Established 1895 Grades 1–13 Phone +94 91 2 234657 Founded 1895 | Principal Ranjith Thilakarathna Gender Boys Founder Jesuit Fathers Colors Green, Gold | |
Type Started as a Private Catholic, Currently State Run Motto Latin: Certa Viriliter
("Strive Manfully”) Address Templers Rd, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka Similar Richmond College, Mahinda College, Sangham Balika Vidyalaya, Bishops House, Vidyaloka College | ||
St. Aloysius' College is a boys' high school located in Galle, the capital city of Southern Province in Sri Lanka. The school was established in 1895 by recently arrived Belgian Jesuit missionaries, led by fr:Joseph Van Reeth, first bishop of Galle. St. Aloysius' College is a national school, which provides primary and secondary education. In 2012, it had 4,000 students on its roll.
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History
St. Aloysius' College is situated on Mount Calvery, neighbouring St. Mary's Cathedral on one side and Sacred Heart Convent on the other. The college was established in 1895 by Belgian Jesuit fathers and was named after the Jesuit Saint, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (born on 9 March 1568). Saint Aloysius' is regarded as the 'Patron Saint of the Youth' by the Jesuits because of the heroic acts that he had performed when he was a young Jesuit helping Plague victims in Rome, Italy in 1587. After a few years helping plague victims, young Saint Aloysius died on 21 June 1591 at the age of 23 when he himself contracted the disease. St. Aloysius' College, Galle, is one of many schools named after Saint Aloysius.
Until the Sri Lankan government brought legislation for nationalisation of schools in the island (with an exception of only a few schools), St. Aloysius' College was run by Jesuit Fathers and the medium of instruction was English. The first Buddhist Principal was appointed in the year 1971 and subsequently the medium of instruction was changed to Sinhala.
College Today
The college provides education to 4,000 students from grade 1 to grade 13. The students of the school fall into diverse religious groups where over 90 percent of students are Buddhists and the others are Christian (or Catholic) and Muslism.
College Crest's Elements
Center:IHS – Iesus Hominum Salvator("Jesus Savior of Mankind")
1.Elephant – Represents Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
2.Lilies – Purity of conscience
3.Torch – Torch of learning
4.Rooster – Symbol of Galle
College Houses
Students represent five houses that are named after Jesuit Fathers who were pioneers in developing the school in its early days. Students are divided into houses according to their admission number.
Sports
Sport is a major part of St.Aloysius College, with over 21 different sports played. Taking center stage of the annual sporting calendar are the St.Aloysius-Rahula (Big Match), Richmond College vs. St. Aloysius' College Annual Rugby Big Match. Other sports played at St.Aloysius include;
Clubs and societies
List of Clubs and Associations of Saint Aloysius College:
Old Boys' Associations (OBA's)
There are a few branches of OBA's located all around the world.