S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela: 2019 Events

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All Island Carnatic Music Competition (Thala layam)

The students of the Tamil Literary Association performed exceptionally well at the All Island Carnatic Music Competition (Thala layam) held on December 15, 2019 and were placed 2nd in drama.  The group were placed first at both Zonal and Provincial levels.

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was held on Sunday 1st December, 2019 at the Keble Memorial Hall.  The senior, junior and staff choirs took part in this service.  Revd. Hippolitus V. Benedict delivered the Christmas message.

View the order of service

STCB emerge Inter-school Milo Division II Rugby Champs

The under 14 ten-a-side rugby team of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela emerged Bowl Champions at the  Inter-school Milo Division II Rugby Tournament held at St. Alloysius grounds, Galle on the 20th of November, 2019.  Our heartiest congratulations to the team for this terrific victory.

Uva Province Karate Championship 2019

The Uva Province Karate Championship was held on 24 November 2019 in Bandarawela.  The following students performed well at the tournament:  G. Denukshan (Gold), E.M. Shanishka (Gold), K. Habilash (Silver), T. Najindaranath (Silver and Bronze).

SLIIT CODEFEST 2019

The SLIIT CODEFEST 2019, under the theme "Coding for a Better Tomorrow" was held on 1st November 2019 at the SLIIT Main Auditorium, Malabe.

CODEFEST is a nationwide Software Competition organized by the Faculty of Computing of Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) geared towards exhibiting the software application design and developing talents of students island-wide.

A team of students from S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela took part in the School Category - Senior and were placed 2nd Runner up with a cash prize of LKR 40,000.  Mr. Kosala Rajapakshe, A/L ICT teacher and Master-in-charge of the STCB IT Club guided and accompanied the students towards this outstanding achievement.

The 2nd Runner up winners were Nushan Kodikara and Tharusha Dewmina.  The Merit Award winners were Nadeen Udantha and Ashen Shaminda.

Over 1,000 students and over 300 schools participated at this event.

Photos courtesy: Faculty of Computing Media Crew. For more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/SliitCodefest/

Bank of Maldives National Tennis Championships 2019

Master Parvesh Sivapalan of grade 3 participated at the Bank of Maldives National Tennis Championships 2019 from the 15th to the 23rd of November 2019 in Maldives and was placed Champion in the Under 8 singles category.  He walked away with certificates, a medal, a trophy and a cash prize of USD 250.  Our heartiest congratulations to Parvesh for his commendable achievement!

All Island Athletics Meet 2019

The athletics team of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela took part in the All Island Athletics Meet held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from 30th October to November 3rd, 2019.  The following students fared well at the meet:  Ravindu Yasas (400M), Bathila Liyanachchi (100M & 100x4), Deran Fareweather (100x4), Lahan Hewage (100x4), Indipa Bandara and Jerit Mirinda (100x4).  The 100x4 relay team were placed 3rd at the finals.

Inter School Milo Division II Ten-a-side Rugby Tournament

S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela took part in the under 14 Inter School Milo Division II Ten-a-side Rugby Tournament on October 19th and 20th at St. Aloysius College grounds, Galle.  STCB played under trying weather conditions and qualified for the semi finals to be held on November 30th.

Aviation Awareness Programme

An Aviation Awareness Programme for the G.C.E. (A/L) students of this institution was held on the 7th of October 2019 at the Keble Memorial hall.  Senior students from other schools in the Bandarawela region also participated in this useful programme.

The college is grateful to Mr. Primal De Silva, General Manager, Sri Lanka Aviation College, a distinguished old boy of the school for organising this programme.

U14 Rugby Football Friendly Tournament

S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela (STCB) hosted a friendly under 14 rugby football tournament on October 5th, 2019 at the college grounds.  The schools that participated were Dutugemunu MMV, Buttala and Nisshanka MMV, Badalkumbura.   In all the games, the host teams beat the visitors convincingly.

W.T. Keble Memorial Soccer Encounter

The annual W.T.Keble Memorial Soccer Encounter between S.Thomas' College Bandarawela and S.Thomas' Prep School Kollupitiya was held on the 28th of September 2019 at the college grounds.

The senior team of STCB won the encounter 3 goals to 2 and retained the W.T.Keble Memorial trophy.  In the junior game, the Kollupitiya boys beat the host team.

Sivapalan Excels in Mini Tennis

Sivapalan Parvesh (Grade 3) of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela performed very well at several mini tennis tournaments.  Some of his achievements are as follows:
1.    R.F. Cool Tennis Championship – Singles (Champion)
2.    R.F. Cool Tennis Championship – Doubles (Champion)
3.    Bandarawela Cool Tennis Tournament (All Island) Singles (Champion)
4.    Bandarawela Cool Tennis Doubles – Runners up
5.    Sri Lanka Tennis Association Cool Tennis Tournament – Singles – Runner up
6.    Sri Lanka Tennis Association Cool Tennis Tournament – Doubles Champion
7.    Maroons Cool Tennis Tournament – All Island, Singles (Group – Runners up)

The junior team also performed well and were judged the Red Ball Under 7 – Champions at the All Island Tennis Tournament.

Ritzbury Super 16 Junior Rugby Carnival

The under 12 rugby team of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela participated at the Ritzbury Super 16 Junior Rugby Carnival on 22nd September, 2019 at the Royal Sports Complex, Colombo.  Our boys performed remarkably well by winning 5 games.

45th National Sports Festival 2019 – Table Tennis

The 45th National Sports Festival 2019 was organised by the Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Department of Sports Development.  The table tennis tournaments were held from September 20th to the 23rd, 2019 at the S.L.A. Ratnayake Memorial Indoor Stadium of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela.

