THE STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. S. Dason

The year was very busy for the Student Christian Movement since we undertook many projects during the calendar year of 2010. Amongst them the Easter service and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols were the most colourful. The Easter service portrayed the final hours of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Carol Service was done with a colourful background and a wonderful performance by the students.

The Student Christian Movement also organized a trip to Jaffna along with the Archdeacon/Chaplain and the Headmaster and stayed at St. John’s College. A number of activities were planned out and the visits to some of the scenic coastal regions were most memorable. The bond we shared with the students would certainly remain in our minds. The additional cost was borne by the College needs mention.

Some of the other activities carried out were:

• Donating books to the Student Christian Movement library
• Re-activating the teen group and Bible study group
• Donating stationary and books from the College Library to the Tamil College at Iddalgashinna

We would also like to take this moment in thanking all those who helped the Student Christian Movement in numerous ways to carry out their programmes during the last year.

ENGLISH BIBLE READING CLUB

Consultant: Mrs. J.S. Chandrasekera

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. A. Joseph

This time too we held the Bible reading competition in the college. Students from Grade 2 to Grade 13 took part in this competition.

We are proud to say that almost all the Roman Catholic and Christian students participated. The panel of judges who were outsiders commended the performance as well as brought out the shortcomings in certain areas where the students could improve in their performance next time.

Students, by learning and reading the Bible in English gain more knowledge about the Bible. This helps the students to grow in wisdom and knowledge.

BUDDHIST STUDENTS MOVEMENT

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. A.J.M.U.S. Bandara

Buddhist Students commence their day with religious preaching. This year students too participated in the preaching which has helped in improving their oratory skills. And the following programmes were conducted.

• The inter-class ‘Vesak’ Lantern competition were held at the college grounds.
• The Annual 'Bakthi Gee' recital and the presentation of the ninth edition of the
• 'Methmal' magazine was published and presented to the public.
• A felicitation ceremony for the Teachers was conducted very successfully.
• A meditation programme was organized.
• A cow to be slaughted was released.

HINDU STUDENTS MOVEMENT

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. N. Viknesh

The Hindu Students’ Movement functions as a unit which promotes Hindu cultural traditions among students. The “Vani Vizha” celebration held on the 15th of October 2010 was a very successful event. Mr. M. Rubavathanan, Senior Lecturer of the Uva Wellassa University graced the occasion as the chief guest.

The ‘Vivekananda’ exam was held on the 13th of November 2010 and Mrs. V. Sivapakkiyavathy conducted the exam.

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY

Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. G.M. Raheem

The Meelad-Un-Nabi celebration is one of the main programmes that the Islamic Society of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela organizes annually and last year too it was held on a grand scale with the Chief Guest being the Ven. Dhiloraj Canagasabey. Many competitions were also held to mark the Holy Prophet Mohomed’s birth. Those who performed exceptionally during the competitions were also encouraged to take part at the Zonal Competitions.

The Islam students also take part in daily devotions and also go on Fridays for prayers at the Bandarawela Mosque.

SENIOR SINHALA LITERARY ASSOCIATION
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. W.M.R. Weerasinghe  

The Senior Sinhala Literary Association is formed with students from Grade 10 onwards with the  intention  of  developing  their  oratory  and  dramatic  talents  and  skills  by  taking  part  in
programmes  and  competitions  such  as  Essay  Writing,  Short  Story  Writing,  Poetry  and  the inter house drama competition was held very successfully.
 
 
JUNIOR SINHALA LITERARY ASSOCIATION
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Thilak Jayasiri
Assistants: Mr. A.J.M.U.S. Bandara and Mrs. P.H.Y.N. Gunaratne  

 
The association have had several sittings throughout the year in review. Stage dramas, videos and competitions were held. We have also participated in competitions organized by outside
sources.  I  am  thankful  to  the  teachers  for  the  support  and  co-operation  given.  We  hope  to continue with the same in the future too with many more additions to the present criteria.
 
 
SENIOR TAMIL LITERARY ASSOCIATION  
 
Teacher-in-charge:  Mr. G. Thangarajah

The Tamil Literary Association of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela aims in bringing out the language efficiency of the students through many ways. Students’ talents are exposed through
various competitions and cultural events such as the “Kalai Vizha” which is an annual event. The ‘Kalai Vizha’ 2010 was organized by the association with the support of the staff. Mr. D.
Devanayagam graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
 
 
SENIOR ENGLISH LITERARY ASSOCIATION
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. R. Kavitha

 
English Language can magnetise a person and can make him achieve more than what others or  he  himself  thinks  of  his  capability  of  deciding  on  a  language,  that  will  groom  his
personality and undertake independent training in fulfilment of the language and emerge as a winner.  The  Senior  English  Literary  Association  (Peagus)  of  S.  Thomas’  College,
Bandarawela functions with this magnetism and programmed with total commitment to uplift students overall personality with valid activities.  
 
