Second Term at St. John's was packed with many events. There was an exhibition spanning two days. The highlight of the

exhibition was the Philately Exhibition which drew numerous positive comments from various segments of the

community. On the 4th of May, our College celebrated its 190th anniversary. Though St. John's was 'born' 190 years ago in

1823, she was 'conceived' five years earlier in 1818 as the following historical account clearly records:

''In 1817 the Anglican Church Mission Society (CMS) approved the establishment of missions in Ceylon. On 20th

December 1817 four clergymen - Joseph Knight, Samuel Lambrick, Robert Major and Benjamin Ward - and

their wives left England and sailed to Ceylon on board the Vittoria. They arrived in late June 1818. Knight went

to Jaffna, Lambrick went to Colombo, Major and his wife went to Galle and Ward and his wife to Trincomalee.

Knight started his missionary work in 1818 in Nallur. He held service in his bungalow and opened up 8 schools

in different parts of the Jaffna District. Unfortunately there was an outbreak of cholera. Many people including

the students of the eight schools were greatly affected. Following this, Rev. Joseph Knight selected seven

students from the eight different schools and established the Nallur English Seminary in March 1823. The

school was initially located in Knight's bungalow.''

''In 1845 The English Seminary was transferred to Chundikuli and was renamed ''The Chundikuli English

Seminary.'' The Old Portuguese Church of St. John the Baptist at Chundikuli was handed over to the C.M.S and

services were held in the Church by Rev.Johnstone and the students of the Seminary attended these services. In

1846 Johnstone went to U.K on furlough due to ill health and Rev.Robert Pargiter who was appointed Principal

shifted the school to a large hall adjoining the east end of the old church. In 1891 The school celebrated the

Jubilee of its work at Chundikuli and to mark the occasion was given the name 'St. John's College.' ''

From the above record, it is apparent that the seed was sown 195 years ago!!

St. John's has a long - a very long history of delivering excellent all round education to countless generations of young

people. Unlocking an individual’s potential means fostering a culture that encourages successful learning and creative

thinking while rewarding initiative and independence. It also means creating an environment in which pursuing personal

passions outside lesson time complements the achievement of academic success. Learning is fun and from the earliest

years takes place both in the classroom and elsewhere around the school. The College's ultimate aim is to give its pupils

the support and freedom they need to flourish into balanced, fully-rounded and confident adults who are inspired for life.

With this in mind, the following extra-curricular activities were held during the second term.

Library Day

Science Day

Workshop on Constellation Studies

Indoor Games Award Ceremony

English Day

Environmental Day

Boarders' Day

Scout - 97th Anniversary

Prize Giving

Science and Young Inventors' Exhibition

St. John’s College Jaffna Lower Primary School (Grades 1–3)

190th

Anniversary Exhibition – 2nd

& 3rd

May

At the exhibition - a presentation by the Grade 2

students about “Our Country.” All the students eagerly

participated in the exhibition, and they were awarded certificates and gifts from the principal.

College Day – 4th

May

Fancy Dress competitions – Grades 1 & 2

World Environment Day

Students engaged in a Shramadana organized in

connection with the World Environment Day during the first week of June.

Students during a group activity inside the classroom

Scouts’ Annual Camp

16 Cub Scouts from Grade 3 participated in the Annual

Camp of the Scout Troop of St John’s College held at

the Old Park on 25th May.

Library Day

Students donating books to the College Library at the

Library Day held on 9th

May. Handwritten magazines displayed.

ACHIEVEMENTS P. Priyan of Grade 1 won the 2

nd place at the Zonal

Level Art Competition.

J. Ebenezer Nesakumar and J. Omshiyamsankar of Grade 3 won the 2

nd place in the Light of the World

Speech Contest organized by the YMCA.

St. John’s College Jaffna Upper Primary School (Grades 4&5)

190th

Anniversary Exhibition

Kids on a Boat made of waste plastic bottles

The 190th

Anniversary Exhibition was held on 2nd

& 3rd

of May. Most of the students actively

participated in this exhibition. Students from other

schools and people from outside viewed the

exhibition.

English Inter-Class Drama Competitions

English Inter-Class Drama Competitions for

Grades 4&5 were held on 27th

of May. Grades 4B

and 5B came first in their respective classes.

Shramadana

A Shramadana was organized during the first

week of June in connection with the Global

Environment Day, and children from Grades 4&5

actively participated and cleaned the Primary

School premises.

English Day

The English Day was held on the 1st of June. We

presented an Action Song “Be Happy,” which

won the applause of the audience.

Cub Scouts

12 Cub Scouts from Grade 4 participated at the

Unveiling of the Restored Scout Statue at Kandy

Road, Jaffna - a project by a Johnian Scout for

President’s Scout Award held on 6th May.

19th

“Battle of the Babes” – Reds Vs. Blacks

Grade 5 Cricket

Members of the Teams “Reds” and “Blacks”

The match was held on 30th July. The “Reds” won

the match by 6 wickets.

