HONY. SECRETARY’S REPORT 2004/2005

I consider it my privilege . along with Fazna Farook , to present the Secretary’s Report for the year 2004-2005 during which 12 monthly meetings were held with good attendance.

We are happy to report that the PPA Motor Rally held on September 25th 2004 headed by Ex-co Members Prashanthi Mallawarchchi and Minal Ranatunga and ably assisted by Yasmin Akbarally and the Members of the PPA was a great success. We thank them for their hard work and enthusiasm. We hope there would be more participation at our next Motor Rally which is scheduled for Saturday 24th September 2005. Those of you who are interested may sign in at the Motor Rally Desk .

This was followed by The Christmas Fellowship Dinner held on Monday 29th November and the Auditorium Foyer. Headed by Michele Wickramasekera and Lorinda Fernando.

Our activities for 2005 began by setting up the Tsunami Relief Fund.
At BC two girls were affected by this catastrophe. One of them needed assistance and the PPA helped her. Wimalasena our Auditorium care-taker of many years, was also affected. He and his family were lucky enough to escape. Though his home was not destroyed he lost most of his belongings and had to live with friends for sometime. The Ex-co visited him at his friend’s house and assisted him with his immediate needs.
Medicines and sanitary towels were handed over to the American Red Cross at Thelwatte where the train disaster took place, and to the Italian Red Cross at Unawatuna. These were generously donated by PPA Member Tasneem Cadabhoy.
So far we have received Rs.2,500/- in local donations & over 2,500 US Dollars in foreign contributions collected by Farida Kathawala a past pupil in USA.
We hope to assist an affected School and help an Orphanage if we have the necessary funds.

Membership Drive for A /Level school leavers

The PPA organized a successful Membership Drive in the School on the 28th of January 2005. This was attended by 61 A/Level students who will be leaving school this year after their examinations. Past President Ramola Sivasundaram addressed the students. She spoke of the objectives of the PPA, the supportive role the PPA played in assisting the school in an advisory capacity and the value of enrolling as a member. She also emphasised that the PPA expects active participation of all its members. Past President Indrani Dias also addressed the students. Vice President Mazeena Lukmanjee took up the aspect of appointing Class Representatives who would liaise with classmates. There were many volunteers. Membership Co-ordinator Anne Coorey, explained the procedure of receiving membership cards, and collected the life membership fees from 51 students. She also stressed that it was important to keep her informed of changes in names and addresses , so that the PPA data-base could be kept updated.

Workshops for BC Teachers

During the course of the year 4 Workshops were conducted with various groups of teachers. A very valuable and frank atmosphere prevailed throughout. The final was on the 6th of May 2005. We have already shared with the Principal the outcome of these and will commence compiling a Hand Book of Customs and Traditions upheld at Bishop’s College. This will initially be given to all students and then to every new entrant so they and their parents will be aware of what makes Bishop’s College unique. The Chairperson of this Project is Mrs. Kamini de Soysa who will be assisted by the School , the PTA and the PPA.
A big thank you to the dynamic team – Kamanee Samuel , Harini Amarasuriya , Ex-co Members Zahara Maruzook & Sunjeevani Kotakadeniya for their expertise & commitment towards conducting these Workshops.

The 50th Official Sports Meet on our own Grounds

At the request of the Principal Mrs. Hemamalie Bibile the PPA formed a sub-committee and met with the Sports Committee of the school on an advisory basis, on several occasions. As past pupils we were able to impart knowledge and help to resurrect some of the traditions that seemed to have been left out during the past few years. One such tradition was the mandatory wearing of coloured bands to signify which house the athlete belonged to. As this was a milestone year, since the Ground was filled and the tracks demarcated in 1955 and the first Sports Meet held , the school decided to felicitate past Games Captains with a commemorative plaque, with each name and year individually engraved on it. We were happy to note that 27 of the 30 Games Captains domiciled in the island, eagerly accepted the invitation, and attended. The Chief Guest was a Games Captain of yesteryear Mrs. Lakshmi Wickramasinghe.

Members of our Community Service Project ‘Chit Chat’ visited past pupils and teachers throughout the year. An Emergency Fund has been set up to assist deserving Bishopians , whether they are Teachers, Past Pupils or Students of the School. All monies received for named beneficiaries have already been handed over to them

Library Project

We wish to inform you that Collecting books and Magazines for the BC Library is an on going programme. We have had a tremendous response from the Membership and do hope you would continue with your generous contributions even in the future.

We are happy to report that the PPA contributed Rupees 500,000/- towards renovating the KG Toilets. This was an urgent need of the young children in the Kindergarten.
The PPA has also pledged Rupees one million for the construction of 15 Class rooms along the Red Corridor. We are happy to hear that the School will be able to commence on this project in the near future.

‘Stay Tuned’ – The Musical by the BC Choir - directed by Ruanie Siemen was held on the 10th & 11th of June at the Bishop’s College Auditorium . This was a tremendous success. On the invitation of the Principal the PPA was represented by Asma Jeevunjee, Ramola Sivasundaram and Shyama Perera.

The recommencement of the Hockey Encounter between Ladies’ College and Bishop’s College took place at the Astro Turf , Reid Avenue on 18th June 2005. The Chief Guest was Mrs. Hemamalie Bibile. A number of past pupils were there to support the school .

A scholarship has been offered through the PPA by Mrs. Seema Omar for a deserving A/L student who would like to embark on further studies. This will cover all costs related to the course of studies the student undertakes and will be for the entire duration of the course. We have informed the Principal of this and await names of deserving candidates from the school. Mrs. Sunjeevani Kotakadeniya is Chairperson of this.

We are happy to announce that Bishop’s College has twinned up with St. Michael Church of England Primary School in Leeds. Head Teacher Mr. Mark Edwards and other representatives of the Primary School were met by the President & some Senior Members of the PPA in Colombo, on the invitation of the Principal Mrs. Hemamalie Bibile.

The recipient of the Bishop’s College Gold Medal awarded by the PPA for the year 2004 is Harshini Dissanayake.

Two News Letters were sent out during the year and PPA News continued to be featured in the Bishop’s College Website. We convey our sincere thanks to President Asma Jeevunjee , Immediate Past President Indrani Dias , Ann Anthonis , Kamini de Soysa , Ramola Sivasundaram and Roshan Wijesinghe for their advise and guidance readily given with the News Letter. Hasnah Mohideen for her willingness at all times. A big thank you to the Ex-co for obliging to do the posting. The Membership is requested to keep us informed of changes in addresses.

The PPA of UK & Canada have continue to keep us informed of activities taking place in their respective Associations. Both their dances were successful.
In concluding this report I wish to thank the Principal and the School Authorities , The Manager of the Auditorium Mr. Nelson Rajaih and Enakshi Wethasinghe and the Minor Staff for their valued support and co-operation and a special thank you for all those in the general membership who come forward voluntarily to help us in our activities.

Sunella Dissanayeke
Jt. Secretary 2005/2007
Bishop’s College Past Pupils’ Association