Walking Down the Ten Years of Memory Lane - 10th Anniversary of Lyceum International School - Nuwara Eliya

The dream of a visionary educationist in our country, who was born to the fortune of the children of our nation, the founder of Lyceum International School, Hon. Dr. Mohan Lal Grero made his vision of providing quality education through which young generations are prepared for the global challenges to be faced smartly has come to a reality today through his mission implemented facing all rough and tough situations over the last 29 years.

The vision of Lyceum is to produce global citizens who will reshape the future of their motherland has come to reality through the mission to enhance the potential of every young soul that passes through our halls, empowering them to be the best they can be. The founder of Lyceum International School, Hon. Dr. Mohan Lal Grero continued to pay his keen concern with the helping hands of the Coordinating Principal Dr. Mrs. Kumari Grero who is the soulful shadow behind him in every step of his journey and also to look into the requirement of providing a quality world-class English medium education to the children where they do not have such access.

His care and concern made the children of the upcountry receive this high standard English Medium Education institute which was established in a picturesque landscape at No.45, Water Field Drive, Nuwara Eliya on 23rd April 2012 as the 6th branch of the Lyceum family. Mrs. P. Prakashpathi who is well experienced in the field of Education was the first principal of Lyceum Nuwara Eliya and her contribution to laying a strong foundation for this Lyceum Nuwara Eliya Branch must be remembered with high gratitude.

The contribution given by Mr. Nikitha Grero as the Director of Lyceum Nuwara Eliya in pioneering and guiding the inception of the remarkable journey made by Lyceum Nuwara Eliya was exceptional as it wasn’t that lubricated machinery when the school began in a temporary old building with limited space. But he was the young visionary leader who stormed out the rough seas of this journey until Lyceum Nuwara Eliya found this peaceful destination to continue further and must proudly be remembered with such gratitude.

At the very inception of the Lyceum Nuwara Eliya, there were 450 students and 50 academic and non-academic staff members now has grown up to 659 students and 97 academic and non-academic staff members over the past ten years. The 10 years journey that the Lyceum Nuwara Eliya made sure to inculcate an excellent mindset and appropriate ethics in our pupils in every phase of their school career.

Pre-primary to grade 8 students at Lyceum Nuwara Eliya follow Lyceum Syllabus while grade 9 students are facilitated with National syllabus to face their G.C.E. O/L Examinations and the students who get qualified for AL are catered with National based G.C.E. A/L which rightly serve for the demands of educational requirements of Nuwara Eliya community.

It wouldn’t have been a quality educational reality unless a highly qualified team of teachers those who have served tirelessly under any circumstances to educate and reshape the future of the students in the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural community of Nuwara Eliya. Our teachers’ efforts and commitments over the last 10 years are commendable at every stage of the students’ career at Lyceum Nuwara Eliya proven with quality G.C.E. O/L and G.C.E. A/L results at the end of their school career.

Although Lyceum Nuwara Eliya is one of the youngest members of the Lyceum family, it is indeed very proud to mention that our alma mater is always smart enough to make qualify a large number of students to State Universities across the island in the fields of Commerce, Maths, Science, English Literature, Information Technology, and Agricultural Science. According to the personal preference of the AL qualified students, some choose either to enter the private universities in our country registered under the university grant commission or the well-renowned universities across the globe is another proud academic achievement Lyceum Nuwara Eliya humbly boasts about during the 10 years memory lane of it. On the way of 10 years journey of Lyceum Nuwara Eliya, the majestic posture of the “Athenium” building of wisdom brought new outlooks and rich dimensions to the physical infrastructure on5th February 2014 which started facilitating the young aspirants to mold their future in a proper and an accepted way before they step into the world to render their service wherever they do go.

“Niketron’’ playground which was expanded and renovated and the Aeolian Hall which facilitates the dual-mode of an Indoor Stadium plus Auditorium were handed over to the students on 1st October 2019 providing them the space of freedom to play Cricket, Soccer, Netball and do their physical exercise classes energetically and enthusiastically. Senior and junior Laboratories function under the Departments of Science in Middle School hand in hand with the Chemistry, Biology, and Physics departments of Upper School are well equipped with all necessary apparatus and required chemicals to explore the recommended practicals of Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics those which cater the practical knowledge demands at their National G.C.E. O/L and G.C.E. A/L Examinations.

The capacity for quality education provided by Lyceum Nuwara Eliya is well demonstrated by IT Lab which facilitates the students from Grade 5 upwards to learn and explore the world at their fingertips and to fuse with the global village. The School Library which is enriched with diverse types of books related to almost all the subjects and languages bring a meditative atmosphere for the students and staff members to find their interest level in reading for pleasure and knowledge. The most recognized books related to all subjects taught at school and encyclopedias are also in access.

Giving high priority to kids in preprimary grades and to deserve the purpose of their level of psychomotor learning, technically designed play area beautifying with the nature surrounded by rose gardens and other attractive ornamental greens obviously creates a mindset for the kids to grow their affection towards the nature while learning, playing and harmonizing with peers. A school cafeteria is a place where students and staff members can get well balanced, clean diet in a friendly and pleasing atmosphere with their friends during the interval or after school when they happened to stay for co-curricular activities or sports activities.

Fresh food and beverages provided by the school cafeteria are well monitored and supervised by the relevant officers and the PHI. Considering the development of the technical skills and the ability to organize the visual elements necessary to communicate concepts and experiences across various media is being done through the Art Department. Young children are always motivated to be present in the school to enjoy the lessons. The art room is located adjoined to picturesque landscapes to create a calm atmosphere to relax the minds.

