Avemarians:

In one reath...one step...

Ave Maria Convent founded by the sisters of Good Shepherd was established as a girls' school in 1938 in Negombo. During the past 73 years of existence the school has moulded over 90,000 girls to be good citizens and achievers in Sri Lanka and overseas.

With over 2000 students currently studying at the school from Kindergarten to Advanced levels, Ave Maria Convent (AMC) has excelled in curricular and extra curricular activities.

Being amongst the top schools on best examination results for grade five scholarship, O-L's and A-L's Avemarians have also won many all island drama contests including Shakespeare Drama Competitions. In addition students of Ave Maria Convent have also won Zonal, District and National level awards for sports such as swimming, volleyball, netball and basketball.

Just as it has always been the interest of the school to work towards the benefit of students, Ave Maria Convent is also concerned of the neighbouring schools and it is with this intention that in 2009 the construction project of the school auditorium was started.

The auditorium is the largest in Gampaha District and many neighbouring schools will undoubtedly benefit by this. Fully equipped and complete with DTS technology and geared by one of Sri Lanka's finest Building Construction Companies, this auditorium will be one of a kind.

In order to fund this venture, the Past Pupils Association, School Welfare Association, Teachers and Parents approached the wider community by a walk in September 20, 2009. The walk, themed as 'Step by Step towards excellence' was a massive success.

The organizers have decided to host a walk, raffle and fun fair coupled with many valuable prizes and events lined up for the next fund raiser. The intended collection of funds from the walk is projected at Rs 30 million.

Under the theme 'One breath...One step...' the event is scheduled for September 17 and 18 at the Convent grounds.

Proceedings of the first day will commence with Holy Mass at 7.00 am at the school.

The walk will begin immediately after the Mass. It is a three kilometre route around Negombo town and will start and end at the School's main gate with the participation of Rev sisters, invitees, teachers, students, western and eastern bands and all school committees.

To make the event more fun, floats, mobile propaganda vehicles, vintage vehicles, Kandyan dancers, stilt walkers, whip crackers, horse carriages and pipers are in store.

There will also be DJ music from 11 am on both days to entertain the crowd. In the evening a musical show with the performances by - Nalin and the Marians, Sunil Perera (Gypsies), Doctor, Bathiya and Santush, Lahiru and Shehan along with dance troupes and comedy skits will begin at 7.00 pm.

A raffle ticket priced at Rs100/= will be on sale for which the first prize is a Maruti Suzuki Car.

There are many valuable consolation prizes as well. Tickets will be sold amongst private circulation. The draw will take place in the evening on September 18.

The Grand finale will end with a fireworks display.