St. Lawrence’s Convent is a school that goes back in history to the year 1900, when Mrs. Janet Poulier, an ardent educationist began a humble school in the drawing room of her residence, named “Lawrence Villa”.
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| “The school band in action” |
Initially the school provided an education for both girls and boys, however, as the school expanded it was made an exclusive girls school and was established at its current location on Galle road in Wellawatte. The rapid expansion of this humble school made Mrs.Poulier entrust the establishment to the Catholic Church of Sri-Lanka, with the request that the name Lawrence always remained. Hence, in 1951 the school was taken over by Rev.Fr. Robert Fernando on behalf of the Catholic Church. The school is currently administered by the Good Shepherd Congregation under the management of the Catholic Education Office. The patron saint of the school is St.Lawrence, a saint and a martyr.
St. Lawrence’s school currently offers education in the English and Sinhala media for almost 1500 students, the school is proud to say that they maintain a teacher to a student ratio of one teacher to every twenty-two students. Students are offered Advanced Levels in the Arts, Commerce and more recently the Science streams, with Commerce being offered in Sinhala and English medium. The school, under the guidance of Principal Rev.Sr. Mary Chandrika Perera, takes great pride in the productivity of the school and its organisation skills. The recognition that St. Lawrence’s Convent received at the National Productivity Awards in 2008 and 2009 stands as a true testament to the skills implemented within the school. In 2010, St Lawrence’s received second place as the Best Environment Friendly School in the Colombo District, this again reflects the schools teaching on the importance of preserving the environment and taking care of the surroundings.
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| “Entrance to St.Lawrence’s Convent – Colombo 06” |
The St. Lawrence’s basketball team is consistent in their victories and most recently were the runners up at the All-Island basketball competition in 2011. Student Natasha Perera, was also the captain of the National Basketball team which participated at the 2nd FIBA Asia Schools Basketball Championship. Students of the Advanced Level Commerce stream participated at Marketing Challenge 2012 organised by the Sri-Lanka Institute of Marketing, where they were judged as the first runners up. Several students also received placements, at provincial level, within the top three in the English language competitions conducted by the Department of Education, achievements were in the categories of impromptu speech, creative writing, recitation, drama whilst the primary, junior and senior choirs received first place.
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| “The Basketball runners-up team at the All-Island school games 2011” |
St. Lawrence’s students also emerged all-island winners with a several places in solo singing and dancing at the 14th annual Festival of Music, Speech and Drama conducted by the International Institute of Music, Speech and Drama, whilst at the junior level, the English drama team came in second. A Lawrentian was the recipient of the award for the best actress at the State Children’s Drama Festival in 2011.
The Primary Sinhala Drama team received the first place at the All Island Drama and Theater Competition organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in 2011 and the Junior Sinhala Drama team received second place. Speaking on the student successes with Principal Rev. Sr. Mary Chandrika Perera, she said: “I am very happy with my Lawrentians, God has gifted them with so much talent”, she added, “We give students the support and guide them, with love and care, in the right direction and we request parents to let students to participate in such extra-curricular activities as it keeps them engaged and helps to build a total personality, it is only then that they gain the maximum from the school”.
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| “Investiture of the Junior prefects for 2012” |
Speaking about the educational experience at St Lawrence’s Rev Sr. Perera said, “We give a Catholic education and impart faith to the students. Everyone should have deep faith in their own religion, otherwise we are just walking shadows. Faith helps us to build peace and live together in society. We not only impart knowledge to students but we also create in them a thirst for more knowledge, thus students are able to gain more through independent learning methods. This is the success factor for their future as well.”
At St. Lawrence’s students are taught practical approaches to practising good virtues with each week being dedicated to practicing a pticular virtue? This is followed by the principal, teachers and students of the school equally. Importance is also given to daily prayer for students of all religions, as it helps to develop a deeper faith.
St. Lawrence’s has a strong Past Pupils Association with over 600 members and an international association in Australia, “The past students are the best reflection of the success of the school, they display the qualities of a true Lawrentian through their interactions in society,” said Rev Sr. Perera. Speaking on the role of parents Rev. Sr. Perera said, “Parents should build a practical relationship with the school and give a lot of support. Their most important wealth is deposited at the school and it is very important for students and parents to be engaged”.
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