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Highfield of Wesley

Henry Highfield is to Wesley what Thesius is to Greece. His Legend is everywhere. Spurred on by his Missionary zeal and love for humanity collected the money to build the school in its present site. In the new Wesley there was pride in teaching and dignity in learning in an atmosphere of tranquillity and understanding. On leaving school they were able to face the struggles of the wider world with courage and fortitude. I am sure every Wesleyite will remember his photograph in the Assembly Hall above the stage in the centre. He was born in Bengal India, in 1865 and was the son of Rev. George Henry Highfeld, who spent many years on the Indian mission-field. His early education was at Kingswood, England, and he afterwards took the MA. degree at London and Cambridge. He was accepted as a candidate for the ministry, and after training at Richmond near London was sent to Ceylon in 1895. Here he had charge of Wesley College. Colombo, and remained in Ceylon for thirty years. On returning to England he served in the following circuits: Aberystwyth, Marazion, and Cradley Heath. He retired to Pickering in 1936 and to within a few months of his death was actively engaged in the life of the circuit, taking regular preaching appointments and leading a society class. He will always be remembered for his outstanding work in Ceylon. it was under his guidance that the new Wesley College at Colombo was built, at a cost of £15,000, and largely through his unremitting efforts this magnificent structure 'was opened free of debt. He cycled throughout the length and breadth of Ceylon soliciting subscriptions for the enterprise, and actually collected £2500 in this way. He left a lasting impression on the public life of Ceylon. and many of his former pupils came to occupy posts of great administrative responsibility. The first

Governor-General of Ceylon was one of his old students. The Education Officer for Ceylon writes: Like "Arnold of Rugby ", he will ever be remembered as "Highfield of Wesley ".' He excelled as an expository preacher, his intimate knowledge of New Testament Greek enabling him to present ever-fresh aspects of Christian truth. During his retirement he freely placed his knowledge at the disposal of the probationers in the Ryedale area and guided their studies. He exercised a wonderfully helpful ministry in the homes of his people, where he was ever a welcome visitor. He was utterly consecrated to his Lord and counted no sacrifice too great for the extension of the Kingdom. He was most generous in his financial support of the work of God at home and overseas, and never refused a duty he was able to fulfil. He died at Scarborough on 1st February 1955. in the ninetieth year of his life and in the sixtieth of his ministry. A host of friends in England and Ceylon give thanks for his life of service. Henry Highfield is no more but his legend lives on.

REMINISCENCES OF WESLEY IN THE PETTAH
By Henry Highfield
I was one of four young Missionaries who left London in the British India ‘Golconda” for the East in September 1895.Two went on further for India. R.C. Oliver and I were for Ceylon and so left the ship at Colombo in the early hours of a mid-October day, being met by Rev. T. Moscrop and Mr. S. Passmore.
Mr. Passmore was to initiate me into the work of Wesley College and Mr. Moscrop was Chairman of the Colombo
District and a former Principal of Wesley. I lived with him and Mrs. Moscrop until they left to return into the work at home. I was thus exceptionally fortunate in having two such fine and experienced men to guide me at the start.
Besides, this, when Mr. Passmore took me the next day to Wesley I quickly found that I had two other unusually fine and experienced men on the Staff. Charles Peter Dias joined Wesley in its second year (1876) and continued as Head Master until after my departure in
1925. So too did W.E.Mack, the first assistant; and both, but especially Mr. Dias were of the very greatest help, not at the start only but all along and the School should never forget what it owes to them. Of the premises I had a very different opinion and I think from the very first I was resolved that the School must have a better habitation. It was good for Wesley that she had in Dias a genuine Church of England Christian and in Mack a good representative of the Dutch Reformed Faith. I quickly realised that the school believed in itself and was on its toes to spring forward towards the front and in Redlich and Honter we had two who would give any other school a hard tussle for the first place in scholarship.
Before Mr. Passmore took charge, Mr. Hillard venturing boldly had built the one building that had given the School an Assembly Hall in which all could gather together twice a day and so get to feel their corporate existence. This hall too served for the teaching of four large classes – not an ideal state of things. It is true that Hillard was unable to get it paid for but he wisely pledged the future to make good. So when in 1899 Wesleyan Methodism at Home set out to raise a million guineas from a million Methodists and successfully reached the target, as we would call it, the resolve in my heart on the first day of my seeing the school was
confirmed. As however none of these guineas was to be spent in cancelling debts I had to become a beggar. It was done almost as in a dream during the last six months of 1899 and so eventually the Committee at Home gave me a promise of five times all that we could raise in Ceylon. By the end of 1904 that came to Rs.35,000 and the Committee, though much surprised by the total, stood to their promise and the building facing Base Line Road was erected and opened early in 1907 with the Director of Education, John Harward (previously Principal of Royal College) as chief
speaker.
 