Best Batsman J. Jayalathan

Best Bowler S. Sanoj

Best Fielder S. Thivian

Best All-Rounder S. Ebenezer Johanan

Man of the Match J. Jayalathan

ACHIEVEMENTS

English Day Competitions

M.Joseph Jayshan of Grade 4 won the 2nd

place in

the Divisional Level and 1st place in the Zonal

Level English Day Competitions organized by the

Department of Education.

P. Sudharon of Grade 5 won the 3rd

place in the

Divisional Level Art Competition organized by

the Department of Education held on the 26th

of

April.

Newsletter Competition - Term 1

The Upper Primary School won the 1st place in the

Newsletter Competition organized among the

Nine Sections / Units of the College.

Class library

Class library was formed this term. This will

develop reading skills among students.

Dengue Awareness Programme

190th

Anniversary

“Exhibition”

We donated a set of books to our library

G.Aaron Melvin got

Creative Writing –

Divisional level - 1st

Place

Talent search

conducted by YMCA

Vocal – 1st Place

Instrumental – 2nd

place

Light of the World

Speech Contest –1st

Place

190th

Anniversary

Talent Search-

Instrumental-1st

Place

Mas. G.S.Nithyajeevan got

190th

Anniversary Talent

Search – Singing – 1st Place

Mas. D.David

Livingston got 1st

place in Social

Science Competition

in Zonal Level

Role Play – Gr 6 & 7 – 2nd

Place

Remushan J.S –Dictation -1st

Place & Copy Writing – 2nd

Place

Nisayeesan. S – Creative

Writing – 3rd

Place

En

gli

sh D

ay D

ivis

ion

al

Lev

el c

om

pet

itio

ns

190th

year College Day Celebration was held on 4th

May

2013. Senior secondary students organized an IT

exhibition on 3rd

May 2013.

190th

Anniversary Celebration of Thanksgiving was

held on 5th

July, 2013 at 4.30 pm. Senior Secondary

students participated in the choir.

A Talent Search was conducted by the

Old boys of Canada. Jeffery Waston.T

of Grade 10E won the cash award of

Rs.4500/=

Our Annual Prize Day was held on 6th

June, 2013 at

10 am. Shane Joel .V of our section recited the poem

‘Past and Present.'

English Day was held on 1st June 2013. Senior secondary students participated

in a debate. It was appreciated by all.

Our Under 15 A Cricket Team played 8 matches and won all. A team was

chosen for the 2nd

round of the Division III matches; Mas.P.Somaskaran of our

section captained the team. Jeni Flemin.S scored an unbeaten 175 runs against

Jaffna College.

T. Brahman of Grade 11 was invited to participate in a tournament

for the selection of individuals to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian

Games (For Chess). The tournament was held from 13th

to 15th

of

August at Royal College, Colombo.

* EDUCATION: - STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT – Percentage Pass 2013

* CO-CURRICULAR ACHIVEMENTS

I) SPORTS & GAMES

A) Weight Lifting: -

Vinothkumar.U: Junior

National 1st

M.Kabilesh : Provincial 1st

Victor John : Provincial 2nd

B) Carom: -R.Logathieswar

(Team member) -Provincial 3rd

C) Tennis M.Kabilesh(Captain)

D) Badminton: -S.Meshack - Provincial 1st

E) Athletics: -

Relay R.S.Meshack- 1st

5000MRace S.Sam David - 1st

Discus Throw M.Kabilesh 3r

II) Tamil Oratory Gold Medal: -R.Logathiswar - 1st Place

English Oratory Gold Medal Speech: -G.Abraham Anojan -2nd Place

III) Leader ship : -G. Abraham Anojan was appointed as a Senior Prefect from

ARTS STREM (After 36 years in our School History)

IV) Clubs &Societies: - Social Science Forum - Shramadana

Agriculture Science Club – Environment-Friendly Activities

v) Exhibition organized to mark the 190th Anniversary

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TERM 2

TERM 2

Newsletter Commerce- Collegiate level a publication of commerce section OF st.john’s college, jaffna - August 2013

Issue 02 MAJOR EVENTS OF THIS TERM

A.Ghanamirthan S.Kabilraj

Mas.A.Ghanamirthan and S.Kabilraj

have represented the Northeast

Provincial Cricket Team.

J.Titus Faith Mark S.Jonathan

Mas.J. Titus Faith Mark and

S.Jonathan have been selected

to follow the Aviation Course

free of charge by AAC Institute.

Mas. Mas.S.Poulin Androok has secured the 3

rd

place in the Long

Jump in the Provincial

S.Poulin Androok Athletic Meet.

M.Jevinth

Mas.M.Jevinth secured the 1st

place in the Tennis and 3rd

in

the Badminton in the Provincial

Level Tournament.

Mas. S.Sharmilan, and Mas. T.Regno

Romesh from Commerce Stream participated in the Scout Camp held in

Norway.

