History
The Echoes of a Prestigious Line of Eras
With the dawn of the 19th Century, the dream of Girls’ High School became a reality, in the year 1879 under the divine shades of Reverend Samuel Langdon and his wife. The era witnessed a competition among several missionaries establishing bilingual and Svabasha schools country-wide which proved education for the young generation of the country. After having decided to set up High School Island-wide the Methodist Church unanimously agreed to a proposal on instituting a High School for girls. It was soon materialized with the creation of the new school at the Wesleyan School Chapel, Katukele on the 21st of May 1879.
Rev. Samuel Langdon and his wife
Girls’ High School was first managed with the registered student population of 11 students by her founders, Reverend Samuel Langdon and his wife until Miss Payne arrived form England in July, to occupy the position of Principal until February 1880. Eventually, the governors of the school compelled to shift the school to the Methodist Church at Brownrigg Street(Present Yatinuwara Street inKandy City). In May 1880 Miss E.S.Hay arrived from England to take over the duties as the Principal with the attendance of 74 students. In 1883, Miss Young took over the reins as the Principal unit the loyal service of Miss M.R.Smith being the principal for two years. It was the era of esteemed line-up of Principals of British origin who served the school with utmost commitment. Miss Lawrance assumed duties in 1890 and served for the lengthy period of the whole decade, heavily engaging in the task of enriching the traditions and the development drive. It was well reflected in the achievement of Miss Priscilla Marshall, as the first lady graduate of the Island in 1898, making a mark in the early history of the school.
Miss F.R.Sansom took over the reins of the school in 1901 and served being the Principal for eighteen years, creating an era of revolutionary transformation. she was instrumental in establishing the High School Sunday Choir and it was symbolic that the Old Girls’ Association of the school was first formed during her office in 1909. It was recorded that this era is marked with a significant advancement of education , infrastructural and societal dimensions of the school. Namely the Girl Guide company was first introduced on the 21th July , 1917, under the leadership of Miss J.Calverley which was followed by the establishment of the Little Friends’ Movements (Brownie Company) in 1918. She pioneetred the Ranger company in 1921 and Miss Gladys Vanderstraten become the first Girl Guide leader of the country, embellishing the school hat with another feather. The leading role played by High School in the Sri Lanka’s Scout Movement continues to be legendary.
Later, Mrs.J.Greene (nee Calverley) occupied the position of the acting Principal from 1920 to 1921. Her invaluable services towards the upliftment of the Girl Guides Movement is forever recalled with deep gratitude. She experienced the challenging situation cropped up due to the outbreak of a plague in the town in 1920. She managed to carryout the spirit of work of the school at YMCA, YWCA and the Trinity College. She toiled much in occupying the land adjoined to the school chapel( The Mission Bungalow). The student population grew in number and the school has been located at the adjoining bungalow and in 1920, it was permanently relocated in its present location.
Mrs.C.M.Gordon (nee Mallet) took over the reins of the school from 1921 to 1934 which was symbolical in launching many “Firsts” for the country. The School Uniform with the Tie , the House system, the School Crest and the School Prefect Board are some of the many traditions introduced to the school education system by Girls’ High School, Kandy.
In 1934, Miss E.M.Shire hold the position of the acting Principal , who steered the school with a great sense of responsibility , until Miss Ruth Allen took over the duties in 1935. She led the school with much vigour during the time of World War II. she conducted the Air Raid Precaution Practices in the school garden. Moreover, she was instrumental in introducing the University Entrance Examination in the school. she discharged the duties with a great commitment being the last Methodist Principal in the line.
Miss Grace Paul occupied the position of the First Sri Lankan Principal in the history of the school, during the era in which the National Languages were introduced as the media of education with the implementation of the Free Education System in 1952. She initiated the subject Science in the school curriculum in order to prepare students to enter the faculties of Medicine, Science and Engineering in the universities. And also , she provided laboratory facilities for the students with the help of Kingswood College. The two stored building which is presently occupied for the office complex was erected during the era of Mrs. Grace Paul, and the well clock fixed on it was also one of her generous contributions to the school.
In 1955, Mrs.Erica La Brooy, took over the duties of the school. during her era in 1961, the state took over the schools owned by the Christian Missionaries. It was a turning point of the school towards providing education for the masses of the country. Religion was introduced to the school curriculum as a compulsory subject Mrs.Erica La Brooy served the school until Mrs.Hema Jayasinghe took over duties of the school in 1964 as the Principal. Mrs.Hema Jayasinghe being a Past Pupil and a teacher of Girls’ High School was blessed to become the Principal of her Alma Master making a mark in the history being the First Old Girl who become the principal. She made a dazzling era of the school by pioneering many activities. It was during her reign , the religious observances were performed in all the four religions, Buddhism, Christianity , Hinduism and Islam. She took the initiative of introducing Hockey to the school, opening the gates for the students to engage in sports and games beyond classroom teaching learning process.
