De Mazenod College
Coordinates: 7°03′N 79°54′E / 7.050°N 79.900°E
De Mazenod College, Kandana, Sri Lanka | |
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Location | |
Kandana Sri Lanka | |
Information | |
Type | Govt. aided Grade One Catholic Private School |
Established | 1914 |
Founder | Rev.Fr. Romould Fernando |
Principal | Rev. Bro. Janaka fonseka |
Staff | 160 members |
Grades | Class 1 - 13 |
Gender | Boys [Girls since grade 6] |
Age | 6 to 19 |
Enrolment | 3800 |
Colour(s) |
De Mazenod College (DMC) was first founded in 1914. It is considered to be the leading catholic school in Negombo Division, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is managed by De La Salle Brothers whose purpose is to meet the educational and welfare needs of young people.
De Mazenod College is a mixed school and has classes from grade 1 to grade 13. The school conducts classes in both Sinhala medium as well as English medium. Girls are admitted to the school from grade 6 upwards.
History
1914 Rev. Fr. A. Y. Keeger founded St. Sebastian's English School at the Mission House of Kandana Church.
1919 Rev. Fr. Romould Fernando took charge of the school.
June 15, 1925 Government of Sri Lanka recognised the school. From that year the School came to be known as St.Sebastian Boys English School.
1927 School was renamed as St. Sebastian English High School.
October 12, 1930 Colombo Archbishop Peter Marque laid the foundation stone for a new building at the new location (current location).
1931 Renamed the school as De Mazenod College.
1933 De La Salle brothers took over the control of the school.
1937 First Ever Prize Giving was held under the patronage of the principal Rev. Bro. Charles Louis. Deputy Education Director Mr. W.R. Watson graced the occasion as the Chief Guest
1938 First ever inter – house Sport meet was held. Chief Guest was Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. College Houses were Delasalle, Marque and Romould.
1943 Inaugurated an Old boys union with about 100 members
1947 Starting of Sinhala Medium classes.
Motto
Animo ET Fide
means:
By courage and faith is the English equivalent of 'Animo et fide'.
Houses
The students are divided into four houses. They are,
Alban House
- Named after Rev Bro. Alban Patrick. A past principal of the school.
- Color : Red
De La Salle House
- Named after Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
- Color : Blue
Marque House
- Named after Colombo Archbishop Rev. Peter Marque.
- Color : Yellow
Romould House
- Named after the founder of school Rev. Fr.Romould Fernando.
- Color : Green
College Anthem.
Lads of De Mazenod, arise one and all
Stand we together, or else we shall fall
Doing our duty with gladness untold
Strive we to rank with the brave and the bold
Hark!'tis the voice of our Alma Mater dear
"Animo et Fide", it rings within our ear
Bravely and loyally each task must be done
Urged on by love and with hatred for none
Hearts that are yearning to do what is right
Burn in our bosom all day and all night
Training the steps of our Savior and Guide
Crowned in His Kingdom, in bliss we’ll abide
Notable Alumni
This is a list of notable alumni of De Mazenod College, Kandana
- Kingsley De Silva - obstetrician, gynaecologist
- Amal Jayawardane - historian
- Jayalath Jayawardena - member of Parliament (Gampaha) (1994–2013)
- Harry Jayawardena - businessman
- Vijaya Kumaranatunga - actor, politician
- Dilhara Fernando - international cricket player
- Dhammika Prasad - international cricket player
- Shihan Mihiranga Bennet - singer, songwriter
Past Principals of the De Mazenod College
- Fr. Romould Fernando
- Bro. Andrew Etienne
- Bro. Theodoret of Mary
- Bro. Charles Louis
- Bro. Alban Patrick
- Bro. Casimir
- Bro. Federick Peter
- Bro. Cassian of Jesus
- Bro. Athanasius Navarre
- Bro. Glastone Oliver
- Bro. Hermangild Joseph
- Bro. Athanasius Navarre
- Bro. Anselm Calixtus
- Bro. Alexander Cyrillus
- Bro. Conrad Rodrigo
- Bro. Sylvester Pius
- Bro. Hugo Anthony
- Bro. Camillus Silva
- Bro. Benjamin Goonatilleke
- Bro. Granville Perera
- Bro. Camillus Silva
- Bro. Bertram Perera
- Bro. Janaka Fonseka
Notable Teachers
- Donald De Silva - First Head Master of De Mazenod College ( 1931 - 1956)
- Vincent Jayalath
- M D Peter
- S D Stephen
- Benedict Fernando
- Henry Senaratne
- Lennie Kuruppu
- Theadore Fernando
- C J Perera
- Sebastian Fernando
- Pablis Perera
- Br. Stanislaus
- Br. Michael
- Premadasa Welimane
- Dewruwan De Alwis
- Godfrey Perera
- Palitha Devarajah
- H A Abeyratne
- S G K D Calistus
- Achira Tennakoon
- S G F Appuhami
- Gerrard Fonseka