Warden’s Blog
“Esto Perpetua.”
For 175 years, these two words have been more than a school motto; they have been a heartbeat. We stand today at a major milestone in our history. We are not only just celebrating a school anniversary; we are also celebrating a cornerstone of Sri Lankan identity.
In 1851, when our Founder and first Bishop of Colombo James Chapman declared open this school upon a hill in Mutwal envisioning the school to be the “Eton of the East”, he did not intend to only build a school; he wanted to mould boys to become well adjusted rounded men to be of service to society. Today, as the sea breeze sweeps through the corridors of Mount Lavinia—our home since 1918—we see that his vision did not just survive; it flourished. 175 years is a long time in the history of a nation, and through every triumph and every trial our country has faced, the Blue, Black, and Blue has remained a symbol of stability and excellence.
I have always pondered… What makes S. Thomas’ different? I believe it is in the balance.
Academics: We have always sought “Education for Life,” not just for exams. From the quiet halls of the library to the rigorous classrooms, our goal has been to produce thinkers, critics, and leaders.
The Chapel: At the heart of our campus stands the Chapel of the Transfiguration. It reminds us that professional growth without spiritual depth is hollow. It is where we find the moral compass that guides a Thomian in the boardroom or the battlefield.
The Playing Fields: From the adrenaline of the Royal-Thomian to the grit of the rugby pitch and the swimming pool, sport at STC is where we learn to win with humility and lose with grace.
Extra-Curriculars: Whether it is the choir’s harmonies, the debating team’s logic, or the dramatists’ flair, we celebrate the “all-round man.”
The ability to balance and the need to grow in all aspects of life that is taught in this school, are, at least in my opinion, what makes this school different.
An institution is only as strong as its people.
To my Staff: You are the unsung heroes. You don’t just teach subjects; you mentor souls. You have been entrusted with the care and nurture of these young lives, to mould their habits, to fix their principles and to make them good as well as wise. There is no greater calling in the world, as you help shape the future. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to the children with renewed interest and determination.
To the Old Boys: You are our greatest ambassadors. Whether you are in Colombo, London, or Melbourne, you carry the spirit of the College with you. Carry it proudly and remember that whatever you do, you bring credit or discredit to this our school. Be Men and Gentlemen always.
As we stand at this 175-year milestone, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean to be a Thomian in the middle of the 21st century? We celebrate our history not to become a museum of the past, but to ensure we have a compass for the future.
The world our current boys will inherit is vastly different from the one Bishop Chapman stepped into, or even the one we old boys navigated in our time in College. We are living in an era of unprecedented transition—where Artificial Intelligence, global economic shifts, and environmental challenges are rewriting the rules of engagement. In such a world, the temptation is to focus solely on technical survival. But at S. Thomas’, our vision remains higher.
Our vision for the future is to produce men who are not just ‘tech-savvy’ or ‘market-ready,’ but men who are ‘human-centric.’ As we integrate modern technology and state-of-the-art facilities—symbolised by the completion of the Senior Quadrangle—we must ensure that the ‘Thomian heart’ remains unchanged. We want our boys to lead in the boardrooms of the future, not just because they are the smartest in the room, but because they are the most ethical. We want them to use the tools of the future to solve the problems of humanity, guided by the moral backbone they developed right here, between the Chapel and the sea.
The Quadrangle: A Symbol of Unity. The completion of the Senior Quadrangle, through the architectural genius of Desamanya Vidya Jyoti Ashley De Vos and the historic generosity of Eng. Nahil Wijesuriya, serves as a powerful metaphor for our future. Think of it: a project envisioned by a Thomian and completed by a son of Trinity. This is the vision we hold for our country—a future where we reach across traditional divides to build something lasting. It teaches our boys that while we are fiercely proud of our school, our ultimate loyalty is to the progress of our nation and the service of our fellow man.
To the boys currently in the hall and in the classrooms: You are the 175th generation of a lineage that has produced Prime Ministers, Bishops, world-class athletes, and captains of industry. But do not let that legacy intimidate you; let it empower you. You are the ‘living stones’ of this College. The buildings are made of mortar and brick, but the spirit of S. Thomas’ is made of your courage, your kindness, and your integrity.
Our vision is that you leave these gates knowing that true success is not measured by what you gather, but by what you give back.
As we begin the 25-year march towards our bicentenary, our commitment is to excellence without arrogance. We will continue to upgrade our facilities, but we will also continue to guard the sanctity of our traditions. We will remain a school that values the choir as much as the cricket pitch, and the prayer as much as the prize.
Let us ensure that 175 years from now, a future generation will stand on these same grounds, look back at our work today, and say that we were faithful stewards of this legacy.
God bless you all, and God Bless S. Thomas’ College
Esto Perpetua – for all we have and are.
