Ferguson High School - Ratnapura

Ferguson High School is a school founded by the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) as
Missionaries from England, way back in 1917. It’s a school with a history – a school that continues to exate history. Down the year the school has successfully provided a wholesome education to girls and produced ‘good women’ to the country. The journey to reach its goals has not been smooth all the way. Overcoming the various challenges, weathering the storms that would have otherwise had adverse effect, has seen the school emerge richer, stronger and standing tall. The love, care, and concern experienced by every student, the good manners, the discipline and the values instilled into way life that walked through its portals have created strong bonds that would last a life time. Thus, friends for life.

In the early days all that was expected of a girls school was to transfer the child that is placed in this care, into a good cultured woman. But today we live in a complex competitive world. Be its academic, athletic, sports, aesthetic, …….. its all a competition from the word go. To win this competition!! Yes! Ferguson prepares you. Well done. As a result, today it has successfully produced women above par. Obedient, loving, loveable daughters, loving, caring loveable sisters, honourable, adorable, respectful wives, honest, efficient, duty conscious employers and employees and above all respectful citizens of very high calibre. This is how we identify a Fergusonite – anywhere. Today we find that these Fergusonites of such high calibre are spread all over the country as duty demands. As that remember the school that furnished all aspects of their lives, their desire to stay connected to their school and their school day friends. This necessity facilitated the formation of the F. H. S. – P.P.A. The school records the existence of a P. P. A. formative early in terms – but it is presumed that it had a natural demise.
The F. H. S. – P. P. A. was refreshed and renewed in the 1960’s after the take-over of schools by the Government and Miss Pearl Perera as the first local Principal. This is the P. P. A. that still exists and continuous to be of support. With the Fergusonites qualifying in variety of fields and obtaining high positions in the country and positioned mostly in and around the Major cities away from Ratnapura – mostly in and around Colombo. They decided to meet as Fergusonites. This idea was conveyed at the A.G.M. – P.A.A Ratnapura – was discussed – officially grant permission to form a Branch Association in Colombo. Miss Pearl Perera and Miss Malini Perera were given the task of establishing it. It was a much needed, welcome offer. This took effect almost immediately and within weeks – seven friends who could be contacted meet in a friend’s house and gave birth to the F.H.S – P. P. A. – Colombo Branch. This truly has been a wonderful experience giving us occasion to help the school, individual students, past teachers, and of course enjoy ourselves – being provided with opportunity to be grateful to our Alma Mater. Every committee has done their best and has provided themselves worthy of honour and fame. The joy we share in meeting is the biggest contribution. While helping the school in its uphill journey in ways within their limits sometimes reaching beyond the comfort zone, the committee this year has launched out another First. Yes! It is the First Dinner Dance of the Ferguson P.P.A. Colombo Branch. So much happening – ! so much excitement in anticipation. Having entered the petals of this institution as a little girl in 1947, I’ve had the fortune of having spent my formative years under the influence, guidance, discipline, teaching of the English missionary ladies – in the calibre of Miss E. A. Allsop and F. A. Brook. Hostel life was an experience by itself – so much similar to what we read in the English school girl story books.

To have witnessed and experienced the smooth transition of Ferguson being an English Medium School Managed by the Baptist Missionary Society Ladies from England to learn a Sinhala Medium Government School speaks louder today than it did in the 1960’s. Bidding farewell to the Missionary Principals left a mark too difficult to erase. However, Ferguson has been built on firm foundation that no one or anything can destroy – high ideals – high standards, Fergusonite live up to its motto “Live pure, Speak True; Right wrong” and has always proven that the words of the school song is portrayed by every child, A place of high ideals, where the bright keen students will work with great zeal – stay loyal to duty – goodness and beauty. All this happened in the same way through the transition – transition from the ink-well and G. Nib writing in the classroom on – line learning – Blackboard and chalk to computer – from the real to the virtual — all this has been strong on the mind and body. Somehow, Fergusion has received the changes so well. Thanks to the truly dedicated services of the Principal and teachers for facilitating the changes while upholding tradition and maintaining standards and enabling students to move ahead into the modern world. The extent by which the school has expanded and achieved is cause to celebrate. The numbers increasing from less than 1000 in the last 1960’s to over 4500 today speaks volume. Many more buildings adorn the hill. Yet, maintaining quality and style. Beautiful it is – Neat – Tidy – Clean – A pleasant environment. I wish to congratulate the enthusiastic, energetic, loyalty committed, spirited committee of the F. H. S. – P. P. A. Colombo Branch for the hard work they put in to the sacrifices they make in working towards fulfilling their high ideals. It is proven in the variety of programs you carry out to benefit the school, the student, the teachers and you. Your ideas, your planning strategy, capacity to interact and stay alert, sharing responsibility, time management tapping resources and the vision of success is truly admirable. Working with you has reduced the gap between years. I must admits and thank you for what I enjoyed. I do share this excitement with you.

It is with great humility and gratitude that I remember and thank every person that has contributed to make Ferguson what its is today. I personally feel honoured to be asked to write this message and feel happy and proud to be here in person as you launch this website page —– which will make Ferguson go global from today.
Go – Ferguson – Go – Go – waving your colours green – Hopeful and bright and keen – Loyal to Duty, Goodness and Beauty ……..On ……… On ……. To victory’s goal

Mrs.Malini Perera