Rev.Henry Highfield's new school in 1907

The present site on which Wesley College stands and the surrounding land was once owned by Charles Ambrose Lorensz. The Burgher intelligentsia in the 1860s was led by a young man who hailed from Matara - Charles Ambrose Lorensz. Being a brilliant lawyer he was popularly known as the "morning star of Hulftsdorf". Together with a group of young Burghers like Leopold Ludovici, Francis Bevan, Samuel Grenier and James Stewart Drieberg they produced a leading local literary journal called Young Ceylon.

In 1859 Lorensz and a syndicate purchased the Ceylon Examiner which became the first Ceylonese newspaper. Until his death in 1871, at the age of forty two, Ambrose Lorensz wielded the powerful influence of his pen for social reform, championing democratic causes and courageously criticising the British colonial government, the Governor and his Executive Council. Principals bungalow was built around 1860. The architecture of the building is typical for that period with tall cylindrical columns supporting a large porch, a wide  verandah and  the lovely lounge  with many spacious rooms. Part of the beautiful front garden has been taken over for the Chapel, a useful addition. It doesn't fail to amaze me that the Principals bungalow is almost 150 years old. It has been tastefully restored and redecorated recently maintaining its historic facade and its "Regal" appearance which we all remember. Its awesome to think every Principal since the move from Dam Street in 1905, lived in that bungalow. Its walls must keep the secrets of the trials and tribulations and of course the happiness and fulfilment of those years in service. "Karlsruhe" in German means "Charles Rest" and so it was the final rest of Charles Ambrose Lorensz, the first occupant of that magnificent building. He died at the young age of 42. Rev. Henry Highfield acquired this land including the bungalow for the School and the rest is our most cherished history.

Laying of the Foundation Stone of Wesley College, Karlshrue

The following account of this interesting function is taken from the “Ceylon Independent,” November 6th, 1905.
Thirty years ago, on November 4th 1905, the foundation stone of the buildings which Wesley now occupies was laid by the then Lieut. Governor A. Murray Ashmore, Esq.
“Karlsrhue” Grounds, opposite Campbell Park presented quite a festive appearance on Saturday afternoon, (Nov 4) when His Excellenecy the Lieut. Governor laid the foundation stone of the new Wesley College, in the presence of a large and sympathetic gathering of friends. The entrance to the premises was spanned by a handsome archway, bearing the inscription “Welcome to the H.E. the Lieut.Governor”. Immediately above this was the shield of the College and the words “Wesley College” – Ora et Labora. A very handsome little cadjan structure, octagon in shape and elaborately decorated, accommodated His Excellency, the Lieut Governor, the Rev. Robert Tebb who presided, and a distinguished few, while the rest of the gathering were accommodated with chairs on the right and left of the building. The roadway opposite, and the grounds looked gay with flags and bunting, and the Coronation Orchestra under the guidance of Mr J Fernandez, help greatly to enliven the proceedings. The Lieut.Governor, who was accompanied by Capt. Tarbot, ADC was received by a guard of honour of the Cadet Corps of the College under the command of Capt. C.V. Honter, with Lieuts. Foenander and Zilwa. His Excellency having inspected the guard, walked up the drive, and was received at the entrance to the marquee by the Revs. Robert Tebb, P.M. Brumwell, H.J. Philpott, J.H. Darrell, Messrs John Ferguson, F Dornhurst and J Harvard.
 

Wesley College in 1905

It is said you should be able to read a building and it should say what it does. I am certain it must be clear to all Wesleyites what it reads. This is how the school looked when it first opened having moved from Dam Street Pettah. Even the drive is not quite ready. I wonder what has happened to the structures seen above the two towers in the picture on your left? I must have looked out from every window seen in this photo specially the top left corner which is the chemistry lab. Those corridors are full of memories and varying emotions of elation and depression as life unfolded. I recall the long trek back from the Principals office after 3 "cuts" from Oorloff for using un-parliamentary language. I remember the happiness and the spring in my step on receiving my exam results which were better than my wildest dreams. We always lived in hope and on many occasions when it rained in the morning I have looked out from the porch wishing for a "rain holiday".

