A Whispered Dream: The Birth and Growth of St. John’s Girls’ School, Panadura

In 1885, as Amelia Jansz awaited her second child, she nurtured a vision she could no longer contain. One evening, she whispered to her husband, Cyril Arnold Jansz, the distinguished Eurasian Burgher educator who had led St. John’s College since 1879: “What of our girls? They deserve their own haven where minds can flourish”.
Cyril acted decisively. He leased land opposite the Town Hall on Galle Road and built a simple cadjan-roofed structure. With unwavering confidence in his wife’s capabilities, he appointed Amelia as Headmistress and sole teacher, and named the institution St. John’s Girls’ School.
That modest shed Amelia opened on June 9, 1885, 140 years ago, with just six girls, has transformed under Lakshila into a ‘Thakshila’ of the modern age, a prestigious private girls’ school touching thousands of lives across generations.

St. John’s Girls’ School has consistently adapted to modern educational needs while respecting its historical legacy

What began as a whispered dream between husband and wife became an enduring legacy.
Evolving Excellence: Leadership and Legacy
Under the dynamic leadership of Principal Lakshila Ilapperuma, who swiftly ensured the commencement of Advanced Level Commerce and Arts streams shortly after assuming her duties in 2014, St. John’s Girls’ School entered a new era of educational expansion. With the able assistance of Deputy Principal Anushka Abeyratne, she further enriched the curriculum by introducing Advanced Level Mathematics and Biological Science streams in 2016, alongside English medium classes from grades one to six.
The Principal also successfully diversified extracurricular offerings by establishing Western and Eastern bands. In sports, the girls actively participate in chess, gymnastics, volleyball, netball, badminton, and cricket. Speaking of cricket, the school proudly shares the distinction of having played the first-ever women’s cricket match on Sri Lankan soil against its sister school, St. John’s College, in 1933—an unbreakable record that St. John’s Schools in Panadura cherishes.
St. John’s Girls’ School has continuously evolved to meet contemporary educational demands while honouring its rich heritage. For 140 years, these hallowed halls have witnessed the transformation of young girls into confident women who have gone on to excel in diverse fields. They have carried the school’s values of excellence, integrity, and service into the wider world, becoming leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
From Vision to Distinction: A Legacy of Growth
From modest beginnings, St. John’s Girls’ School has blossomed into one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished educational institutions, nurturing over 2,100 students from Lower Nursery to Advanced Level. This remarkable journey has been sustained by a dedicated tutorial staff of 150 professionals, who bring both expertise and passion to their educational mission.
The founders’ extraordinary foresight led to the establishment of a governance structure designed to ensure the school’s longevity, creating a Board of Trustees to safeguard its future. Today, under the stewardship of Chairman Upul Abeywardena and fellow trustees Mahesh Manjula Jayaweera and Harsha Sri Livendra Kathriarachchi, this venerable legacy continues with unwavering dedication and visionary leadership.
Their collective commitment honours the school’s storied past while guiding its evolution to meet the demands of contemporary education—a testament to the enduring strength of the foundation laid over a century ago.
As we commemorate this milestone, we celebrate not just an institution but a living legacy—a vibrant community of educators, students, parents, and alumni united by a shared vision. Through wars, pandemics, social change, and technological revolutions, St. John’s Girls’ School has adapted with resilience, all while remaining steadfast in its core mission of empowering girls through education.
The 140th anniversary invites us to reflect on our illustrious past while embracing the promise of the future. It is a tribute to the countless individuals who have helped make this institution a cornerstone of educational excellence in Panadura and beyond.
St. John’s Girls’ School later came under the umbrella of St. John’s Schools and Colleges. In keeping with the vision that the school should continue to flourish even in the absence of its founders, Mr. Cyril Arnold Jansz appointed a Board of Trustees to ensure its continued well-being. He entrusted sole ownership of the girls’ school to the Board, which was composed of one member from the Jansz family, three members from the Association of Old Johnians, and one representative from the school’s staff.
Today, St. John’s Girls’ School stands as a prestigious private institution, recognised for its excellence in girls’ education. It remains strong and steady, serving the community in and around Panadura, and competes admirably with the leading schools across the island.
Seventy-six years later, the writer’s heart still races remembering January 29th, 1949—his first trembling steps as a five-year-old into upper kindergarten, joining three older sisters already in higher classes. Class teacher Miss Blacker’s gentle guidance and Headmistress Ms. Podger’s reassuring smile at the gate remain unfading memories. In that moment, the youngest of a family already part of the school’s fabric found not just education, but a sanctuary that became his second home.