| SECRETARY’S REPORT - 2009/2010 |
Committee: 2009/2010 |
| President |
Mr. N. Y. Casie Chetty (Headmaster) Ex – Officio |
| Vice Presidents |
Mr. Chrishmal Warnasuriya |
| Mr. Dilan Illapperuma |
| Mr. Dushan Roberts |
| Hony. Secretary |
Mr. Johanne De Zilwa |
| Hony. Treasurer |
Mr. Maninda Wickramasinghe |
| Hony. Auditor |
Mr. P.E.A. Jayawickrama |
| Executive Committee |
Mr. Shabir Hussain |
| Mr. K. Thirugnanam |
| Mr. Dilshard Anzary |
| Mr. Ravi Ramanathan |
| Mr. Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe |
| Mr. W. S. Rockwood |
| Mr. Prashantha Peiris |
| Mr. R. C. Gulasekharan |
| Mr. Asoka Indraratne |
| Mr. Raj Rasiah |
| Mr. Gehan Dias |
| Staff Coordinator |
Mr. B. A. J. Perera |
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Membership |
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New applications for membership have been received during the year. A total of 32 new members were enrolled. The present position is:
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| | Founder Members | 101 | |
| | Others | 1885 | |
| | Total | 1986 | |
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Membership Cards are sent direct to new members under registered cover by the School Office within 03 days of the applications being processed. |
Members can also access the membership details from our web site – www.prepobu.lk |
Meetings |
During the period under review the OBU met on 4 occasions to discuss and plan OBU activities. During the period under review we also saw the end of the 30 years old conflict in Sri Lanka. With the dawn of peace we are confident that the OBU will be able to have a more active program next year.
We wish to thank the President for his kind hospitality at the meetings.
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Events & Projects |
| (a) |
Primary School Play Area
The OBU has maintained the Primary School play area since September 2000. During the period under review we have continued to maintain and up keep the equipment. The OBU thanks our Project Coordinator Mr. Dushan Roberts for overseeing this project.
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| (b) |
J. S. L. Fernando Memorial Scholarship Fund
The following students were awarded Scholarships:
2009
(i) Master B. D. P. D. Perera - Grade 7
(ii) Master D. Amos - Grade 8
2010
(i) Master G. J. P. S. R. Fernando - Grade 7
(ii) Master A. S. T. C. Perera - Grade 8
The cost of each scholarship is around Rs. 37,500/-. The OBU is also continuing to award 02 prizes in memory of our late Head Master at the Annual Prize Giving to the best all round students of Grade 10 and 11.
This Fund launched with the support of the OBU has supported 16 students to date.
Mr. Nilantha Fernando son of late Head Master Mr. J.S.L.Fernando is now coordinating on behalf of the OBU the collection of funds to disperse Scholarships. The 2010 Scholarships were funded by Mr. Eric Selvadurai and the batch of 86’. We wish to thank Mr. Haroun Cader, Mr. Amir Esufally and Mr. Wijith De Chickera of the Batch of ’86.
On behalf of the Old Boys’ Union we also wish to thank Mr. Nilantha Fernando for his services.
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| (c) |
Library Week - 2008
This project which was mooted by the Old Boys’ Union has been held since 2001. This project is aimed at promoting the reading habit among students. The response received from participants has been most encouraging. Prizes are awarded to students who have excelled in activities relating to vocabulary, General Knowledge, Bulletin Writing and Art.
In 2009, the Guest Speaker was Mrs. Priyani Abesekara and in 2010 the Guest Speaker was Dr. Camena Gunaratne. Students were presented their prizes at special assemblies held in the School Hall. Book Exhibitions was also held at open day.
The Old Boys’ Union wishes to to thank two Librarians namely Mrs. Sureshchandra and Mrs. Jacob for their kind assistance towards this project.
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| (d) |
Computer Laboratory
The Computer Lab for computer studies which was started by the OBU continues to be operative under the management of GATEWAY Computer Services (Pvt) Ltd. Mr. Ravi Ramanathan is the OBU coordinator for this on going project.
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| (e) |
Web Site - www.prepobu.lk
The web site has been operational fully since 2008 and all updates have been made. We thank the Administrator Mr. Dileep Kariyawasam for the good work done.
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| (f) |
Sports Development
The Sports Development Committee consists of Mr. Dishard Anzary –Chairman & Mr. Gehan Dias Co-Chairman. The aim of the committee is to support main sporting disciplines at the School, such as Rugger, Cricket, Basketball, Football, Tennis & Athletics.
A meeting was held with the Teachers-in-charge of sports and Budgets obtained of total expenses envisaged. A separate Bank account has been opened at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon – Kollupitiya Branch to receive Funds for the Sports Development Fund. The account is titled S.Thomas’ Prep School OBU – Sports Development Fund A/C No: 1108212401 at Commercial Bank – Kollupitiya.
We must thank the S.Thomas’ Prep Golden Jubilee Batch of 88’ and the Prep O/L Batch 95’ together with Mr. Mahendra Palliyaguru an old boy who have sponsored and supported Rugby Football at Prep School in 2009 & 2010.
