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It was way back in 1956 that I joined the Prep-School whilst still in my teens, as the singing/music teacher. Just out of Bishop's College I got my first appointment and isn't it amazing to note that I got a salary of Rs. 75/- per month for working twice a week.

At that time I rode a bicycle and went to school on my bicycle. It was no fun teaching the naughty mischevious schoolboys with their teen-age teacher, in spite of my trying hard to be strict. Of course boys are boys and I left a large margin for their pranks. I started a percussion band class with the younger set and together with the late Miss Mary Karunaratne we did fine and I arranged a radio broadcast with help from the late Livy Wijemanne. This broadcast brought me a lot of congratulatory messages.

I recall with great pride a number of boys I taught as mere kids, being men of great repute in our country today. I wonder if they now remember their singing music teacher. I recall memories of being a very regular visitor at the home of late Mr. and Mrs. N. K. Choksy. Since I was a classmate of their eldest daughter the late Dinoo Choksy and was a close friend of hers. The present Minister K. N. Choksy was a very small kid then and also came under my guidance at St. Thomas' Prep-School. Many many other prominent figures are numerous and I can't even recall their names now.

I worked for the late Mr. J. T. Perimpanayagam and his wife, sons and daughter Swarna were my friends. Mr. Norman Abeynaike died shortly after I joined the staff. Mr. J. S. L. Fernando was a master when I was on the staff but even upto his death he and his wife were my friends.

Today more than half a century later Prep-School has now reached its heights in leaps and bounds and I'm very proud to say that I served in this great place long long ago.

Also I take pride in stating that two of my grandsons were educated at St. Thomas' Prep and later on one of them went over to S. Thomas', Mt. Lavinia - this my elder grandson Dhianushka Kurukulasuriye - the younger one also a Kurukulasuriye but from the same family. He is Praveen Kurukulasooriye who is now studying in Australia. Both my grandsons left school having done exceptionally well.

I visited this school in May 2002 to gather some information for this article and I got a warm welcome from the Head Master, Mr. Casie Chitty. He presented me with a souvenir, the Diamond Jubilee edition which he autographed. Another souvenir 1958-1988 was also given to me. I greatly value these two souvenirs. One last word I am proud of Prep-School and as always once a Thomian always a Thomian. Cheers for Prep-School!!!

- Yvonne F. Keerthisingha

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