- Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy
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Coordinates: 7°17′11.7774″N 80°38′42.558″E / 7.286604833°N 80.645155°E
Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy Location Kandy
Sri Lanka
Information Type Public Motto Vijja Uppaththang Setta
Pali - "Knowledge is Supreme"
(Buddhist quote from the Dhammapada)Established 14th of January, 1932 Staff 185 Grades Classes 1 - 13 Gender Girls Age 6 to 18 Enrollment 5000 Pupils Mayans Colour(s) Navy & Gold Website www.mahamaya.lk Located in the heart of the City of Kandy overlooking the Kandy Lake, Mahamaya Girls’ College is one of Sri Lanka's finest public Buddhist girls' schools. The school is named after Queen Mahamaya, the mother of the Lord Buddha.
Contents
Location
This school is regarded as one of the most prominent Buddhist Girls' Colleges in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Kandy, which is the capital of the Central province. The school faces the Kandy lake and is quite close to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
History
Mahamaya Girl’s College Kandy was founded in 1932 by the Sadhachara Kulangana Samithiya. The first classroom was in the West Cliffe Bungalow which was bought from Anagarika Dharmapala together with 2.5 acres of land adjoining the property which belonged to Mr. Arthur Fernando. National leaders like Anagarika Dharmapala, D.B. Jayatilaka, P. de S. Kularatna, G.P. Malalasekare and C.W.W. Kannangare also contributed to the college.
Chronology of notable events
- 14 January 1932 - Mahamaya Girls' College was founded under the name "Buddhist Girls' College" with sixteen registered students.
- 1938 - Officially renamed as Mahamaya Girls' College.
- December 1960 - Mahamaya was taken over for State Administration.
- 1982 - Mahamaya received the National School status.
- 1990 - The school auditorium was completed.
- 2000 - The swimming pool was completed.
තථද
The College Today
There are about 5000 students, 185 female teachers and 15 male teachers. Therevada Buddhism has largely been an integral part of the school's education system, as it is in all Sri Lankan Buddhist public schools. Students are divided among four houses. The housing system is primarily used for sporting events. The houses are Maya, Prajapathi, Sangamittha and Yashodara.
Education
Mahamaya Girls' College is divided into two sections - the primary section and the secondary school section. The primary school which consists of grades 1 through 5 is located near the secondary school. The primary school also looks over the Kandy Lake. The secondary school consists of grades 6 through 13. Each grade has about five or six classes, and each class consists of fifty to sixty students.
The school has a very strong education system and has excellent facilities for science, commerce, mathematics, languages and biology A/L schemes. The school consistently produces nationally high-ranking students, evidenced by the all-island positions received by students who sit for the national Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations. It has been ranked in the top three over the years among all the girls' schools in Sri Lanka in the preference rankings based on year 5 scholarship examinees' demand.
Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has a number of nationally ranking student-athletes, who are involved in sports ranging from track and field to swimming. In addition to partaking in many national sporting events, the school holds an annual sports-meet, which is an intra-school competition.
The school has a Western music band, an Eastern music band, a Western music choir and a traditional Sri Lankan dance team. The award-winning Literary, Music and Drama Society of the school constantly partakes in national drama competitions. It is important to note that the first Observational Astronomy Competition in South Asia was organized by the Astronomical Society of Mahamaya Girls’ College together with the Anandian Astronomical Association of Ananda College, Colombo.
Apart from achieving academic excellence, the school records all round achievements in sports, aesthetic studies, environmental activities and many other fields.
Sports
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Chess
- Cricket
- Gymnastics
- Karate
- Volleyball
- Netball
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
Clubs and Societies
- Buddhist Association
- Astronomical Society
- Western Band
- Cadets Troop
- Science Society
- Debaters' Council
- nature club
- Film and Video Unit
- English Literary Association
- English Medium Unit
- Interact Club
- Media Unit
- Photographic Association
- Red Cross Society
- St. John's Ambulance Service Society
- pen champz
- Comenius International Teleworking project
- Girl Guiding Group
- Sinhala Literary Association
- Eastern Band
- Young Inventor's Society
- The Islamic Society
Facilities
Mahamaya Girls' College is equipped with some of the best facilities available to Sri Lankan students.
Facilities at Mahamaya consist of -
- Auditorium
- Swimming pool
- Open College Play-ground
- School Gymnasium
- Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories
- Hostel
- Archives
- Recreational Art facilities (Eastern & Western Music, Dancing, Art)
- Eateries
Code of Conduct and Uniform
The school expects and encourages students to follow traditional Sinhalese and Buddhist values. The school uniform consists of a single piece white frock that should not be shorter than knee length. The dress has a square-neck, a belt that runs around the waist and a pleated skirt. A blue buckle must be worn on the belt, which is the trademark of the school. One or two white ribbon bows are worn in the student's hair.
The School Song and Flag
The school flag, crest and the school song in Sinhala were introduced during the tenure of Ms. Soma Pujitha Gunewardena as Principal. The first school song in English was introduced by Principal Mrs. Bertha Rogers Ratwatte.
The English Version
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- We are filled and thrilled with joyousness from morn till eve each day
- We Tread the path of holiness the ancient Aryan way
- We love our school which leads the isle to health, wealth and peace
- We worship thee O Sakyan Queen upon our bended knees
- As years roll on well serve the Mahamaya mother dear
- As alma mater you will always be without a peer
- With Dhana Seela Bhawana we’ll vanquish every tear
- We’ll teach the daughters of Lanka to live without a fear
- A new age now has dawned upon our ancient Lanka’s isle
- As in king Ashoka’s golden age we are now free from guile
- Awake arise oh womanhood of every Buddhist land
- Be always true to our glorious Dhamma such is truth’s command
Houses
The students are divided into four Houses:
- – Maya
- – Prajapathi
- – Yashodhara
- – Sanghamittha
The house names are derived from Buddhist history . The houses compete annually in all major games to win the respective inter-house games and competitions.
Past Principals
Name Entered Office Departed Office External links
Categories:- National schools in Sri Lanka
- Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka
- Schools in Kandy
- Girls' schools in Sri Lanka
- Educational institutions established in 1932
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