The  annual  English  Day  competition  was  held  on  the  2nd  of  July  2010  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. Kesara Ranawaka graced the occasion as the Chief Guests. Outstanding students participated
at Zonal and District level competitions and did remarkably well.
 
 
JUNIOR ENGLISH LITERARY ASSOCIATION
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Anton Joseph

It’s a pleasure again to state about the above association, with all its pride this association has all its usual activities.
 
We have had 3 sittings for this year which made all the meetings colourful. The students performed various kinds of Arts throughout these sessions.
 
Singing, recitation, acting are mainly some of them. Junior  English  Literary  Association  helps  our  students  from  Grade  6  to  9  to  identify  their talents and grow from strength to strength.
 
We hope to do the same in future too.
 
 
WESTERN  MUSIC  CLUB
 
Teacher in charge – Senior - Miss. B.A.A.S. Banagoda
Teacher in charge – Junior - Miss. R. Mihirani Rebecca  

 
The western music club was formed to improve and develop the music and singing talents of students which has produced  remarkable  results  at a very  early stage by  our  senior students
being placed second  and  junior students being placed third at the  All  Island  Western Music Competition.
 
 
JUNIOR SCIENCE SOCIETY  
 
Teachers-in-charge: Mrs. S.M.A. Sudharma (Sinhala Stream)  
                                Mr. S. Surendrakumar (Tamil Stream)

 The Junior Science Society has been involved in activities such as do you know contests, and debates to improve the knowledge in science.
 
The Junior Science Society has been able to fulfil its objectives to improve the knowledge of Science in the fast growing world.  
 
 
LEO  CLUB
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. S. Dason
 
The Leo Club of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela is a club dedicated in bringing out the best in students especially through leadership programmes and talent programmes. They have
many  awards  in  the  past  and  the  most  notable  in  the  recent  past  been  the  runner-up  in  the most outstanding club and runner-up in the most outstanding advisor in the district. Members
are  chosen  from  the  students  from  Grade  6  upwards  and  at  present  there  are  about  80 members.  
 
 
ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE (JUNIOR)
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. B.C.P.M. Seneviratne

The environmental circle of the Primary section was introduced with the main aim of getting the students interested in nature at a very early age. Therefore activities and games are done
in  relation  to  nature  conservation  so  that  students  learn  to  love  and  care  for  their surroundings.
 
The  environmental  circle  meets  every  Friday  and  at  present  there  are  around  30  students. During  the  year  students  were  encouraged  to  maintain  a  garden  at  home  also  herbal  plants
were introduced so that they were able to understand the value of them. Steps were also taken to clean the surrounding in view of the dengue prevention campaign during the period under
review.
 
 
THE ART CIRCLE (SENIOR)
 
Teachers in charge: Mr. J.K.C.J.P. Manchanayake, Mr. S. Rajapakse, Mr. S.D.G. Tennakoon
 

Entertainment  events  such  as  singing,  music  and  dancing  are  performed  on  stage  to  enable students to gain confidence.  
 
 
ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE (SENIOR)
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Thilak Jayasiri
Assistants: Mr. A.J.M.U.S. Bandara, Mrs. P.H.Y.N. Gunaratne and Mrs. W.M.G.V. Hasanthi  

The environment circle gathers every Friday after school for weekly meetings and discusses project  proposals.  Students  have  participated  in  seminars  organized  in  view  of  the  World
Environment  Day  organized  within  the  institution  and  in  several  organizations.  A  tree planting campaign was also organized in view of the same.
 
An  award  ceremony  was  held  to  encourage  students  in  activities  related  to  Environment conservation.  
 
 
 
THE  ART  CIRCLE (PRIMARY SCHOOL)
 
Teacher-in-charge: Mrs. Y.M.V. de Soysa
Assistant: Miss. T.C.E. Wijesooriya  

The Primary school art circle was initiated in view of promoting and developing the talents of students  from  Grade  1  to  5.  Students  learn  the  different  forms  of  colouring  and  drawing
methods and also learn to share their in bound gifts as well.
 
Last  year  the  students  took  part  in  various  art  competitions  and  also  displayed  their handicrafts for the “Link Exhibition” as well.