God-given gifts in bloom

Ruwini Jayawardana

They say that a good school deserves to be called the very salt of the town. Most schools lack the resources or the drive to nurture the child's knowledge and morales. They fall short of matters in preparing the children for the future and contributing towards making the world a better place in strategic manners.

Logos College, Colombo 6, has taken on this much needed task of educating young minds to face the challenges of the fast-paced, high-tech world. Embodying the motto 'to challenge students to achieve their highest academic potential, fully develop their God-given gifts and mould their children to serve the world', Logos College opened its doors to children in 2007. Since then the school's fame and number had increased to accommodate almost 200 students.

"Logos' means 'word' in Greek. We prefer to keep a limited amount of students as we emphasis on providing individual attention. It is easier to identify any of the issues that each child has and we are able to find solutions for them to overcome their problems. Our students range from preschool to grade nine. We accommodate children from all walks of life," said Logos College principal Priyani Fernando.

Contrary to the idea that English educating schools belong to the International school category, Logos College offers its students the local syllabus in the English medium. However some students do take on the London ordinary level (O) examination on request. They also teach Sinhala and Tamil as subjects. Logos houses children from all ethnic and religious groups because all four religions are taught in their curriculum.

"We stress on loyalty because it rarely exists in the society today. People either go for the most important thing or benefits. Children would be able to recognise their talents and excel in them," she said.

A significant aspect about Logos College is that they accommodate about one or two disabled students per class.

"These children should not be isolated but should be in a social situation. Interaction with peers helps them change their attitude towards life. Even the other children have adapted certain good qualities when they are put in the same setting as these children. They do not consider them to be 'odd' but are more caring and helpful towards them.

This is a good method in teaching the children to be concerned about others because they have no prejudices unless the adults advocate these terms on them," Fernando explained adding that Logos is a non-profit organisation depending on the parent's contribution.

These children with various physical disabilities are allowed to bring a shadow teacher with them to help them with their chores.

The school provides swimming classes for all its students. They also provide cricket, tap rugby, chess, table tennis, badminton and basketball.

Each child gets computer training lessons. Their co-curricular activities comprise clubs for Community Service, English Literature, Art and Craft as well as a choir and band. They are hoping to start scouting next year.

"We engage in social service activities from time to time. For example we have projects running for Christmas where we make merry with less privileged children.

We had an operetta last year so that the children were able to exhibit their aesthetic talents. Since we are a small school, everyone gets an opportunity to take part and shine," she noted that the sports meet, swimming meet, cookery day, arts and crafts day are some of the annual events in their calender.

"We had a pets day in the past but since we have expanded the intake, it has been difficult to accommodate the pets in our premises. We also plan annual trips: Galle, Pinnawala, the zoo etc. Around 25 to 28 students can be accommodated per class. We have about 20 full time staff as well as part-time teachers," she added.

Fernando had previously been the principal of Methodist College, Colombo. She says that she loves working with children and that had driven her to take up work in the field.

"We had to start from scratch when we established Logos College. Everyday is a new day when you are with children," she concluded with a smile.

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