Musaeus College Past Pupils Association

History

Musaeus College Past Pupils Association was inaugurated in 1934. The first President was Miss. Sujatha Nimalasuriya, then principal of Musaeus College. Some of the founder members were Mrs. Guy Paranawithana, Mrs. Rose de Silva, Mrs. C. Hapugalle and Miss. Elsie Perera. The first Founders Day Celebration was organized by the Manager of school Mr. Peter de Abrew. It was decided thereafter that the Founders Day be regarded as an annual event for celebration by the Past Pupils Association.

Note - The Founders day is not celebrated by the PPA today. But annually "Marie Musaeus Higgins - Peter de Abrew Memorial Lecture' is held in the month of July since 1995.

1946

Membership of 84 and of these 54 were Life Members.

Mrs. Somie Seneviratne was elected President

Hon. Joint Secretaries - Mrs. M. D. F. Jayasuriya

Miss. Nanda de Silva

Concerts, Stage Plays, Prize Distributions were organized by the PPA. The Founders Day Celebration held on the 16th November 1946, Dr. G. P. Malalasekera recalled the contributions made by foreigners to the name of Buddhism and Buddhist Education in Sri Lanka and recounted the achievements of Col. Henry Steele Olcott, Woodward and Mrs. Marie Musaeus Higgins.

1947

The M.C.P.P.A. organized the Prize Giving at the Higgins Memorial Hall. The Chief Guest was the Attorney- General Mr. H. H. Basnayake.

1948

Miss. Lucy de Soysa a past pupil obtained her doctorate this year. This was the schools first academic success and the PPA held a dinner at which Sir Ivor Jennings was the Chief Guest Mr. E. A. Nugawela, then Minister of Education was also presentat the occasion.

1949

Organized a scholarship for a course in dress making

1950

Inauguration of the Peter de Abrew Scholarship

1951

With the help of the PPA Mrs. C. Hapugalle published "Wana Pasa Mala" the life story of Mrs. Higgins

1963

Donated Rs. 5000/- to the Board of Trustees to put up a sick room

A Scholarship was set up for an extra bright student of the School.

The PPA under Mrs. D. G. de Silva was very active. She invited all the past pupils to join the Association and work for the betterment of the School.

1986

First Coffee Morning was organized by the PPA

1990

"Gracing Movements" an evening of all types of dance movements was held at the B.M.I.C.H.

1993 - Centenary Year of Musaeus College

Pahan Pooja held to mark the beginning of the Centenary Year by the Past Pupils.Centenary Carnival - Proceeds of this- about 2 million Rupees were utilized to gift a computer laboratory to the School.

Proceeds from fund raisers amounting to Rupees 2 million were donated to the Armed Forces as the country was experiencing internal strife during this time.

The centenary committee office bearers were

President - Miss. C. K. Abayaratna

Vice Presidents - Padma Soysa

Buddheni Gunasekera

Nimal Fonseka

Hemamali Abeysirigunawardene

Joint Secretaries - Mal de Zoysa

Vajira Rajapakse

Joint Treasurers - Sherine Amarasekere

Grizilda Wijewardene

Auditor - Lanka Panaditaratne

1995 - President Mrs. N. K. Pilapitiya

This year the PPA donated a photocopying machine and a refrigerator to the Nursery - Also repaired the Shrine Room which is the only old building in existence at present.

Around this time the President suggested to the Association to adopt a school with less facilities. Under her guidance Sri Sobhitha Vidyalaya Moragasmulla, Rajagiriya was identified. The school continues to receive a midday meal from the PPA once a week. We have assisted the Football Team of this school and we are proud of their achievements. The PPA has helped in installation of pipe borne water to the buildings and with their maintenance. Annually we collect uniforms from our present pupils, sort them out and distribute among the Sobhitha Vidyalaya students. We also assist them in their class project work, Sports Meet, and Prize Giving.

The Past Pupils Association offer evening Tea to the inmates of Victoria Home Rajagiriya annually.

