Ferguson High School, Ratnapura
Ferguson High School (Sinhala: ෆර්ගසන් උසස් විද්යාලය) is a National School in Sri Lanka, located in Ratnapura District.[1] School has two sections - the Primary section, which serves students from Grade 1 to Grade 5, and the Secondary section, which serves students from Grade 6 to Grade 13.
| Ferguson High School - Ratnapura ෆර්ගසන් උසස් විද්යාලය - රත්නපුර | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| |
| 70000 Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates | 6.6827135°N 80.3986365°E |
| Information | |
| Type | National School |
| Motto | Live Pure : Speak True : Right Wrong |
| Established | 1917 March 17 |
| Principal | Mrs. Mercy Galagama |
| Teaching staff | 180 |
| Grades | 1–13 |
| Gender | Girls (Grade 1-13) Boys (Grade 1-5) |
| Number of students | 4700 |
| Language | Sinhala , English , Tamil |
| Color(s) | Dark Green & Sliver |
| Alumni | Fergusonites |
| Website | www |
History
1917 : Founded as a "Baptist Missionary English School" by the Baptist Missionary Society of British Ceylon. It was started with only 3 girls, in the premises of Baptist Church in Ratnapura.
1919 : The classroom was moved to the thatched-roofed spacious hall at the hilltop to accommodate the increasing number of 36 students.
1921 : The school was registered as a 'Grant-in-aid English School'[2]
1924 : The school hostel was started.
1925 : Girl Guide Association was pioneered by Miss.C. Balasooriya.[3]
1928 : The school known as Baptist Missionary English School was renamed as Ferguson High School in memory Mr. John Ferguson who helped the Baptist Missionary Society in Ceylon.[4]
1932 : The system of school houses was introduced by the acting principal Miss. W.F.Gadge.
1933 : The Old Girls Association was initiated by Miss. Allsop.
1958 : School prize giving was held by the Chief guest Madam Sirimavo Bandaranayaka who was a former student of the school.
1960 : Became a Director Managed Government School and no longer a Christian assisted school[5]
1993 : The school was recognized as a National school and 75th Birthday was celebrated with the participation of the late president Hon. R. Premadasa.
2010 : “Wisdom 2010” educational and Trade exhibition was held.[3]
2017 : 100th anniversary of the school was celebrated with the participation of the president Hon. Maithreepala Sirisena. A souvenir stamp was issued[6]
School Crest
Symbolic Representations
- Motto - Taken from "Idylls of the King" by Lord Tennyson
- Hills - 3 peaks seen from the school (Sri Padha and two attendant peaks)
- Double headed Eagle - High soaring free bird looking back with Thankfulness and looking forward with Hope
- CBC - Ceylon Baptist Council (Founders of School)
- Gems - School houses.
- Lamp - Intelligence
- Book - Knowledge
Drawn by Miss Nalini Gunasekara, the art teacher of the school in 1953 and adopted unanimously[5]
School Song
Dear to us all is the school where we learn,
'Tis there for ideals inspiring we turn,
Where'er we be - On land or sea
Our hearts with love for our school will burn
Filled with the fire of youth,
Seeking for right and truth,
Ferguson ever, In high endeavour,
Strive, strive, with heart and soul,
Waving our colours green,
Hopeful and bright and keen,
Loyal to Duty, Goodness and Beauty
On! On! to victory's goal!
Working with zeal at our work day by day
Happy and free in our fun and our play
With thoughts as pure, Strong to endure,
For a wider life we prepare the way.
- Lyrics : Miss. Venetia Stemba
- Music : Miss. Consy Jayasekara[5]
Houses
Students are divided into four houses.[5]
| Amethyst | Sincerity | |
|---|---|---|
| Garnet | Fraternity | |
| Ruby | Serenity | |
| Sapphire | Purity |
Sports
Clubs and Extracurricular activities
Principals
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1922 - 1949 | Miss. Evelyn A. Allsop |
| 1949 - 1960 | Miss. F. Aurora Brook |
| 1956 - 1971 | Miss. Pearl Bright Perera |
| 1972 - 1974 | Mrs. Malini Wijenayake |
| 1974 - 1975 | Mrs. Mallika Thambiah |
| 1976 - 1980 | Miss. Pearl Bright Perera |
| 1981 - 1982 | Mrs. Buddhi Bamunusinghe |
| 1983 - 1986 | Mrs. S. Subasinghe |
| 1987 - 1995 | Mrs. Buddhi Bamunusinghe |
| 1995 - 1999 | Ms. Malani Kothalawala |
| 2000 - 2003 | Mrs. B. Rani Dariju |
| 2003 | Mrs. U.V. Leelakanthi Nissanka |
| 2004 - 2012 | Mrs. B.V.R.C. Bandarawatta |
| 2012 to date | Mrs. Mercy Galagama |
Notable Alumni
Past pupils of Ferguson High School Ratnapura are called Fergusonites.[5] Following is a list of some notable alumni:
| Name | Notability |
|---|---|
| Sirimavo Bandaranayaka[10] | Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (1960 - 1965, 1970 - 1977, 1994 - 2000).
World's first non-hereditary female head of government in modern history |
| Thalatha Atukorale[11] | Politician. Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. |
| Rosy Senanayake | Politician. Mayor of Colombo
Mrs. World 1984 |
| Rohini Nanayakkara | General Manager of Bank of Ceylon (1988) |
| Yamuma Batangala | First lady Air Commodore in Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Sunethra Rajakarunanayake | Writer |
| Dr. Indra Nalinie Lekamge | Senior Radiologist in National Hospital of Sri Lanka |
References
- "Educational Data and Information" (PDF). Ministry of Education. Sri Lanka. 2017.
- "100 years of outstanding performance". Sunday Observer. 26 March 2017.
- "The History of Ferguson High school". FERGUSON HIGH SCHOOL-1992 GROUP.
- "History". Ferguson High School. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- Memoirs of a Century ෆර්ගසන් සුභාවිතය. ISBN 9789557353005.
- "Schoolchildren have responsibility to win the next century – President". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
- "Chess winner". Sunday Times. 7 August 2016.
- "Home". www.fergusonhighschool.net. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- Vidu Liya. Science Association of Ferguson High School. 2004.
- "World's 1st Female Prime Minister | 17 April 1916 - Birth of Sirimavo Ratwatte". Sirimavo Bandaranaike | The World's First Female Prime Minister. 1916-04-17. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
- "The Island". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2020-03-31.