Interact Club

Introduction

Interact is a global movement that develops constructive leadership and personal integrity of young individuals. The Interact Club of Bishop’s College provides

opportunities to broaden one’s knowledge and awareness of local and international affairs while emphasizing the importance of serving the community.

Short description (vision/mission)

Since its inception in 1980 the Interact Club of Bishop’s College, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Colombo, has celebrated 41 years of ‘Service above Self’. The Interact Club of Bishop’s College takes pride in organizing projects such as Abstract, Globetrotter, Masterminds, Ottrumai and Band Heroes, which have helped in the learning of various skills and the producing of better citizens of society. Taking a rather different approach, the slogan chosen for this year is “සවි දෑත පෙර මඟට.” The Interact movement connects people together. This slogan revolves around this very idea of togetherness, and unity that allows us to work towards a common purpose. The goal this year is focused on helping others and helping the world with a sense of unity that will always ensure better results.

Vision

The club aims to enhance human well-being while working towards initiating the formation of a society in which vulnerable people and those in need of help are consistently supported and cared for.

Mission

The club is constantly engaged in new and innovative ways of uplifting our society. Our primary focus is on creating a long lasting positive impact on numerous aspects of all communities as well as to provide a platform for the vulnerable. We embody the significance of any act of selflessness and kindness and the pivotal role played by compassion.

Names of Office bearers & Teachers-in-Charge (President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer) No Committee

Office Bearers

President: Int. Senara Adikaram

Secretary: Int. Ananya Perera

Vice President: Int. Shamara de Silva

Treasurer: Int. Waheedah Mohamed

Assistant Secretary: Int. Inuli Seneviratne

Board of Directresses

Club Service: Int. Sarah Hashim

Editors: Int. Tisari Vidanagamage

Int. Senuthi Mahadevan

Community Service: Int. Naiara Fernando

Finance: Int. Savitha Krishnakumar

International Understanding: Int. Natasha Ranawake

Teachers-in-Charge

Mrs. Rajitha Kulasekera

Mrs. Zainab Barry

Mrs. Anjana Fernando

Ms. Ajani Ranwala

History of the Club

When/Why it was formed (Sources -School History book, Magazine)

The Interact Club was inaugurated in Bishop’s College in February 1980, by the Rotary President of Colombo, Mr. G.S.Chatoor and the Chairman of Youth Services. Mr. Yusuf Jeevanjee, both who created much interest in the students. The Club activities at the time were a blend of social service, self help and the promotion of local and global awareness. The various programmes that were conducted included the payment of tuition fees from club funds for students in need, ‘debugging’ chairs in the library and staff room and collecting waste paper for recycling.

The following are the Events/ Projects that have been conducted in the past few years.

2000/2001

The Club donated an artificial limb to a war veteran.
‘Abstract’, a community service project organized jointly with the Interact

Club of Royal College was held for the first time.

2001/2002

‘Abstract 2002’ was organized for the 2nd consecutive year by the Interact Clubs of Royal College and Bishop’s College.

2002/2003

‘Phenomena’ a show of song, drama and dance was organized and was held in the school auditorium.
‘Abstract 2003’ was jointly organized with the Interact Club of Royal College for the 3rd consecutive year.

2003/2004

‘Carousal’, an entertainment event was organized and the proceeds were donated in aid of children suffering from Down’s Syndrome.

‘Abstract 2004’ was organized for the 4th consecutive year along with the Interact Club of Royal College.

2004/2005

‘Abstract 2005’ was organized for the 5th consecutive year jointly with the Interact Club of Royal College.

2005/2006

The 25th Annual Installation ceremony was held in August 2005.
The annual ‘White Elephant Stall’ was held for the minor staff of the school.
The club collected and sold second hand garments and jewelry which could be purchased by the minor staff.
The annual quiz competition ‘Masterminds 2006’ was organized under the Avenue of International Understanding.

‘Abstract 2006’ an annual joint project with the Interact club of Royal College was organized for the 6th consecutive year.

The 16th Interact District Assembly was hosted by the Interact Club of Bishop’s College, jointly with the Interact District 3220 and the Interact Clubs of Visakha Vidhyalaya and St. Peter’s College.

