Loyola College Negombo excels from small beginnings
Saturday, 8 February 2014 00:00
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A tuition class conducted in a shed with 33 poor children in relative obscurity in the backwoods of Negombo grew to the status of a Registered Fee Levying Private School, and in time blossomed into an Assisted Private School.
This is the story in brief of Loyola College Negombo, an educational institution of excellence consistently maintaining high academic standards, discipline and a religious ethos in keeping with its motto “In Truth to Light and Life”.
During this life span Loyola College was privileged to obtain the services of an educationalist ‘par excellence’ in the person of Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin, a man of God who steered the school to great heights during the past 15 years. Under his rectorship the school made giant strides in the field of education and sports to make Loyola College a leading educational institute in Negombo with 2,200 students on roll and an academic stall of 93 members
The majestic looking school buildings which cater to the modern needs of the younger generation in the areas of learning skills, project work, competitions, extra-curricular activities, indoor and outdoor sports and games, and to cap it all aesthetics, giving an all round formation to youth, speak volumes of this great visionary with a mission.
Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin’s rewarding moments were in 2004 when the University Grants Commission selected Loyola College for the Award of “College with Potential for Excellence” and in 2006 when the college was re-accorded a A+ Level by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council.
Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin leaves the college at its zenith in response to a call for duty in the Lord’s vineyard. We wish him many fruitful years of service “Ad multos annos”.
His achievements were significant that they have to be written in stone for posterity .He changed the landscape to meet modern educational trends some of which were innovative to meet the challenges ahead. Perforce, reference has to be made to some of these achievements:
The college broke new ground by developing an innovative curriculum. The re-structured Undergraduate curriculum introduced in 2001 made a tremendous impact on the teaching learning process.
Foundation courses and outreach programs sensitised the students to social realities.
Restructuring Phase 11 in 2005 was an attempt to re-engineer education to suit the needs of tomorrow making the academic program student centric, relevant interdisciplinary and flexible.
The new building for the upper school provided classrooms for grades 9-11 comprising 14 class rooms, a staff room, a science laboratory, computer and home science section and an assembly hall.
Construction of an office building with three classrooms and an auditorium and the refurbishment of the primary school block.
Construction of an Advanced Level students building comprising a chapel, biology laboratory, chemistry laboratory, physics laboratory, staff rooms, canteen, bookshop, medical unit, 14 class rooms, audio-visual unit and computer laboratory.
Establishment of a branch school at Bopitiya managed by the Franciscan Congregation with a 25 member staff and 1,000 students.
A new Father’s residence.
Introduced stage drama productions and winning awards at the National Drama Festival for “Sarungala”, “Mang Honda Lamaya” and “Sunchi Punchi”.
The success of the Loyolian Innovative 2004 - an educational, cultural and trade exhibition held in May 2004.
The year 2009 marked the 60th Anniversary of Loyola College and the first ever “Loyolian Walk” symbolising the proud history of this prestigious institution. Over 10,000 people participated in the walk which under the direct supervision of Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin was a roaring success.
Farwell to Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin on Monday
Rev Fr Trevor Martin, Rector Loyola College Negombo from January 2000 has been transferred to St. Peter’s College, Colombo as a Rector, Principal.
During the period of Loyola College he has done a yeoman service to the school and students. Loyola College is a new creation of Rev Fr Trevor Martin. He is the Father of the School.
Students Parents and Teachers of Loyola College of Negombo have organised a farewell to Rev. Fr. Martin on 10th February at 8.00 a.m. at the Loyola College Premises. All the parents of Loyola College Negombo collected Rs. 4.6 million and donated a 2013 model Axio “ x” model hybrid car to Ref. Fr Martin as a gesture of gratitude for his pioneering service.
