From the very beginning of the Wesleyan Mission in Ceylon, a great deal of money and effort was put into the running of schools. In very many villages, it was through the schools that the missionaries first established contact with the population, and they were used on Sundays for the holding of services and Sunday Schools.

A devout missionary, Miss Catherine Scott started Methodist College in 1866.  Miss Scott lit this lamp for which our school stands.  All through succeeding years, a mighty spirit of love tendered it. Hand passed on the lamp to hand.  The flame burned brighter and stronger and today it scatters its rays to all parts of our land and other lands. 

School Activities

At the very beginning the Principal, Mrs Priyani Fernando would like to place on record her  sincere thanks to Mrs S Dias, the Vice Principal, Mrs S Perera, Headmistress of the Primary school and all members of staff (tutorial, clerical, hostel, domestic and visiting) for their support, loyalty and assistance given  at all times. Their willingness to serve the school giving of themselves to the care of the children and development of the school is to be admired.  She is also  grateful to Mrs S Dias, an excellent Vice Principal and co-worker.  She makes her  responsibilities lighter and has proved to be an able leader. Mrs S Perera has completed 25 years of teaching. She works with a quiet dignity and manages the primary school efficiently.  Mrs I Von Hagt also from the Primary School, completed 25 years of teaching. We thank them for their services. 

The sudden death of Mrs H Kanthasamy, our gifted Art Teacher was a shock to us all.  Her contribution to the school was varied. Being trilingual she had no barriers of language. She was liked by both teachers and students. She spearheaded the organisation of many Art Exhibitions.  Mrs Shafie Marikkar was elected as the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Union of Teachers - the first woman secretary in its 81 year history.  She addressed the World Congress of Teachers held in Thailand and also attended the Women's Workshop for SAARC countries.

Mrs Lakshani Fernando, former Vice principal and Chaplain of the school took over duties as General Secretary of the Ceylon Bible Society from January 2002.  Mrs Shanthi Williams has been appointed Chaplain of the school

The usual activities of the school were held without interruption. The Chief Guests at the Annual Sports Meet were Mr Anura and Mrs Nelun Tennekoon. At the Prize Giving, the Chief Guests were Bishop Duleep de Chickera and Mrs Geetha de Chickera.  He gave a challenging message to all who attended, encouraging students to learn to resolve conflicts from their young age.

Examinations

Examination results are scrutinized carefully.  The GCE Ordinary Level examination held in December 2001 has a new grading system.  

A grade     -    Distinction

B  grade    -    Very good Pass

C grade    -     Credit Pass

S Grade     -    Ordinary Pass

W               -    Weak

7 Students obtained 9 A grade passes; 11 students obtained 8 A grade passes, 8 students obtained 7 A grade passes, 16 students obtained 6 A grade passes.  The number of subjects a student normally offers at the examination is 8.  The pass rate in mathematics has improved to 94%  At the GCE Ordinary Level examination in December 2002, the gradings from the school based assessments will play a significant role.

The GCE Advanced Level examination was held in August 2001. This was the first time that all students had to sit a General English paper.  Of the 138 who sat the General English paper, 103 obtained A's, 25 B's and 10C passes.  The Principal expresses her sincere thanks to all teachers who work hard and even organize extra chasses during  the holidays so that the syllabi could be covered.

Extra Curricular activities

We encourage students to participate in at least one c-curricular activity. But due to transport problems, tuition classes or disinterest of parents, this is not so. The Literary Societies (English, Sinhala and Tamil) encourage Drama, Oratory, and Debating. At the Inter School Drama Competition, Nishalka Mapa was adjudged the best supporting actress.

The Science Association held a successful Science Exhibition together with the Science Association of St Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia.  The Commerce Association organized a Commerce Day programme at which there were 3 guest speakers. The philatelic club organized a Stamp Exhibition together with the S. Thomas' Prep School.  It was of a very high standard.  The Interact Club organized a Seminar on 'Violence against Women'  8 Interactors visited India on a cultural exchange programme.

2 Senior Guides have been selected to attend an International Fellowship of Guides in the UK.

A keen interest in athletics is being shown by the students with the appointment of a new coach. They have been selected to participate at Divisional, Zonal and All Island levels. Netball, Table Tennis, Chess, Tennis, Badminton and Soft Ball cricket programmes continue. A swimming programme has been made available to students up to Grad 9.

We have included Introductory Chess into the curriculum for all students in Grades 2, 3 & 5 to improve their powers of thinking and reasoning. We are the first and only school in the island to do so.

The Senior and Junior choirs have been busy singing at the usual services and at the Festival of Choirs. The junior choir was placed 1st at the provincial level at the Singing Competition organized by the Department of Education.  There is a great improvement in the Brass Band

The Religious Societies continue to meet regularly. Social activity programmes are encouraged.

The Primary school had an excellent concert "The Magic Beanstalk"  All 738 students took part. The funds collected were used to buy computers and the primary school has a fully equipped computer lab.  Excursions were arranged for all classes so that students have an opportunity of visiting places of interest. An overnight stay was organized for the Grade 13 students where there was time for discussion of serious issues facing young people.

The Methodist College Education Society, Parent-Teacher Association and Old Girls Association continue to support the school. The Education Society meets all the financial challenges.  Mr George Dias, a former President, passed away.  He was a committee member from 1968 and President from 1982-2000  He served faithfully and was fully immersed in the activities of the school.  Mr T Chinniah stepped down as Hony. Secretary. He too served the committee faithfully for over 30 years.  He worked with great dedication giving of his best to the school. We thank him for his contribution.