2006/2007

The 26th Annual Installation ceremony was held in September 2006.
‘Globetrotter’ was jointly organized by the Interact clubs of Bishop’s

College and the Interact club of St. Joseph’s College.

‘Abstract 2007’ was organized, jointly, with the Interact club of Royal

College.

‘Masterminds 2007’ was held.

2007/2008

The 27th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in August 2007.
‘White Elephant Stall’, a sale of second hand garments and jewelry sold to the service staff of Bishop’s College was held in July 2007.
‘IU Music Fest’, a music festival based on International Understanding was organized and hosted in October 2007. The project allowed the Interactors to showcase their hidden talents and present colorful performances promoting the wonders of world culture.
‘Abstract 2008’ was organized for the 8th consecutive year, jointly with the

Interact Club of Royal College.

The joint project done with the Interact Club of St. Joseph’s College, ‘Globetrotter’, was held in April 2008.
‘Masterminds’, the annual quiz competition was held in June 2008.

2008/2009

The 28th Annual Installation ceremony was held in July 2008.
The annual ‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in September 2008.
‘IU Music Fest’, was held in September 2008 for the 2nd consecutive year.
‘Masterminds’ the annual quiz competition was held in February under the theme “Train the Brain”.

‘Abstract 2009’, the annual community service project jointly organized by the Interact Clubs of Bishop’s College and Royal College, was held under the theme “ABSTRACT presents the past”.
‘Globetrotter 2009’ an International Understanding project, jointly organized with the Interact club of St. Joseph’s College, was done under the theme “Global Rendezvous.”

2009/2010

The 29th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2009.
The annual ‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in September 2009.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held for the 3rd consecutive year in October 2009.
The Interact Club of Bishop’s College along with the Interact Club of Royal College organized ‘Abstract 2010’, under the theme “Abstract in Sanity”.
‘Globetrotter 2010’, “The Universal Revelation”, was jointly organized with the Interact club of St. Joseph’s College for the 5th consecutive year.
‘Masterminds’ the unique quiz competition held annually, was held in May 2010.

2010/2011

The 30th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2010.
‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in September 2010.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held in December, for the 4th consecutive year.
‘Abstract 2011’ was organized jointly with the Interact Club of Royal College. The theme for this year was “Abstract saves the day.”

‘Globetrotter 2011’ was organized by the Interact Clubs of Bishop’s College and St. Joseph’s College, under the theme “Search, Explore and Unravel”.

The annual quiz competition, ‘Masterminds’ was held in June 2011, under the theme “Get smart”.

2011/2012

The 31st Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2011.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held in September for the 5th consecutive year.
‘Band Heroes 2012’, a school based finance project, was held in March 2012. This project was jointly organized by the Interact Club and

Parents Teachers Association of Bishop’s College in order to raise funds for the betterment of the school’s transport facilities.

‘Abstract 2012’ was held for the 12th consecutive year, together with the Interact Club of Royal College.

‘Globetrotter 2012’ was organized jointly with Interact Club of St. Joseph’s College under the theme “Spread your roots and you know your neighbor”.

‘Masterminds’ was held in June 2012, under the theme “Masterminds goes Private Eye”.
‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in June 2012.

2012/2013

The 32nd Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2012.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held as a mini concert with tickets being sold to students who were interested in watching.

‘Ottrumai’ , a community service project, was introduced.
‘Abstract 2013’, was organized for the 13th consecutive year with the Interact Club of Royal College.
‘Globetrotter’ was held in May 2013, along with the Interact Club of St. Joseph’s College, under the theme “Along Longitudes and Latitudes”.

Masterminds was held in May 2013, under the theme “Spies Unleashed”.
‘White Elephant Stall’ was held.

2013/2014

The 33rd Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2013.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held.

‘Masterminds 2014’ was held in May 2014, under the theme “World War 3”.

‘Band Heroes 2014’ was organized jointly with the Parents Teachers

Association of the school, in March 2014.

‘Abstract 2014’ was held for the 14th consecutive year, along with the Interact Club of Royal College, in June 2014.

‘Globetrotter- The Festival Project’ was organized for the 9th consecutive year by the Interact Clubs of Bishop’s College and St. Joseph’s College.
‘White Elephant Stall’ an annual community service project was held.