We also have to thank Mr. H.A. Fernando- Head Coach Rugger who has been supporting his old school on a voluntary basis for many years.
We are confident that the members of OBU will contribute towards the Sports Development Fund, as a new account has been now opened.
The OBU appeals to members for further contributions towards the Sports Development Fund, as it is important that we continue to support the school for sporting disciplines in the future too. The school needs in addition to grounds, competent coaches to coach our children in sports and for this, an investment is required.
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| (g) |
School Advisory Committee
The OBU is represented in this Committee by the Hony. Secretary and the Hony. Treasurer.
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| (h) |
S. Thomas’ Preparatory School OBU Trust Fund
The OBU is pleased to announce that the Trust Fund established in 2006 has the following as trustees.
- Mr. N. Y. Casie Chetty, Mr. Johanne De Zilwa, Mr. Maninda Wickramasinghe, Mr. P. Serasinhe and Mr. Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe.
The aim of the Trust is to -
- To provide better facilities for the advancement of knowledge and for educational, sports, cultural and religious activities in the School.
- To provide financial and other assistance to deserving students of the College by way of Scholarships and Bursaries;
- To construct additional buildings, repair, maintain, renovate and effect structural alterations to the existing buildings, the sports field and other property of the School.
- To equip and maintain the Science Laboratories and the School Library and other infrastructure work.
- Participate in the development activities of the school by way of funding.
- Afford facilities to raise teaching standards.
In 2008 the Trustees decided to introduce each term an Attendance Incentive by way of a financial payment to the Staff of all categories. This has resulted in an improved attendance of the tutorial staff, which has had a direct impact on furthering the academic standards in the School. This scheme has been welcomed by the Staff.
During the year under review, the Trust Fund allocated money for the provision of new furniture for the Art Room. The furniture was provided and the project successfully completed. he Trust Fund also aims to provide support towards sports infrastructure expenses in consultation with the Head Master.
The Endowment Fund prospectus was sent to all members of OBU in Sri Lanka and Overseas. The response to date has been most encouraging and we trust that over 3 million can be collected before the end of this year.
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| (i) |
OBU Senior Teacher Award
The OBU inaugurated the Senior Teacher Award in November 2006, where an annual award is presented to the longest serving teacher at Prep School. In 2009 the Award was presented to Mr. B.A.J. Perera who had completed 28 Years of service.
The OBU thanks Mr. Mario Fonseka an Old boy for his generosity for this project.
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| (j) |
Prep Bash 2010
An evening of Re-Union was held on 20th March 2010 with Dinner and Music for Old Boys at the Capri Club- Colombo. Members present enjoyed themselves thoroughly. We hope to have more events of this nature in the ensuing year.
My thanks to Mr.Dushan Roberts for organizing the event.
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OLD BOYS IN PARLIAMENT |
We are happy to note that 7 Old Boys entered Parliament at the recently concluded elections. We wish them well and trust that they will keep the school flag flying. They are;
- Ruwan Wijewardane (Former Head Boy) - Gampaha District
- Wasantha Senanayake (Former Head Boy) - Gampaha District
- Sajith Premadasa - Hambantota District
- Susantha Punchinilame - Trincomalee District
- Naveen Dissanayake - Nuwara Eliya District
- Ravi Karunanayake - Colombo District
- M. A. Sumanthiran - National List
Mr. Maitree Guneratne an Old Boy was also elected a Provincial Councilor for the Southern Province at the Provincial Elections held last year.
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The Future |
The OBU is deeply committed to assist the school administration and the Board of Governors in school development if and when such assistance is requested or needed in the future.
I wish to thank the Lord Bishop of Colombo and the School Manager Mr. Rajan Asirwathan for their guidance and assistance during the period under review.
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Staff |
The OBU wishes to thank our staff coordinator Mr. Jayadeva Perera for his dedicated service to the OBU during the period under review. We also wish to thank Ms. Kusum Silva, Head Master’s Secretary for her continued support in all our activities. We must also thank Ms. Merlyn Perera who has kept a record of all the new subscriptions received during the period under review.
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Committee |
My sincere thanks go out to the committee for there commitment to their old school during the period under review. The current Committee will continue in office next year as well. I wish to thank them once again for there services.
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Special Thanks |
A special word of Thanks goes out to Mr. Sujan Wijewardena an Old Boy, Deputy Chairman Wijeya Newspapers for all his assistance to the OBU during the period under review in respect of printing & promotion of our activities in the Daily Mirror & Sunday Times.
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Conclusion |
During the period under review we have been successful in organizing a few projects for the school. I thank the OBU President and the Headmaster for helping in the implementation of projects we undertook during the period under review. As we embark on a new year my wish is that we as loyal and dedicated old boys of Prep School work in harmony and goodwill for the development of the school.
Let us keep the Dark Blue, Light Blue and Gleaming White Flag Flying High Forever.
Johanne De Zilwa
SECRETARY – OBU
11th June 2010
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