St._Joseph's_College,_Wattala

St. Joseph's College, Wattala

St. Joseph's College, Wattala

Government-aided private school in Sri Lanka

St. Joseph's College, Wattala also known as "St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 - Wattala Branch" was formerly known as St. Joseph's College, Enderamulla. It is a Catholic private school situated in the suburbs of Colombo. It is a selective entry Catholic school commenced on 10 January 1996 under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera.[3] The College enrolls over 1,400 students with a staff of over 85.

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The school is a non-fee levying school, whereby it receives some state funding, relying mostly on funds from an extensive network of alumni worldwide.[4]

School buildings cover 7.3 hectares (18 acres) and include a College chapel, and auditorium.

History

The concept of the branch schools in the Archdiocese was initiated by the Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo.[5] St. Joseph’s College, Wattala, was in fact the first branch school of St. Joseph's College, Colombo.

The school commenced with sixty students on 10 January 1996 under the guidance of the first Rector, Stanley Abeysekera. Thereafter, a few buildings including an auditorium were constructed as the requirement arose.[6]

The school was constructed on a plot of land of 3.2 hectares (8 acres) donated by Esther Seneviratne on 17 January 1991, a member of the Catholic Parish of Enderamulla. She donated this land in memory of her husband Wilfred Seneviratne. On 28 August 1992, the President, Ranasinghe Premadasa, donated a 4.0 ha (10 acres) land to Nicholas Marcus Fernando. It was during this time that the Gomis and Fernando drew up a plan to put up the second branch school of the Archdiocese of Colombo within the aforementioned properties and in the vicinity of Enderamulla.[7]

At first, in a temporary building, a nursery for the children of Enderamulla, Mabole, Wattala and Kelaniya was opened in 1995 by the Directress of the Nursery Section, Lourdes Marie. The first teacher in this nursery was Mariya Sarojini Coin. While the nursery was functioning, the construction work for the new school was begun with the financial support of the Catholic Businessmen and Professionals Association, affiliated to the Archdiocese.[8]

The president of the Association was Joel Selvanayagam, who with the other members initiated this project to construct a branch school of St. Joseph's College. In a year's time, the first two-storey building with six classrooms was ready to start the school.[9]

On 10 January 1996, the first academic year was started with 60 students from neighbouring areas including Wattala, Mabole, Ragama, Kelaniya and Weliveriya.[10]

Past Priests-in-Charge, Principals and Rectors

Priests-in-Charge

Rev. Fr. Sudath Gunetileke 1996–2000
Rev. Fr. Kennedy Perera 2000–2001
Rev. Fr. Sam Quintus Perera 2001–2003
Rev. Fr. Sudath Gunetileke 2003–2005

Principals

Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle 2006–2008
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi 2008–2011

Rectors

Rev. Fr. Stanley Abeysekera 1996
Rev. Fr. Victor Silva 1996–2005
Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe 2005–2011
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi 2011–2014
Rev. Fr. Gemunu Dias 2014-2017
Rev. Fr. Prasad Niranjan Fernando 2017-2022
Rev. Fr. Sudham Perera 2022–2023
Rev.Fr. Sudath Gunetileke 2023–Present

College Identity

Colour(s)

Blue & White

Flag

The official college flag consists of two navy blue stripes and a white stripe in the middle which are all equal in size. In some occasions, a flag with the college Crest placed in the middle is also used.

St. Joseph's College Flag
St. Joseph's College flag with the College crest

Houses

Bonjean House

  • Named after Ernest Christopher Bonjean, first Archbishop of Colombo.[11]
  • Colour :  

Melizan House

  • Named after Andrew Melizan, second Archbishop of Colombo.[12]
  • Colour :  

Coudert House

  • Named after Anthony Coudert, third Archbishop of Colombo.[13]
  • Colour :  

Marque House

  • Named after Peter Marque, fourth Archbishop of Colombo.[14]
  • Colour :  

References

  1. [1]
    "St. Joseph's College, Colombo 10, Wattala Branch, Phone +94 112 938 184".
  2. [2]
    "St. Joseph's College (Fees & Reviews) Sri Lanka, Enderamulla".
  3. [3]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  4. [4]
    "St. Joseph's College Colombo | 10 Old Boys' Union - SJC Old Boys' Union".[non-primary source needed]
  5. [5]
    "Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis – Archdiocesan Education Service".
  6. [6]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  7. [7]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  8. [8]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  9. [9]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  10. [10]
    "News - St. Joseph's College Colombo 10 Wattala Branch".[non-primary source needed]
  11. [11]
    "Christopher Bonjean - 1st Archbishop of Colombo".
  12. [12]
    "Andrew Melizan - 2nd Archbishop of Colombo".
  13. [13]
    "Anthony Coudert - 3rd Archbishop of Colombo".
  14. [14]
    "Peter Marque - 4th Archbishop of Colombo".
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