Children take part in various competitions, exhibitions, and Art Pola throughout the year. One of our young artists was highly appreciated by the Indian Commissioner at a Public Art Exhibition. Dancing is a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. It was a wide range of physical and mental benefits which help to strengthen a child with a profound outlook. Ours is a closely-knit family consisting of different cultures where everyone enjoys all forms of dance at every stage. As a result, we provide both Cultural Dancing and Bharatha Natyam for the satisfaction of the upcountry community.

Other than the internal competitions, every year our students compete with other schools around the island, especially in All Island competitions, and won many awards bringing glory to the entire Nuwara Eliya district. Western Music is another form of Art that combines each one of us as a global citizens. It is scientifically proven that music enhances cognitive performance where our core, is derived from the natural laws of the universe. LIS LE paved a greater concern for the growth of Western Music among our students while providing the necessary instruments and the basic infrastructure to become experts in this field of sensations.

Our children have proved the sentimental touch of an inspirational blend of music where it echoes glamorously among the meadows of upcountry. We also have proved many times that we are the most experienced, symphonized braze band owner in the heart of the Nuwara Eliya. Traditional music expresses our culture, tradition, and the significance of our history and gives narratives of our people and their life. Even though we are an International School we make sure to admire and promote the fine traditions of our inheritance.

We have nurtured the area of Eastern Music from the very inception of our school curriculum to cater to the students and to cherish the unique dimensions of our prestigious culture. The talents of our young students have touched the horizons of different stages in the national arena. ‘’Healthy minds are always implanted in healthy bodies’’. While many subjects at school are taught primarily in the classroom, sports and physical education provide a great opportunity for children to head outside, get active and focus on developing different skills.

The benefits of sports in education are vast and they aren’t just physical benefits. Sports positively impact students in their academic progression and beyond. We always encourage and motivate students to participate in school sports to increase confidence, mental alertness, and self-esteem. Athletic, Cricket, Soccer, Netball, and Badminton are some of the famous sports activities that our children engage with. Having utilized the facilities student have proved that we are the best in the region. One of our students has been selected to the under 14 National Cricket Squad too.

We are indeed proud to mention that the Lyceum International School, Nuwara Eliya is the only branch school to have Golf as a sport. We are anxiously longing to create national players and perfect sports individuals. Our family at Nuwara Eliya Lyceum always has a great concern for day-to-day life. The development of Life skills helps students to find new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Realizing the impact of their actions teaches them to take responsibility for what they do rather than complain to others.

We build confidence both in spoken skills and in group collaboration and cooperation. Our kids are equally catered with Electronics, Civics, and Cookery where they gain the most effective practical knowledge which helps the students to be smart and confident. One of the most important and needed areas in the school is the Sick Bay. Students always feel relaxed and comfortable in situations when they are physically or mentally unrest. It holds the responsibility of the students from the moment they are in any physical or mental unrest till they are handed over to their parents.

Well-experienced medical assistants are always ready to assist the students individually with the resources available. Our Sick Bay consists of comfortable beds, first aids, water filters, scales, etc. We have set a fine example for most of the schools and institutions by proving the importance of a Sick Bay in an emergency. When the management, Teachers, and Students effectively engage in education and set future goals the Security Department silently protects every nook and corner of the school premises in and out. The Guard Room is the busiest place throughout the day.

It greatly balances both physical and human resources to maintain discipline and order. Our Guard Room consists of young energetic security offices, an Electronic Metal Detector, Healthcare instruments, and CCTV cameras in and around the school. Clubs and Societies are a great way to build the character and the skills that will benefit a child in school, in career, and in life. Skills like commitment, leadership, effective communication, and the ability to work successfully in a group, come from active participation in the events of Clubs and Societies.

We the family at Nuwara Eliya Lyceum have a keen concern for Scouting, Cub Scouting, and Little Friends. Every year a group of students moves into the society and a new set of students takes in where they were promoted into various positions. Few of our students excel in exceptional skills and march forward to capture positions at the National Level. With the organization of various community service projects, these young groups prove the potential that they have within them.

The ten years journey made by Lyceum International School, Nuwara Eliya was challenging yet progressive and a successful one under much Internal Management which facilitated responsibilities to the student community and catered to the best academic and co-curricular hybridized education at all times. The atmosphere at Lyceum Nuwara Eliya is always welcoming and encouraging. Any team member gets valuable opportunities to contribute to the development of the school in many ways.

At the same time, each team member’s ideas and opinions are highly considered thus utilizing them in uplifting the academic progress of the students by the school authorities with enthusiasm. Significantly successful transformation of the physical education to online education during the Covid-19 pandemic was the massive challenge that the Lyceum Nuwaraeliya faced and made it a reality with the production of excellent G.C.E. O/L & G.C.E. A/L results in the year 2021/2022.

It is very humble and proud to announce that the present internal management of Lyceum Nuwara Eliya led by the principal Ms. Sinduja Rajaram who is well equipped with updated IT skills extended the fullest support to the teachers to produce excellent G.C.E. O/L and G.C.E. A/L results during the Covid-19 Pandemic even though students did the syllabus completion, revision programs, and special exam preparation process online. Even though Lyceum International School, Nuwara Eliya is located in an area that is exposed to a less competitive educational atmosphere the Internal management with the able guidance given by the Central Service of Lyceum International School, teachers, students, and presents made its 10 years journey a success regardless the challenges appeared in front of them especially due to Covid-19 pandemic that is followed by the prevailing economic crisis in the country.

We the family of Lyceum International School, Nuwara Eliya continue to strive in a successful journey to create individuals who will not only fit into the further demands of the global job market but also become assets and a blessing to the society at large who will be enthused and satisfied with their lives so to contribute their best to the welfare of the mankind and nature as universal citizens who think globally yet act locally preserving their Sri Lankan Identity.

Written By Dilrukshi Samarasinghe