The Past Pupils Association recognizes the dedicated services of the teachers. Since the Year 2002 we commemorate the Teachers Day. In September 2003 staff of Musaeus College was entertained to a Day Out at the Ranmal Holiday Resort, Moratuwa.

All teachers and staff who complete 25 years of service are felicitated at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

The parlour in the new office building complex was refurbished by the PPA. We also equipped the principals' office with furniture and curtaining.

The PPA helps the present Musaeites in numerous ways. The counseling unit of the School was established by us. We trained a fellow past pupil as the counselor. She is kept busy by the students who require her services and the need grows daily.

We donate funds as and when required by the Students: Air fare for the Drummer of the Dance Troupe, Band Instruments, and Costumes for School Plays etc.

The Association pays the School Fees of a needy student as recommended by the principal.

The minor employees of the school are given a parcel of Dry Rations in April each year before the New Year.

Once a year a sil programme is planned by the PPA and past pupils old and young participate. On this day meals are provided by the association.

On Remembrance Day the School organizes an all night Pirith Ceremony and a Sanghika Dane. Each Year the PPA donate pirikara to the Sangha. To coincide with these day the Past Pupils Association organizes The Marie Musaeus Higgins - Peter de Abrew Memorial oration. It commenced in the year 1995 and many of our distinguished past pupils were invited to deliver the oration.

The Past Pupils Association organizes a Day Out for the general membership in the month of August/September. It is a day to meet past pupils old and young, to renew forgotten friendship and to enjoy.

May - we had a Fellowship Lunch to honour the past pupils who sang the National Anthem in the First Independence Commemorative Ceremony in 1949. Many participated and it was a great Success.

Some of the Fund raisers organized by the PPA

Musaeus Walk

Bhathiya and Santhush Mucial Show

Musaeus Carnival 105

Musaeus Sparkle Carnival

Musaeus Dinner Dance organized every two years

Sing along with Sam the Man

Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2004

Coffee Mornings/Evenings

The community projects, School Activities, Fellowship Programmes are made possible by the fundraisers organized by us. The committee works tirelessly to make these ventures profitable. Many past pupils assist us by way of voluntary work, canvassing advertisements and Banners for Display from mercantile establishments. We welcome their assistance and hope they will be with us in the future too.

Another ambitious project on boards is the establishment of an Elderly Home to assist many of our past pupils in their twilight years. We hope we would be able achieve our goal.

The Musaeus College Past Pupils Association elects the executive committee every two years. The Committee Meets once a month. The President chairs the meeting. The meetings are held in the School Premises at 6.00 p.m. The Annual General Meeting is held in the month of November.

Application Forms for membership could be obtained at the School Office on production of the School Leaving Certificate and the Birth Certificate. The minimum duration of stay to be eligible for membership is two years. Charges for Life membership is Rs. 3000/=.

The Executive Committee for the years 2002-2004

President - Mrs. N. K. Pilapitiya

Advisory Committee - Mrs. Padma Soysa, Mrs. Grizilda Wijewardene, Mrs. Samanthi Suraweera, Mrs. Indrani Caldera.

Vice Presidents - Buddheni Gunasekera, Lanka Panditaratne, Indrani Weeratunge

Joint Secretaries - Savitri Perera, Sayuri Perera

Assistant Joint Sec.- Lalitha Fernando, Lalitha Epa

Joint Treasurers - Sherine Amarasekera, Deepika Pathirana

Assistant Joint Treasurers - Shakila Pedris, Ranmalni Mathew

Auditor - Damayanthi Kotalawela

Committee - Visakha Tillekeratne, Indra Nilaweera, Ramya Mathew, Pamela De Silva, Sheron Weerasinghe, Jayaranjani Gannoruwa, Amadini Perera, Vajira Rajapakse, Nirupa Fernando, Chitangani Ratnayaka, Samantha Amarasena, Rukmani Gunasekera, Amara Kumarage, Sunari Dandeniya, Manori Hewawasam, Nadi De Silva, Shandina Fernado, Tamara Nanayakkara, Trincy De Silva,. Premila Caldera.

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