The following account of the school from a Ceylonese Journal in 1906

The institution is under the management of the Wesleyan Mission in Ceylon and was opened for the purpose of higher education on March 2nd 1874, in the premises still occupied in the Pettah adjoining and in fact with the Girls' High School enveloping the Pettah Church, the oldest of the Missions Churches in the island, having been built in the year 1815. The first Principal of the College was the Rev. S.R.Wilkin, now engaged in ministerial work in England. Although at first only able to receive a few day scholars, the College rapidly increased in numbers, and for the last ten years has had about five hundred scholars annually. With this number the limit of accommodation has been reached, and the erection of larger premises on another site has become necessary.

In its educative work the College is subject to the Departmental Code of Government and annual inspection by the Government Inspector. It was, during its earlier history, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, and a respectable number of its students figure honourably in the records of that Alma Mater. When the Cambridge Local Examinations were established in Ceylon, Wesley College was among the earliest educative institutions to send pupils to undergo these tests, and for the past twenty years some of its scholars have not failed to pass both the Senior and the Junior examinations held annually, while Wesley College students have frequently gained places in the Honours Classes or other distinctions.

It was not till 1896, however, that the Ceylon Government Scholarship first came to the Wesley College ; but since that date that coveted prize has twice fallen to its pupils, and the Gilchrist Scholarship, one of almost equal value, has been won once by an alumnus of this College. In the year 1900 a determined effort was initiated to secure a more suitable locality an superior buildings for the College, and gradually a scheme was formulated, and subsequent adopted by the Governing Committee at Horn by which a great advance in the desire direction was made possible. In 1902 a new site within the municipal limits of the city, purchased.

Here, during the years 1905 and 1907 a very handsome set of college buildings have been erected, having a frontage of over 300 ft, and with dormitory and other accommodation for a hundred resident pupils. The new premises are expected to be fully ready for occupation in January, 1907- To keep pace with the great advance in science study required by the affiliation with London University, chemical laboratories are included in the design of the new buildings.

The Highfield Block as it was in 1959 -An account from the School Magazine

The Highfield Memorial Building: The work commenced by Mr. C. J. Oorloff as Principal has now been completed, and Wesley is now able to have not only a fitting Memorial to the Revd. Henry Highfield, but a set of modern, and well equipped class-rooms, including a much needed Art Room. The Geography Room which was also housed here has now been shifted to the Library end of the College. We would remind those boys who use this building, to use it well. The present boys greatly appreciate the work done in this connection by The Old Boys' Union. The building itself was not formally declared open, though the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir O. E. Goonetilleke was to do so, on the Prize Day, last year. This was because of the State of Emergency that was declared in Ceylon, in June 1958, which resulted in the Governor General cancelling all his public appointments.

From the web editor

I was a student at Wesley College Colombo and spent many happy years both as a boarder and a day scholar from 1950-62. My father Douglas Bertram Amerasekera was a student at Wesley and remembered Eric Gunasekera (attaya) C.M. Fonseka, Sir O.E Goonetilleke and HJVI Ekanayake. He was at Richmond College Galle during the Principalship of Rev. WJT Small, much loved and great Principal of that school. Rev Small is to Richmond what Rev.Highfield is to Wesley.

Memories of school life are precious . Those "born and bred " at Wesley must have the greatest understanding of its personalities and their ways, its history and its legends, its potentiality for future growth. As I delved deep into its history I have come a small way to realise its rich heritage and the glorious past. Its beauty and mystery beckon still.

Since our Independence from Britain there have been rapid changes to the policy on education. With the benefit of hindsight some of it has been detrimental to education, schools and the country. Successive Principals had to steer the school through difficult times. The Old Boys Union and the Methodist Church rallied valiantly to keep the school afloat and maintain financially viability. Without the help of those organisations Wesley would not have survived in its present form. The OBU has always been a tower of strength to the school. We must specially remember some of the old boys for their selfless service to the school over many years. Their names are too numerous to mention but special mention has to be made of Sir O.E.Goonetilleke, Hon., M.H. Mohammed and Terence De Zylva for their outstanding contribution over many decades. If anyone feels that other names need to be mentioned, here is your chance. You are free to write about those old boys, teachers or Principals to this website. Many old boys have donated prizes in memory of the staff and students which is a most generous gesture to remember them every year on Prize Giving day.

