts), Ranjit Amarasinghe (Sectional Head and Master-in-Charge of SVP Society), D.C. Jayasinghe (Deputy Principal, Upper School), Francis D’Almeida (Basketball Coach), Fairlie Dalpathado (Cricket Coach), Shirley Abeysena (Swimming Coach), Sisira Kumara (Karate) and Reggie Solangaarachchi and Boniface Perera (House Masters).

I am also grateful to Nimala Perera, who is the present Deputy Principal, Administration and Merril Shantha Fernando, the present Co-ordinator of the Upper School, who have been Teachers from my school days to date at St. Joseph’s College.  

Unique Achievement by my Mentor and Educator 

The Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award, considered the Nobel Prize of Asia, was awarded to my mentor and one of the most outstanding teachers of the college, Gnanatheepam (Gethsie) Shanmugam, who served widows and orphans in the North. She has brought glory and honour to our motherland.

The successful journey of the college is continued under the leadership and guidance of Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the 14th Rector of the college. 

The writer is the Former Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Blue and White Newsletter Committee and an Editorial Board Member of the Blue and White Centenary and Millennium Magazine Committee. He is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief and Media Adviser of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10.