2014/2015

The 34th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2014.
‘IU Music Fest’ was held in October 2014.
‘Abstract 2015’, the joint project with the Interact Club of Royal College, was held in June for the 15th consecutive year under the theme “A Magical Escape”.

‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in May.
‘Globetrotter’ was organized jointly with the Interact Club of St. Joseph’s

College. The theme for the year was “Beyond the Borders Known.”

2015/2016

The 35th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2015.
The Club organized a silent auction, ‘Bid for Lives” where students and Teachers were given an opportunity to bid using dry rations instead of money in exchange for various arts and crafts.

‘Masterminds 2015’ was organized under the theme “Leave no stone unturned”.

‘Band Heroes 2016’ was organized along with the Parents Teachers Association.

‘White Elephant Stall’ was carried out in May 2016.
‘Abstract 2016’ was organized with the Interact Club of Royal College.
‘Globetrotter’ took place in May of 2016 with the Interact Club of St. Joseph’s College.

2016/2017

The 36th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2016.
‘Globetrotter’, organized by the Interact Clubs of Bishop’s College and St.

Joseph’s College, was held under the theme “Mapping Beyond the Baselines”.

‘White Elephant Stall’ was held.
‘Abstract 2017’, organized with the Interact Club of Royal College, was held under the theme “Happily Ever After”.

2017/2018

The 37th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in September 2017.
‘Masterminds’ the annual quiz competition, organized under the avenue of International Understanding, was held in October 2017 under the theme “Alert today. Alive tomorrow”.
‘Bid for Lives’ was held.
‘Band Heroes 2018’ was jointly organized with the Parents Teachers Association of Bishop’s College. The theme for this year was “Sign of the Times’.

‘IU Music Fest’ was held in March.
‘Abstract 2018’ was held under the theme “Around the World”.

2018/2019

The 38th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in November.

‘White Elephant Stall’ was held in September 2018.
‘Masterminds’ was held in November 2018.
‘Bid for Lives’ was organized and held in March 2019.
‘Ottrumai’ a community service project was held in June 2019.
‘Abstract 2019’, organized jointly with the Interact Club of Royal College, was held in June 2019 under the theme “Signature to an Autograph”.

2019/2020

The 39th Annual Installation Ceremony was held in October 2019.
‘Masterminds’ was held in October 2019.
‘Bid for Lives’ a community service project was held in February 2020.

Notable Achievements

2011

Interact District level

Rotary Presidential Citation
Best Club
Best President - Int. Gayani Hurulle
Best Interactor - Int. Aqeela Fowzie

Rotary Club of Colombo

LEAD 2010 - 1st Place - Service Projects Competition

Interact District 3220

1st Runners Up - Overall Performance
The club emerged as one of the most outstanding clubs in the Interact District 3220 at the 21st Interact District Assembly. The club was also recognized by Rotary International as one of the best clubs for the years 2010/2011.

2012

Merit Award for Best Finance Project - Band Heroes
Merit Award for Best International Understanding Project - Globetrotter
Best President - Int. Mariam Omar
Best Interactor - Int. Nichola Abeywardene

Int. Sakeena Razick

Best Club
The club was also recognized by Rotary International as one of the best clubs for the years 2012/2013.

2013

Merit Award for Best Community Service Project - Ottrumai
Merit Award for Best International Understanding Project - Masterminds
Merit Award for Best Annual Report
Citation for the Best Club
Spirit of Interact Award
Citation for the Best International Understanding Project - Globetrotter
Citation for Best Interactor - Int. Ayshcharya Pinto
Citation for Best President - Int. Dhanushka Kadawatharatchie
The club was also recognized by Rotary International as one of the best clubs for the years 2012/2013

2014

Rotary International Presidential Citation
Citation for Best Club
Merit Award for Best Annual Report
Citation for Best Interactor - Int. Nadia Azmy
Merit Award for Best Bulletin Article - Int. Mehak Sangani
The club received the Gold Award for the Edexcel Community Service project.
The 24th Interact District Conference was organized by the Interact District 3220 along with Bishop’s College and a few other schools from Colombo and Kandy at the NICD auditorium in Kandy under the theme ’people, purpose, passion’- the pathway to change.

