Suvarna Garge (Editor)

St Bridget's Convent, Colombo

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Type
  
Government

Established
  
1902

Phone
  
+94 11 2 695200

Founded
  
1902

Gender
  
Single-sex education

Religious affiliation(s)
  
Roman Catholic

Website
  
www.stbridgets.lk

Motto
  
Gently and firmly

Color
  
Green, White

Address
  
C W W Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka

Similar
  
Musaeus College, Holy Family Convent, Ladies' College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo Internatio School

St. Bridget's Convent is a private girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was founded on February 1, 1902 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd order, making it one of the earliest mission schools of the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland in Ceylon. The school today consists of a Montessori school, a primary school and a collegiate school. It comprises 1324 students taught by a staff of 105 teachers.

Contents

History

On 1 February 1902, at the request of Most Rev. Dr. T. A. Melizan O.M.I, Archbishop of Colombo, St. Bridget's Convent was established as the second house of the Good Shepherd congregation for the education of young ladies. It was the third school in the Colombo area opened by the nuns. The first classes were held at a rented house on Turret Road (Colpetty) called 'The Firs'. Two sisters, Sr. Mary of St.Francis Borgia and Sr. Mary of Our lady of Lourdes, came from the original Kotahena Convent school (Good Shepherd Convent) to undertake this work. With the opening of the school by the sisters of the Good Shepherd, the long cherished wish of Most Reverend Dr.T.A Melizan became a reality.

Symbols

The Irish origins of the Good Shepherd sisters are seen in the school colours, emblem and unique traditions.

Emblem

The school emblem depicts in essence the heart of the school. The rationale for its functioning and for its role within and without is reflected in the school motto ‘Gently and Firmly’. The other symbols include:

  • Fountain: symbolises fountain of learning
  • Dark green leaves and shamrock: the sisters' resilience and Irish origins
  • Shepherd's Crook: refers to the Good Shepherd sisters and God as the Good Shepherd who looks after his fold and guides them safely across the path
  • Patron saint

    The patron saint of the school is St. Bridget, the patron saint of Ireland, whose feast is commemorated in the 1st of February of each year.

    Code of Ethics

    The Code of Ethics, the rules that govern the behavior of students, the goals and objectives of discipline are embedded in the school motto, ‘Gently and Firmly’.

    Houses

    There are 4 houses in the primary school and the collegiate school:

  • Borgia House - motto "Charity to All, Malice to None"
  • Coudert House - motto "Fidelity to Duty is the Path to Glory"
  • Griaux House - motto "Onwards and Upwards"
  • Melizan House - motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
  • The houses are named for Dr. T.A. Melizan, Mother St. Francis Borgia, Father G. Griaux and Dr. A. Coudert, who were involved in the development of the school from the start.

    Extracurricular activities

    Extracurricular activities are always encouraged among the students and they have always maintained a high standard in them. English Literary Association, Sinhala Literary Association, Tamil Literary Association, Science Society, Commerce Society, Health and Nature club, Astronomical Club, Drama Society, Debate club, scrabble club, choir, girl guides association, interact club & UN club are the clubs and societies which provides facilities to the students to gain the knowledge and experience from the extracurricular activities.

    References

    St Bridget's Convent, Colombo Wikipedia