The 1C Boys at RPS

In the Beginning

January 1, 1953. Thirty three smartly clad young boys, in white shirts and shorts,  strode into the English Medium 1C classroom that was managed by Ms Croning at Royal Primary School in Colombo. Some were accompanied by their parents, a few grandparents were seen too, while others had a nanny or ayah who came along to ensure that the lads will settle down comfortably on their first day of primary school. Mixed emotions prevailed among the lads. Some clung on to their guardians while others, sheepishly, settled down into their colorful wooden chairs inside the class.

There were Muslim, Burgher, Sinhalese and Tamil boys among the gang. The majority were Burghers, followed by the Muslims, since it was the English Medium stream, and these two communities, especially living in Colombo, preferred the English stream for their kids.

2C, the next year was managed by Ms Perera, 3C by Ms Dissanaike, 4C by Mr Pinkamage, 5C by Mr ABC David, and 6C by Mr Justin E de Silva. Other teachers who took various other subjects are Ms Nicholas (Music), Mr Piyasena (Sinhala), Mr HW Jayawardene (Deputy Headmaster) and Mr AF de Saa Bandaranaike (Headmaster).

The boys were divided into four houses, Bradby, Perera, Reed & Sampson and participated in all school events under these banners and colors. Cricket was the most favored sport while Athletics was also popular, especially when it came to the annual Sports Meet in December of each year.

 

The 1C Gang 1953 (English Medium)

ANTHONISZ, Alwyn J.	LIEVERSZ, N. Brian L *.
AZIEZ, Shirzard T. *	MOHIDEEN, Irfan Shibly *
BAHAR, Shah Jehan *	PERERA, Jeremy *
CANAGASABEY, Nihal *	SALEEM, Mohamed
CASSIM, Muhammad  Monty *	SAMEER, M Fazli H. *
CHAPMAN, Maurice *	SHERIFF, Muhammad Arooz *
CHITTY, Suren *	SOLOMONS, William Boyd *
DE KRETSER, A. Nigel F. *	STORK, Phillip
EBERT, Fredrick Allan *	VANDERWALL, Rodney E.
ERNST, Cedric *	WALPOLA, Don V. Anthony *
FAZLEALI, Mazher *	WILLIS, Aubrey
FERNANDO, Bryce *
FOENANDER, Eardley *
GRENIER, Dallas
GUNEWARDENE, R. S. Ramlal *
GURUSWAMY, Arthur Premasiri
HASHIM, Mohamed *
HUSSAIN, Jezley
IQBAL, M.N.M.
JAFFER, Imthiaz A, Dr. *
KOCH, Graham E Cecil *
KOCH, Wilhelm *
*Moved to Royal College in 1959