St John's Girls' School, Panadura - 125th jubilee celebrations

One hundred and twenty-fifth years of span is an enormous experience to any educational institution. St John's Girls' School is one of the best with a glittering past in Sri Lanka, founded, managed and guided by the able hands of eminent educationalist Cyril Janz Snr. and his wife Amelia Janz.

The girls' school first started in the verandah of Janz house in the year 1885 with only two pupils. This class of two was the nucleus around which she built the magnificent girls' school of today through her persistent efficiency and utmost dedication. The modest beginning with a class of two pupils grew in numbers to that of thousands at present. Today St John's Girls' School stands with her head held high and her students can proudly announce we are Johnians, you have taught us the motto Nihil Amantic Difficile which means nothing is difficult to the enthusiasts. Previously this school was connected with St John's Boys School and St John's College, English being the medium of instruction in that time. During mid 1950's due to vagaries in the education system, the other two schools were handed over to the government while the girls' school remains a fully private institution to date.

Today our school has over 1,800 students and efficient tutorial staff of over 70. Between years 1990 and 2010 there was a major administration changes effected by then Principals H Dharmasekera and L S Dharmasekera. This period is quoted to be the golden era of this school.

During this period new avenue of education was implemented to suit the new developing era, which resulted in obtaining very good results at the Grade five Scholarship and G.C.E. O-L Examinations.

Since 125 years St John's Girls' School has been moulding many young girls into courageous, pious and humble women. Many of them are quite prominent members of the society today. At present the school is blessed with one such past pupil who is now the principal of the school. Damayanthi Wickramasinghe, the Principal of St John's Girls' School has taken the reigns with sheer determination and dynamism to guide the students towards academic excellence as well as to deliver a disciplined and a dedicated student force to the nation.

The school is managed by the Board of Trustees who have always stood for honesty and integrity. They have done an immense service to elevate the school to its current academic achievements over the past few decades.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, C N D Perera along with its members, Dr ms Kamala Peiris, D K Subasinghe and the Manager of the School, T S N Fernando have been great pillars of strength to the school administration and well-being of the students.

To mark the 125th year of Jubilee Celebration, the school has organized many events starting with the Johnians Walk.

Events pertaining to the Jubilee Celebrations will continue till the month of December with pomp and pageantry and will be declared close at the end of the year with a grand finale.

Past pupils of the school are cordially invited to participate and support the school in this endeavour. Your advice and guidance will be greatly appreciated by the Principal and the Event Organizing Committee of St John's Girls' School.