The Plaque of Saint Thomas at the Main Entrance of the College

The Land Master tractor which conveys food to Keble House.

The year under review has been one in which the primary goal has been the recovery and revival of the School. It is a well known fact that the Board of Governors had almost decided to close the School in 2006. In fact it was a decision that was only not implemented due to a timely intervention that saved the day. Words are insufficient to measure the debt all those associated with STC at Gurutalawa owe to Jacques Huyghebaert. As our Bishop often says Mr.Huyghebaert has certainly been a ‘Messenger from God’ to us, for had it not been for his intervention we would not be here today. It is interesting that often in Thomian history the most significant contribution to the continued existence and growth of our Schools has been made by non-Thomians and even non-Sri Lankans. Mr.Jacques Huyghebaert is yet another example of such a benefactor. All associated with this School will forever be in his debt. When the history of the School of this period is written his name must certainly go down in letters of gold.

We also owe our Visitor, the Bishop of Colombo, the Manager of the School, Mr.Christo Gonawala and the entire the Board of Governors a debt of gratitude for the immense contribution that they have made both monetarily and otherwise to the recovery of Guru over the past year. The Bishop and the Manager have been particular towers of strength and have made our job that much easier by their constant visits, phone calls and gestures of solidarity. We are confident that the Board will never again give step-motherly treatment to STCG!

It would not be out of place to record the thanks of us all at Guru to the STCG OBA, individual Old Boys both in Sri Lanka and abroad, the other three Schools of the Thomian Family, other Diocesan Schools, and numerous other well wishers both here and abroad whose support and goodwill and indeed in many cases financial support has been such a source of encouragement to us. Thanks are also due to the parents, students and of course all the Staff of the School for their patience and forbearance during the times of crisis and for having agreed to journey with us to the ‘Promised Land’!.

As it now stands the financial recovery and viability of the School seems to be assured. Numbers have risen. The standard of education and discipline is on the ascendancy and our goal must surely be to produce integrated persons of sound character, which is an intrinsic part of the Thomian system of education. Although there is still a great deal to be done in terms of developing infrastructure and sports facilities we can without any hesitation say that S.Thomas’ College at Gurutalawa is well and truly on its way! The support, solidarity and cooperation of all interest groups must now be forthcoming. The past must be laid to rest. It is history. While we must remind ourselves of history from time to time to avoid the pitfalls of repeating past mistakes we must now look to the present and the future however uncertain it may be. This is where the three pillars of Faith, Hope & Charity (the names also of our three new horses!) play their role. We must hold fast to the belief that there is no task or venture that is impossible if it is something noble, good and true. If God wills it and gives us God’s blessings this School, dedicated to God’s glory will live again.

We would do well to mark the words of our Founder, Bishop James Chapman, inspiring words preached at the laying of the foundation stone of S.Thomas’ College at Mutwal on St.Thomas’ Day 1849 ‘In building for God, in working, in spending for God, we run no venture, we hazard no loss, we cherish no vague or uncertain hopes. Though unseen, when founded on true faith, hope is never unreal. Enduring works are often of humble beginning.’ True to the Faith and Vision of our Fathers we can only go forward seeking God’s direction and praying as Cardinal J H Newman did:

‘Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on;
The night is dark and I am far from home; lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
the distance scene; one step enough for me.’

A POINT TO PONDER

‘Education throughout the schools is now geared to the passing of examinations and the obtaining of credits, distinctions particularly at the GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels. Children are caught up in this rat race, and from an early age are made aware of the overriding importance of this aspect of school life, at the expense of other and equally important aspects of education the development of an integrated personality. While it is true that we cannot ignore the challenge of the modern competitive world in training students for life out of school, we cannot, without courting disaster, neglect the age old verities of education: right thinking, right action and right conduct. Academic success and prestige must never be allowed to become the only main aim of education, and must take a parallel or subordinate place to these.’

-M L C Illangakoon, 5th Headmaster-