Vidura College, Nawala

Vidura College – Colombo is a secondary school in Sri Lanka, imparting education in English. The school maintains a balance between the English, Sinhala and Tamil languages and cultures, as well as promoting the national culture, traditions and heritage.

History

Vidura College was inaugurated on 27 January 1999, as a primary school, with the enrollment of six students to the Nursery and Grade 1 classes. Today the college conducts classes up to G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination, with a student population of over 2,700. Vidura is a test preparation center for GCE (Ordinary level and Advanced level) examinations – Dept. of Emaninations, Sri Lanka, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, UK (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance & Speech (IIMSD)

College emblem

The college logo symbolizes the goals envisaged by its founders:

• Lotus buds symbolize the student of Vidura
• The Lamp symbolizes the knowledge imparted to the student
• The Flame symbolizes the radiance of the student on graduation
• The Pot symbolizes the fullness of personality developed
• The Diamond symbolizes the part played by Vidura in making its work shine with brightness

The name "Vidura" means "vajra" ("the diamond").

College motto

The school motto, "Oneself is one's own protector" was inspired by a saying of the Lord Buddha.

Principal

Mr. D.G. Sumanasekera, BSc, Dip. Ed.,^[1][2] took the reins as the first Principal of Vidura College, Colombo, on 27 January 1999. Mr.pasan perera is responsible for the overall management of the school. He is assisted by a board of directors comprising educationalists and management leaders in Sri Lanka.

As the CEO, his responsibility is to assure sustainable development in the performance of the school and of Shikshana Educational Investments and Consultants (Pvt) Ltd.

An old boy of Ananda College Colombo and a graduate of the University of Ceylon (University of Colombo), Mr. Sumanasekera holds a Diploma in Education in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

He was the Chief Editor of the Educational Publications Department, Principal of Nalanda College Colombo and Mahanama College in Colombo, Sri Lanka and as Principal of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and as a Master Teacher at Government Secondary School, Daura, Nigeria.

He has been Examiner of the West African Examinations Council and made contributions to the activities of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.

Faculty

• Mr.D.G.Sumanasekara, Principal
• Mr.Somabandu Kodikara, Principal (Primary Section)
• Mrs.Hema Gunasekera, Deputy Principal
• Mrs.Jayanthi Pinnagoda, Deputy Principal/Head Mistress (GCE – A/L)
• Lt.Col.B.K.K.D. Wijesinghe, Vice Principal (Discipline)
• Mr.Sugath S Jayasekara, Vice Principal (Lower Secondary Section, Grade 6-7)
• Mr.Jayanthi M Manamperi, Vice Principal (Evaluations)
• Mrs.Anushka Rajapaksha, Head Mistress (Vidura Nursery School)
• Mrs.Piyumi Ariyananda, Head Mistress (Grade 1)
• Mrs.Givanthi Seneviratne, Coordinator(Grade 2)
• Mrs.Ilooka Alexander, Head Mistress (Grade 3)
• Mrs.Nadeeka Silva, Head Mistress (Grade 4)
• Mrs.Samanthi Gintotahewa, Head Mistress (Grade 5)
• Mr.G.M.B.R.Weerakoon, Vice Principal(Grade 8–9)
• Mrs.Nirmala Ranasinghe, Head Mistress (Grade 10)
• Mr.Anura Jayathilake, Head Master (Grade 11)
• Mr.Upul Kariyawasam, Vice Principal (Grade 10-11)
• Mr.Nelson Wijesena, Registrar (General Office)
• Mr.Upali de Silva (Manager – Sports, Snr. School)
• Mrs.Sharmain Karunaratne (Coordinator – Sports)
• Mrs.Janadari Senaratne (Coordinator – Cambridge English Exams – UK, Written & Spoken English Exams – UK)

Sections

The School is divided into five sections:

• Nursery School – Infant Group, Play Group and Reception
• Primary School – Grades 1 – 5
• Lower Secondary School – Grades 6 – 8
• Upper Secondary School – Grades 9 – 11
• High School – Grades 12 -13

Examinations

After completing Grade 11 students sit the G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Examination, Sri Lanka, as private candidates. Students proceeding further sit the G.C.E (Advanced Level) Examination, Sri Lanka after completing Grade 13.

Achievements

Vidura Champions in All Island Inter Schools Badminton U12, October 2012

Vidura under 12 Badminton team (girls and boys) became the champions in All Island Inter-schools Badminton Championship (Ananda Alahakoon Trophy) which was played at the Richmond College Sports Complex. The girls team emerged as champions in B division while boys team emerged as champions in C division.

Sports Centre

Sports activities include:

Badminton and swimming are conducted at hired facilities at Nawala and Nugegoda.

Extra-curricular activities

GCE (O/L) examination

2012: Vidura College secured 97% passes.

• Out of the 164 students who sat the examination, 13 candidates secured 9 A passes, 16 candidates secured 8 A passes, 14 candidates secured 7 A passes, 12 candidates secured 6 A passes, 8 candidates secured 5 A passes, 17 candidates secured 4 A passes and 12 candidates secured 3 A passes.

Summary: Total number of subjects: 1478—total A passes: 650 (44%), total B passes: 284 (19%), total C passes: 333 (23%) total S passes: 172 (12%)

2011: Vidura College secured 94% passes

• Out of the 99 students who sat the examination, 7 candidates secured 9 A passes, 6 candidates secured 8 A passes, 8 candidates secured 7 A passes, 8 candidates secured 6 A passes, 8 candidates secured 6 A passes, 10 candidates secured 4 A passes and 9 candidates secured 3 A passes.

Summary: total number of subjects: 874 — total A passes: 383 (44%), total B passes: 166 (19%), total C passes: 182 (21%) total S passes: 117 (13%)

2010: Vidura College secured 93% passes

• Out of the 60 students who sat the examination, 3 candidates secured 9 A passes, 4 candidates secured 8 A passes, 2 candidates secured 7 A passes, 5 candidates secured 5 A passes and 8 candidates secured 4 A passes.

GCE(A/L) Examination

2012: 6 students passed (Mathematics Stream: 2, Art stream: 3, Commerce stream: 1).,

References