2016

Citation for Most Innovative Project - Bid for Lives
Merit Award for Best Financial Project - Band Heroes
Citation for Best Bulletin

2017

Most Outstanding Club Service Project - Project Purple
Most Outstanding Annual Report
Merit Award for Most Outstanding International Understanding Project - Masterminds
Citation Award for Community Service Avenue
Citation Award for Green Life Avenue
Citation Award for International Understanding Avenue
Citation Award for Club Service Avenue

2018

Most Outstanding Finance Project - Band Heroes

2019

Spirit of Interact Award

Club Awards

35th Installation

Most Outstanding New Interactors: Int. Uvini Sirisena

Int. Raeeda Faizal

Int. Geerthika Rajan

Int. Sewwandi Perera

Most Service Oriented Interactors: Int. Tashinee Wijerathnam

Int. Radeesha Wanduragala

Int. Nishalya Jayasuriya

Int. Senuri Seneviratne

Int. Ranuli Sahabandu

Int. Hafsa Kamar

Int. Yashera Raddalgoda

Int. Saeeda Razick

Int. Sulakshana Jayasekara

Int. Lugatharani Yogaraja

Int. Diyara Wickramasinghe

Int. Dinali Gunasekare

Most Outstanding Interactor of the;

First Quarter: Int. Ashini Ranasinghe

Second Quarter: Int. Sashini De Silva

Third Quarter: Int. Aanjali Mahinkanda

Fourth Quarter: Int. Shamima Faizal

2015: Gold Medal for Best Interactor: Int. Najma Azmy

36th Installation

Most Outstanding New Interactors: Int. Heshalee Pathirana

Int. Sonakshi Jayamane

Int. Kyasha Boteju

2016: Most Service Oriented Interactors: Int. Ranuli Sahabandu

Int. Senuri Seneviratne

Int. Suada Azmy

Int. Deuni Perera

Int. Anagi Fernando

Int. Praveena Sivakumar

Int. Aneesah Ahmed

Int. Laxmi Wijerathnum

Int. Shahama Shamsudeen

Int. Anya Wickramanayake

Int. Rachel Harold

Int. Raeeda Faizal

Int. Tiasha Fernando

Int. Geerthika Manoharan

2016: Most Outstanding Interactor of the;

First Quarter: Int. Upadhya Dinugalage

Second Quarter: Int. Druvinka Samuel

Third Quarter: Int. Aseni Ariyaratne

Fourth Quarter: Int. Dinali Gunasekara

2016: Gold Medal for Best Interactor: Int. Mehak Sangani

39th Installation

Best New Interactors:Int. Tharanya Thatparan

Int. Ashalee Pathirana

Int. Shukriya Ghouse

Most Service Oriented Interactors: Int. Acksha Roy Samuel

Int. Tisari Vidanagamage

Int. Sarah Hashim

Int. Tiara Ganegama

Int. Natasha Ranawake

Int. Lyara Wickramasinghe

Int. Ruvindee Fernando

Int. Zakiya Ashraff

Int. Ayangee Abeykoon

Int. Christiana Perera

Best Interactor in the;

First Quarter: Int. Kyasha Boteju

Second Quarter: Int. Anya Wickramanayake

Third Quarter: Int. Inuli Seneviratne

Fourth Quarter- Int.Shemaiah Fernando

Best Interactor- Int. Thohara Wijenaike

Past pupils who have been chosen to be apart of the Interact District

- Int.Fareeda Davoodbhoy - District Interact Secretary for the years 1981/1982
- Int. Riguaza Zavahir - District Interact Secretary for the years 1984/ 1985
- Int. Ishi Wickramage - District Interact Secretary for the years 1991/1992

Int. Danushka Kadawatharatchie - District Interact Secretary for the years 2014/2015

Int. Nishalya Jayasuriya - District Interact Secretary for the years 2018/2019
Int. Sashini de Silva - District Interact Treasurer for the years 2018/2019
Int. Heshalee Pathirana - District Interact Secretary for the years 2020/2021

Interact Board Training Seminar Chairperson(IBTS),

Interact Leadership Training Chairperson (ILT) for the

years 2019/2020

Int. Senara Adikaram - Head Zonal Coordinator (Head of all Zones) for the years 2021/2022
Int. Ananya Perera - Zonal Representative (Colombo Zone) for the years 2021/2022