A very successful 'Walk for MC 2002' was a fund raising event organized by these 3 organizations that support the school. This was followed by a mini fair. The funds collected will be used for the refurbishment of the Upper School. This has been proceeding according to the master plan. The upper floor of the hostel is almost complete. The Office block and Hall block (housing class rooms) have been completed.

At the AGM of the PTA, 5 teachers made excellent presentations of the implementation of the Education Reforms to keep parents informed. A parent, Mr David Van Eyck  also made a very effective and impressive media presentation on the plans drawn up by the Architect for developing the upper school.

The Old Girls' Association organized a musical evening 'Alphabetically Yours' as a fund raise. The branch associations in UK, Canada, Australia and USA continue to support their Alma Mater financially. Many of our young old girls have excelled in their various course of study.

We in Sri Lanka are overjoyed at the cessation of hostilities between the Government and the LTTE. We pray that talks will begin soon and that we will be able to enjoy a lasting peace, a just peace with liberty and equality for all.

The Principal also wishes to thank the Manager of the school, Rev Noel Fernando for his support and guidance as he chairs the meetings of the Governing Board. The Governing Board meets regularly to ensure the smooth running of the College.  On the recommendation of the Governing Board, the Standing Committee has appointed Mrs Shanthi Dias, Principal of Methodist College from 1 January 2003, as I will be retiring at the end of 2002.  Mrs Shanthi Dias is an old girl and presently Vice Principal of the school.

Methodist College was founded by Miss Catherine SCott in 1866 with a vision of a spirit of love, faith and service. This we have to carry on. As we look to the past and then to the future the words of John Wesley, the father of Methodism ring in our ears "The best of all is, God is with us" and with these words we move into the future and in the words of the hymn writer we too can say "  "We'll praise Him for all that is past and Trust Him for all that's to come"

Wesley college was started on 2 March 1874 - the anniversary of Rev John Wesley's death. The first Principal being Rev Samuel R Wilkin. Wesley College celebrated its 125th Anniversary in March 1999. The 125th Anniversary Building was dedicated on 29 June 2000. The hostel presently has 60 children. The number on roll is 2,123.

It is with a deep sense of accomplishment and thankfulness to God that the Principal, Mr M A P Fernando  submits this report.  He wishes to express his sincere thanks to the Standing Committee of the Methodist Church for appointing him as the 20th Principal of Wesley College.  The Principal had been encouraged and overwhelmed by the large gathering of Church leaders, old boys, parents and teachers who attended his service of Induction.

Wesley College journeyed through traditional events - Prize Giving, Athletic Meet, Founders Day, Methodist day, Parents Days, Commerce Day etc. absorbing new events names, the Resource Centre, Computerization of Office work, establishing links with a foreign school and reviving almost forgotten events such as the Colours Nite, the annual variety Entertainment during the period under review.

The Standing Committee of the Church confirmed Rev Shihan Fernando as the Vice Principal of the school. We congratulate him and wish him success in his future tasks.  The following teachers were successful in obtaining higher qualifications - Mr Kumar de Silva (MEd), Mr S H Samarasinghe (BEd), Mrs Wijerathna (BEd) Mrs Sherine Perera (BEd), Mrs Vijeladsmy (BEd), Mr M Roomy (BA) Mr B C Welarathna (BA)  Our students have benefited by their teaching skills. We congratulate them.

Mr Wasantha Kasthuriaaratchi returned after a brief training gprogramme in counseling. Student counseling has become an integral component of modern day education. He makes a meaningful contribution in this vital aspect.

Mrs S Edema, the former section head of the Primary returned to our staff and is in charge of the new resource centre. We welcome her to our midst.  The primary staff is strengthened by her experience and presence.  Mrs Ranjini Fernando left to take up an appointment as Principal of an International School.  We wish her success and thank her for the dedicated service rendered.  Three new English medium teachers were recruited to the GCE (A/L) Science section. We now conduct two A/L Science classes (Grade 12 & 13) and one Grade 1 class in the English medium.

The entire school community was grieved and saddened by the tragic death of Mr Murugananthan (GCE O/L and A/L teacher) on 24 June, which occurred when he was travelling in a private bus.  His remains were brought to the school to enable teachers, students and old boys to pay their last respects.  Wesley lost an efficient teacher, author of science books and a dear friend by this untimely demise.

Mrs Lalani Dias completed 25 years of service as a primary teacher in Janaury this year. A special assembly was held o honour her. The teachers' guild, PTA and Welfare Society organized functions to felicitate her.  We wish her many more years of dedicated service.

A joint seminar for sectional heads of Wesley and Methodist was held under the initiation of Mr Sisira Liyanage  (Government Board member and consultant of the Ministry of Education) at which teachers were briefed of the new teacher appraisal system. We welcome this innovative method, as it would increase the productivity and quality of teachers.

The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Education (SLAAED) conducted an informal teaching and learning of English programme for Primary students, which proved to be a success.  Two career guidance seminars were conducted by the Past Teachers Fellowship and the Old Boys Union to school leavers and students of Grade 13. My sincere thanks to Messrs Shelton Peiris and R Wijetilleke the two Presidents for initiating these two programmes.

The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) examination in December 2001 were satisfactory bu