The following students from S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela were selected to represent the Uva Province table tennis team:
Savith Basnayake, Chanith De Silva and Dinula Attanayake (grade 4).

12th Fumonkai International Karate Championship 2019

The 12th Fumonkai International Karate Championship was held on 15th September 2019 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.  Several students from S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela participated at this tournament and bagged 8 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Opening & blessing of the Corea block

The opening and blessing of the reconstructed Corea block took place on the 13th of September 2019 by the Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj Canagasabey, the Lord Bishop of Colombo.

The block consists of 5 classrooms and a table tennis complex with several modern tables and a table tennis robot.

Annual Prize Giving

The annual prize giving was held on Wednesday, 11th September 2019 at the Keble Memorial Hall.  Professor Maheshan Nirmalan, Dean for Social Responsibility and Public Engagement, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, University of Manchester,
United Kingdom and Professor Niroshini Nirmalan graced the occasion as chief guests.

Professor Nirmalan captivated the audience by commencing his address with an hypothetical example of a cricket match.  He explained how change is inevitable and went on to spell out how to respond to change.  He said, first of all, stand straight and look at the world in its face.  Second, look after yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Third, sacrifice the present for a better future.

Finally, he gave sound counsel to both the parents and the management of the school and concluded that we need to believe that everything will work out fine in the end.

Listen to Professor Nirmalan's speech in full

Read the Headmaster's report and prize list

Watch the multi-media presentation

Flowering Plants for Maharagama Hospital

The Environmental Circle of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela under the guidance of Mrs. Nishaya Gunaratne donated flowering plants to the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagma on August 26, 2019.  The team of students and volunteers worked tirelessly to upgrade the hospital premises with beautiful flowering plants.  This hospital is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Ministry of Health and dedicated to the diagnosis and follow-up treatment of cancer patients.

Training Session for Cricketers

A training session on "Leadership, Team Motivation and Goal Setting" was conducted by Mr. Parthy Mahendra and Mr. S. Suresh from the Church of Ceylon Sports Movement.  This useful workshop was conducted for all the college cricketers at the Keble Memorial Hall on 1st August 2019.

Interact Club 1st District Meeting

The members of the Interact Club of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela took part in the 1st District Meeting held on the 21st of July, 2019 at Mahanama College, Colombo.  There were over 300 Interactors from across the country who participated at this meeting.

Shramadhana Campaign

On 6th July 2019, the grade 6 students of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela participated in a "shramadhana" campaign in the Wewatenna temple premises.   Approximately 70 students teamed up together in cleaning the compound.   Their commendable efforts were highly appreciated by the community.

Cubing Investiture

The "Singithi" Cubing Investiture took place on March 13th, 2019 and several junior cubs received their membership badges at a formal Cub Scout ceremony.  The Cub Scouts enrollment also took place on the same day.

Uva Thomian Cricket Encounter

The Uva Thomian Cricket Encounter was held on March 2nd, 2019 at the Municipal Council Grounds, Bandarawela.  STC Bandarawela (366 / 9) won the game convincingly by beating STC Gurutalawa (95 /10 in 28.3 overs) by 271 runs.  Savith Basnayake was awarded the "Man of the Match" and "Best Batsman" with his outstanding batting of 132 runs.  Methwin Rajapakse (4/15) of STC Bandarawela was awarded the "Best Bowler".

Mr. Graeme Labrooy, former Sri Lankan cricketer who played in 9 Tests and 44 ODIs from 1986 to 1992 graced the occasion as the chief guest.  Mr. Labrooy  is currently the chairman of selectors for Sri Lanka national cricket team and also an international match referee.  He is an old boy of STC Bandarawela.

Primary School Sports Meet

The Primary School Sports Meet was held on Friday, 1st March 2019 at the College grounds.  This colourful event saw many primary school students participating and was well attended by staff, students, parents and well-wishers.

Lt. Col. Anuralal Wickramage graced the occasion as the chief guest.  Lt. Col. Wickramage was the Officer in Charge of the National Youth Corps and subsequently the Commanding Officer of the sixth Battalion of the National Cadet Corps.

View the Primary Sports Meet 2019 programme

English Day

The English Day was held on 23rd February, 2019 at the Keble Memorial Hall.  The students from the primary, middle, upper and A/L took part in this event with songs, poetry, dramas and speeches.

Lt. Col. Kelum Wickramasinghe, Head of Department - Languages, Academic Wing, Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa graced the occasion as chief guest.

View the English Day 2019 programme

Annual Sports Meet

The Annual Sports Meet was held on Friday, 8th February 2019 at the College Grounds.  Dr. Vipula Kaluarachchi, Senior Medical Officer in Charge, Emergency Treatment Unit, Colombo South Hospital & Dr. Mrs. Jenita Kaluarachchi graced the occasion as chief guests.

View the Sports Meet Programme

Read Dr. Kaluarachchi's speech at the Inter House Sports Meet

Sports 1st Allianz 2018 Platinum Awards

The Sports 1st Allianz 2018 Platinum Awards was held on January 30, 2019 at Badulla Central College.  Ravien Dalpatadu of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela was awarded the Best Sportsman Award of the Uva Province for his outstanding performance in Archery at the national and international arena.

Dalpatadu making waves at world stage

Road Race

The road race was held on Friday the 25th of January 2019 with a group of 80 students. Mr. C.W. Rajapaksha, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bandarawela started the race and distributed awards to the winners.

The top 5 runners were as follows:

The Hayman team emerged first with the highest number of points, followed by team De Saram.

Founders Day

The founders day service was held on the 18th of January 2019. The Chief Celebrant was Revd. Lakshman Daniel, Vicar St. Mark's Church, Badulla.