"The Study" launched

by P. Krishnaswamy

"The Study", Colombo's first ever Sixth Form College was launched recently to provide an A-Level education for intellectually motivated young people, with particular emphasis on performing and creative arts.

At a media conference held in this regard, Principal of the College Ms M.Jill Macdonald (M.Phil. Oxon.) who has over 16 years experience in secondary education in Sri Lanka, said that the college will focus on the distinctive educational needs of students in the last years of their secondary education. The college which is exclusively for students between the ages 16 and 19 will officially open its doors to the first batch of students on January 4, 2006, she said.

The Study offers first class instruction for the London G.C.E.A-Level examinations, with emphasis on academic subjects such as Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, History, Geography, English Literature and Economics, Jill said. Art, Music, Dance and the Theatre arts are offered as integral but non-examined subjects, and occupy a central place in the curriculum, she said.

She further said that: "In addition to instructions for the London G.C.E.A-Level examinations, the Study will also provide a comprehensive programme of guidance on admission to the world's top universities, as well as instruction in the requirement of international standardized examinations such as SAT I, SAT II, TOEFL and IELTS. At the college, young people are prepared to enter universities all over the world, in the context of an appreciation for local values and family life.

"It is our desire that those who proceed from The Study to universities overseas should be well prepared both to make a strong academic contribution to their undergraduate community and to be ambassadors of their country.

"Being the first such college in the region, it is likely that the college will prove a magnet for students from other countries.Our primary concern is not nationality or the specific educational background of the student. What we are most interested in knowing is that our students bring with them strong qualities of character and the potential for independent thinking.