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AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST.

History

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history”; And as far as we know, the course of history was altered; and we were born, the eminent Saiva Mangaiyar!

REMEMBERING OUR ARCHITECTS

MRS. R. Sathasivam

MRS. S. Nallainathan

MRS. B. Namasivayam

Founded

  • Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam was founded in Sept. 1932. The school commenced its sessions with only seven pupils on roll with Mrs. Sivanandam Tambiyah as its first manager and Mrs. Sornacanthy Nallainathan as its first headmistress.

Teachers

  • Ms. Jeganayaki Ponniah, Ms. Leela Ponniah and Mrs. Padmavathi Nagaretnam who were on the Kalagam Committee served as honorary teachers.

First principal

  • In 1935, the Vidyalayam was qualified to receive grant and became a Grant in Aid Education. In 1936, Ms. Kasippillai was appointed as the first principal of the Vidyalayam who guided the destiny of the school for the period of 33 years.

In 1939 - Shrine room

  • In 1939, a Shrine room was built by a founder member Mrs.Chelliah and to this day, morning and evening poojas and prayers are held by the Vidyalayam and hostel children in this shrine room.

Vice principal

  • Mrs. Ratnathicam, an able administrator was appointed as vice principal in 1940.

The first Prize Day

  • The first Prize Day of the school was also held in the same year with Mr. C.W.W. Kannangara, The then Director of Education and Mrs. Kannangara as chief guests.

Free education

  • In 1945, free education was introduced and the Vidyalayam joined the free education scheme.

GCE O/L

  • GCE O/L classes were started with a few students in 1946.

Madam Maria Montessori

  • In early 1950s, Madam Maria Montessori herself visited the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam and inaugurated the Mangaiyar Maria Montessori.

Foundation stone

  • In 1950, the foundation stone for the three storeyed building was laid by Adigar Sellamuttu and Mrs. Sellamuttu and ceremoniously opened in 1952.

Position of a Grade 1

  • The then principal Ms. N. Kasippillai worked selflessly with much efficiency. Her Hardwork paid her off as the school was elevated to the position of a Grade 1 school in 1956.

Decline in the number of the students

  • Due to the ethnic conflict in 1952, there was an immense decline in the number of students.

Prayer hall named Sivananda Nilayam

  • In 1960, a prayer hall named Sivananda Nilayam which is the centre for daily prayers and religious and cultural activities was donated by the patron Mrs. Sivanandam Thambiah and was ceremoniously opened in Sept. 1960.

1960 was a crucial year

  • The year 1960 was a crucial year for the school due to the nationalization of schools when the Education Department decided to take over all denominational schools. The consequent withdrawal of the grant was a serious setback to the institution but the Kalagam carried on its noble task in spite of continued financial constraints.

Hostel

  • A hostel which was in existence for some time was closed down and re-opened in 1972 with few students. It was the fulfillment of a long felt need providing accommodation for the Vidyalayam students.

Kasippilai’s retirement

  • After Ms. Kasippilai’s retirement, the successive principals also worked tirelessly for the development of the Vidyalayam.

English Day

  • From 1978, sports meet and English Day were held annually. Elocution teachers were appointed with a view to enhance the quality of teaching English language and a few public performances were staged.

Diamond Jubilee

  • In 1982, the Vidyalayam celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and a Diamond Jubilee souvenir was released to mark the occasion.

Own premises

  •  In 1933, the Hindu Women’s Society was able to acquire its own premises at Rudra Mawatha, Colombo 06 and the school was moved there.

Number on roll increased from 600 to 1190

  • The erection of a the new three storeyed building in 1987 & 1989 in memory of the founders was largely to the labours of the president Mrs. Sivanandini Duraiswamy and Mr. Yogendra Duraiswamy eased the problem of accommodating more students to the school. As a result, the number on roll increased from 600 to 1190 within a span of 3 years.

Kalagam Board Room

  • The Kalagam was able to build the Kalagam Board Room in 2013. It was during Mrs.Sivanesan’s tenure that the Middle school building was constructed on land that Kalagam bought.

85th anniversary

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Former Principals

Miss. M. Kasipillai

Miss. M. Kassipillai
1936 – 1969

Miss. Y. Kanagasabai

Miss. Y. Kanagasabai
1970 – 1972

Mrs. I. Pathmanathan

Mrs. I. Pathmanathan
1973 – 1975

Miss. M. Arumugam

Miss. M. Arumugam
1975 – 1991

Mrs. G. Balachandran

Mrs. G. Balachandran
1992 – 2004

Mrs. P. Gajendradas

Mrs. G. Balachandran
1992 – 2004

Mrs. S.Sivanesan

Mrs. S.Sivanesan
2012 – 2015

Miss.S.Veluppillai

Miss.S.Veluppillai
2015 – 2017

Mrs.T.Balasingam

Mrs.T.Balasingam
2017 – 2018

Former Vice Principals

Mrs. S. C. Ratnathicam

Mrs. S. C. Ratnathicam
1940 – 1969

Mrs. I. Pathmanathan

Mrs. I. Pathmanathan
1970 – 1972

Mrs. B. Sithamparanathan

Mrs. B. Sithamparanathan
1973 – 1976

Mrs. G. Balachandran

Mrs. G. Balachandran
1976 – 1991

Mrs. P. Gajendradas

Mrs. P. Gajendradas
1992 – 2004

Mrs. S. Thirunavukarasu

Mrs. S. Thirunavukarasu
1994- 2011

Mrs. I. Manoharan

Mrs. I. Manoharan
2004-2010

Mrs. V. Ganeshan

Mrs. V. Ganeshan
2007-2016

Miss.S.Sivasubramaniam

Miss.S.Sivasubramaniam
2010-2018

Ms.C Pathmanathan

Ms.C Pathmanathan
2017

Mrs.Rasamany Sadagoban

Mrs.Rasamany Sadagoban
2017