Prize Giving

President Award -SCOUTS

P.Birunthujan M.Vintharakan

. J.Dilan J.B.Ragul Y.Kajakuxshan

Mas.P.Thuvarakaseelan

has been selected for

under 17 National Cricket Squad. P.Thuvarakaseelan

A.Anojan

Mas.A.Anojan secured the 1st place

in the 800m and established a new

ground record as well. In addition, he

secured the 3rd

place in the 400 m,

1500m and 4X400m relay in the

Provincial Athletic Meet.

S.Naveen Smith

Mas.S.Naveen Smith has secured the 3rd

place in the 4X400 m relay in the

Provincial Athletic Meet.

C.Atchuthan

Mas.C.Atchuthan secured the 2nd

place

in English prepared oratory in the

Divisional Level Competition.

The second term was packed with many activities & competitions.Students from the Science Stream secured places at Divisional, Zonal, District & Provincial Level in various competitions. Details of the winners and their achievements are given below.

Apart from the above achievements, Agnew Rathan became Third in Triple Jump at the Divisional Level Athletic Meet. He

also is a member of the U19 Provincial Relay Team.

All the students took part in a shramadana campaign to mark the Environmental Day. Every nook and corner of the school

was cleaned, including places outside the school.

Students from UPVIE got together to paint and rearrange the Bio Lab.

Students from LVIE collected stationary to the tune of Rs. 80,000 from school students and staff and distributed them to the

needy children in Karuna Nilayam in Kilinochchi. A photo of the beneficiaries is given below.

190 years and the journey continues...

''It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it is the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.''

From the Principal's Pen:

In 2012 November, I visited the following countries on the invitation of the Old Boys:

Canada Visit: Attended the 25th year of PPA Celebrations in Toronto. Also visited Vancouver to attend the OBA Annual

Get-together.

UK Visit: To attend the PPA Annual Get-together. Visited the British Council’s Global School Partnership Schools

Castle Tower , and Victoria Primary, in Northern Ireland.

Norway Visit: To attend the OBA Annual Get-together. Visited the Scout Leaders Friendship Link in Bronnoysund.

In August 2013, I was invited by the old boys in Singapore, New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth to celebrate the

190th Anniversary of our College along with their Annual Get-together.

I am extremely grateful to our high-minded old boys, the great pillars of this noble educational institution for their

commitment to elevate St. John's to be on par with international standards.

The gates of St. John's will always be open wide for our old boys and well-wishers. You are always welcome to come

and see for yourselves the numerous facilities St. John's offers to your kith and kin. We also stand with open arms to

welcome anyone who wishes to give your time and talents to your brothers under your Alma Mater's care. Every little

helps; every little counts....

NEEDS OF THE HOUR! To mark the 190th anniversary, we would like to embark on a fundraising. This is our

immediate concern!

I. Staff quarters (8 unitsX 5m.) Rs. 40 million. You may either sponsor an entire unit for Rs. 5 million or

at least a room for Rs.1 million.

Proposed Staff Quarters - objectives in mind. Present Progress

To have a pool of staff who would be available round the

clock to serve the College/hostel if and when the necessity

arises.

To increase student welfare and teachers presence inside the

school for the needy students to benefit.

To increase engagement of students in extracurricular

activities and to provide support for needy children.

To provide help for students in their homework, to supervise night

study and to provide parental care for hostel children.

To supervise students participating in community events and to run educational programs for needy children.

To ease unwarranted pressure on the part of the staff who pay large sums of money as rent and to reduce their

travel time (this would give them more time to spend inside the school.)

To develop a more homely environment for the needy students and to increase security and unity among

the students and staff.

II. Purchase of Land (4units) Rs. 20 million. This is our priority

Fundraising for Purchase of Land - Adjoining houses (4units) for Rs. 20 million

It is in the 1960s, during the schools take over, that St John’s had to undergo a financial struggle in order to remain a

non-fee levying private school. A few properties including the land had to be sold to run the school. Hence, it is the

responsibility of the present generation to rise to occasion when the lands adjoining the college are let for sale.

II. III. Two block of classrooms each costing Rs 30Million. You may sponsor a class room for Rs.1

million.

Presently students are studying in sheds which do not meet the safety standards as can be seen from the photographs

below.

It’s time for us to look ahead and plan for the future. I appeal to Old Boys,Parents and welwishers. Thanks for Your ardent support and dedication in the past towards the upliftment of our alma mater! - to share their expertise and

knowledge in the groundwork plan for the next decade, which is in two phases. We believe, with God’s help and the

support from all of you, we can accomplish!

“Lead, Lord into the future

Both teacher and the taught,

To seek the truth and keep it

However, hard it be;

To hope and pray and labour,

In spite of mighty odds;

And win the golden medal

In life’s Olympic race.” (175th Anniversary Hymn by Rev. AJC Selvaratnam)

Payments may be made directly at the college office, through the respective OBA’s or through the banking system

(Details of which are given hereunder),

Name of Account : ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, JAFFNA, SRI LANKA.

Account Number: 012-155644-040

Bank Branch: HSBC, 145 KKS Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Swift No : HSBCLKLX

For further information, please contact via email: stjohns@sltnet.lk

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Math 25:12

With warm wishes and prayers,

Rev. N.J.Gnanaponrajah, Principal,St.John's College