Mrs.Hema Jayasinghe
She handed over the reigns of the school to her sister, Mrs.Chithra Abayarathna, who joined the line up Principals of the school in 1967. The Sinhala translation of the school song was introduced and the school western band which become the First Girls’ School Band in the Kandy District during her era. Further , the foundation stone of the two storied Science Laboratory for the Advanced Level students was laid and the Tennis Court initiated by her was also ceremonially opened creating opportunities for the students to engage in sports and games during her era.
Mrs. T.K.Ekanayake occupied the prestigious position of the Principal in1969. In 1972 , after three years of her service, she abolished the Primary Section . MrsT.K.Ekanayake was instrumental in forming the Hewisi Band, establishing the National school Cadet Unit and the Oriental Orchestra of the school. Furthermore , she introduced the vital subjects like Home Science , and commerce to the stream of Advanced level in order to create opportunities for the young learners to learn the very essential skill of life She took the initiative in establishing the school co-operative shop an also encouraged the saving habit among schoolchildren through the sponsorship of the bank unit established in the school.
Mrs T.K.Ekanayake was blessed with the Centenary Commemoration Building and the most prestigious historic occasion of the “Centenary Celebration” of the school. She contributed much of the development of the resources of the school by erecting new two storied building during her reign. She continued for 29 year of lengthy passage of time, steering Girl’s High school towards greater heights in all spheres of the development drive of the school. She led the school with a rare spirit of devotion until her retirement in 1990.
Mrs. T.K.Ekanayake
In 1990 Mrs H.M.M.K.Amunugama took over the duties as the principal with a great sense of responsibility and served the school with an immense commitment initiating several projects. She contributed much towards the achievements of the Aesthetic Section. The beautification project launched to add new look to the school Main hall with the addition of the balcony after refurbishment. She was instrumental in creating the “Colours’ Eve” to honour and felicitate the young sportswomen, who bought honour to the school. Her boundless services towards the upliftment of the standard of sport and games are noteworthy.
Mrs.G.N.Silva was appointed as the Principal to Girls’ High School in 2001. It was during her tenure, the dream of the re-establishment of the primary section become a reality. The re-establishment has been approved by the Minister of Education, Hon. Richard Pathirana on the 18th January 2001, creating opportunities for the little hearts of Girls’ High School to nurture in the safety hands of their Alma Mater. She took the initiative in providing well-equipped modern
Communication system and constructing buildings with a well maintained sanitary service unit for the student of the primary section with the intention of promoting good health care
Mrs.R.N.Amarasinghe was the next appointed Principal who took over duties in 2002. She rendered a grate service to the school. She initiated the erection of the Buddhist Shrine, and installing a new computer room with 15 computers donated by various associations and parents of the school. The school ‘Sisu Udana ’Bank unit sponsored by the People’s Bank was also opened under her guidance to promote saving habit among students. Her contribution towards the Aesthetic Section is also praiseworthy.
It was her time that the school produced the drama ‘Sama Natya’ (Drama of Peace) on the theme of the burning critical issues in the society. Mrs.R.N.Amarasinghe recognized the students hostel and refectory in order to strength the Welfare of the Teachers and Students. The song sung at the daily dismissal was also composed She has instrumental in organizing the ‘First High School Walk’ in commemoration of 125th Anniversary of the school. A ceremonial opening of the building constructed for the Primary Section was followed by the pirith chanting and alms giving ceremony.
Mrs.K,D.S.Perera was appointed to the school as the acting Principal in 2003 and she was instrumental in organizing the First Sports Exhibition and Carnival in celebrating of the 125th Anniversary Prize Giving of the school ,making a mark in school’s history.
In 2004 Mrs.H.M.Wataliyadda took over the duties of the Principal of the school. She initiated the Senior Cadet Band of the school and contributed immensely towards the renovation process of the netball pitch through the sponsorship of OGA Parents Branch and Old Girls ‘Association, UK Brunch. She initiated the shifting of Primary Section from Dodamwala back to the main school premises.
She devoted much towards the construction of a three storied building consisting of 14 class rooms with cost 9 Million funded by the government. She also led the construction of the retaining wall around the ground of primary section. The efficient management system, a well-equipped office complex and a computer room with modern technology were also established during her period. Moreover, she initiated the computer renovation and refurbishing of the conference hall, power supply system and the stage utilizing the funds granted by Old Girls Association. In addition, she contributed much towards the development of the school library.
The school extends its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the all founders, past principals, teachers and all those who devoted much in achieving the greater heights and presenting the age along unique traditions.
Mrs.M.Abeygunasekara took over the reins of prestigious school on 26th March 2007 being the 22nd Principal marking yet another golden era with a sparkling accomplishments in the spheres of academic and co-curricular arenas. She steered the school with a rare spirit of devotion to bring the school into greater heights. It is symbolic that the chapter turned over during her tenure is reflected as an era of tremendous achievements in the entire administration process under the dimensions of academic, co-curricular, human as well as physical resources of the school.
