St. Nicholas’ International College Negombo celebrates decade of academic excellence
Saturday, 29 June 2013 00:00
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St. Nicholas’ International College is the first Catholic International School in Sri Lanka and the Negombo College was established in the year 2003 as a branch school. With a humble beginning of 54 children in the kindergarten, within one year, the school grew to include 150 students in classes up to grade five. Since then, SNIC has grown steadily and development has been seen in all departments, including infrastructure, facilities, teachers and students. Today the school boasts of over 1500 students, as it celebrated ten years of academic excellence in the first week of June 2013. SNIC is also ranked amongst the elite international schools in the country at present.
In keeping with the ideals and to celebrate a decade of academic excellence, St. Nicholas’ International College had a variety of events and activities planned throughout the first week of June. The anniversary celebration commenced with religious observances at the college premises, followed by a special treat of ice-cream to all students by their teachers. A friendly basketball match and netball match were played between the staff and students.
The afternoon saw students, parents and well-wishers take to the streets of Negombo in a vehicle parade which travelled around the city, showcasing the achievements of the college through a number of floats. Over one hundred and fifty vehicles took part in the parade, draped in SNIC colours, carrying miniature college flags and college stickers on the back screens. A special t-shirt and cap were worn by all, depicting ten years of service to the school. The parade which took off from two locations, one from the north of Negombo and the other from the south, converged at the college grounds for the closing ceremony. After hoisting the anniversary flag to the music of the anniversary song compiled specially for the occasion, the academic staff, students and their parents who had completed “ten years” in college were recognised in a fitting ceremony focused on appreciating their solidarity. The ceremony concluded with the Nicholite family of students, staff and parents dancing their cares away, to the music provided by the DJ in attendance.
In keeping with social responsibility, a special CSR project was conducted on 8 June at the senior school, while a blood donation drive took centre stage along with a free medical camp; free medication distribution vision screening and spectacle donation also were done in co-ordination with Catholic Churches and other religious establishments in the surrounding area. SNIC also hopes to extend scholarships to needy students from surrounding areas for the academic year 2013/2014. The college comprises of multi-storey buildings, with the senior school located at Katana Road, Nelumpitiya and the junior school at Uluambalama, Mirigama Road, Negombo. The college has its own swimming pool, including a kids’ pool, play ground, basketball court and a netball court.
The college is the brain child of the Most. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo, who firmly believes in the right of every Catholic child to have proper Catholic education. Accordingly, backed by the Catholic Church, St. Nicholas’ International College has traditionally taught religion as an essential component of the holistic education promised by the school. SNIC also believes that religion as a subject is imperative for the development of students within a truly Catholic environment. Classes commence and conclude with daily prayers and Catholic liturgical seasons are strictly observed in college. Other religions are also taught to students of other faiths. The college also gives equal importance to cultural and national events, broadening the knowledge of students about Sri Lankan values.