The teachers at Wesley, what great characters some of them were! I hope they still are. My memory of them extend to their every physical features, their anger, smile and even the smell. Some had tempers that would terrify even the boldest. What distinguished them all, large or small in stature was their apparent venerability. They seem to belong to the school like its own furniture and walls. None seemed more than 50 but so much a part of Wesley. These characters seemed indestructible. Even now after 40 years it gives me a shock and a pang to read of the death of an old master. The teachers at Wesley seem permanent and the majority stayed on until retirement. Many had served for well over 25 years. Although their salaries were probably just adequate, they had a loyalty to the school, and did not use a teaching post as an ambitious transient stepping stone to a bigger and a better paid teaching job elsewhere, as many young teachers do now. I often feel that many of our older teachers, some of them though eccentric, may turn in their graves at the disloyalty and opportunism of our modern teachers. When I now look at some of the old school photos and even see the names of those masters, their faces, mannerisms and voices come easily to mind. Mr. N.E.H.Fonseka who chewed betel always spat from an upstairs window without looking to avoid passers by below. On many occasions I have prayed the spray would fall on the Principal but had no such luck. C.E.De Pinto, Eric Gunasekera, W.E.Mack, C.P.Dias, C.V.Honter before my time and LA Fernando, JLF De Mel, CJT Thamotheram, Iris Blacker, Joyce Leembrugen, Wilfred Wickramasinghe, Lionel Jayasuriya, Charles Yesudian , Raju Hensman and EL Rodrigo during my time were an integral part of the institution that moulded our lives. I fear, I give the impression that these teachers were virtuous and without fault. They were human and in one way or another difficult, egotistical, strong minded and demanding. They loved the school and their profession. They made good friends. I wouldn't want them as enemies. Having said this I have the greatest respect for many of them. I still feel guilty to this day for not going round the school from the primary school upwards to say goodbye to every teacher many of whom I never saw again.

Wesley College attracted pupils from all over Ceylon. During my years there were many from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Amparai, Sammanthurai, Galle, Matara and Hambantota to mention but a few. Being situated between Borella and Dematagoda with Wanathamulla to the East and Maradana to the west the school is not in a wealthy affluent area.

 Hence there were many poor students from all classes and backgrounds. This enriched us all. Colombo 7 and the domain of the rich wasn't far away either. Historically Wesley competed with Zahira College to attract many Muslims. They have played a key role both as students and generous old boys. Being a Christian school it catered for all religions and there were more Buddhists than Christians . With a thriving Tamil stream the Hindu religion was well represented too. The Burghers brought a fourth dimension to our lives at school by there excellence in sports and their easy going attitude to life. Those who took their school work seriously went on to represent the foreign service, the medical and legal professions. The Chinese community was well represented too with the likes of C.S.Chen who became a leading Orthopaedic Surgeon in London. There were two blind students in the boarding during my years at school. They showed us how talented and bright they were despite their disability. During my 12 years at school I do not recall any unsavoury incidents of a racial, ethnic or religious kind. Rev.Highfield and the many Principals who followed him by their dynamism and integrity have succeeded in providing an all round education to Wesleyites to disregard all these artificial barriers which have become a hindrance to peace in our country. The dedicated teachers over the years and the OBU's have provided the glue that have bonded all Wesleyites together wherever they may be.

The School Chapel

Mr. Dunstan Fernando will always be remembered as a great builder. The Rev. Daniel Pereira block of classrooms, extensions to the Labrooy Block, chaplain’s quarters, and for the first time a much needed Chapel came to be built during his period as Principal.

The Chapel is a recent but a welcome addition to our School. For those living abroad like myself, It is situated at the Karlshrue end of the Principals garden.

After 12 years in the school and half of it in the boarding I never realised the rich history we have inherited from its lowly beginnings in Dam Street Pettah, until I gave myself time to compile these documents. They are a fascinating read which gives  a clear insight into the politics of the period and the men of grit and industry our school has produced. I firmly believe that the documents like the school magazines and the souvenirs should be in the public domain like the internet for the benefit of the vast numbers of Wesleyites who are now scattered in all corners of the globe. Presently these valued magazines are in the hands of a few some of whom have let them gather dust only to be thrown away with the passage of time. These articles are of immense nostalgic interest to numerous Old Boys but have little or no commercial value. In all the articles published in this website I have given credit to the author and the journal by including their names. I take no personal credit for them. This is a non-profit making, free website, done in my own time, in deep gratitude to the teachers and fellow students of Wesley who helped to mould my life. I sincerely hope it will achieve its objective.

The New Primary School building was opened in July 2000

The 125th anniversary Primary School Building was opened at Wesley College at a ceremony held in the school premises. The funds for the building were raised by the school Welfare Society, expatriate old boys unions, the Old Wesleyites Sports Club, well-wishers and parents.

The New Look for the 21st Century

The block with facilities which is on the Karlshrue Gardens end of the school will be used by the primary. The chief guest at the ceremony was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Hatton National Bank, Rienzie Wijetilleke. Other guests were the Chairman of the Methodist Church Duleep Fernando and Tyronne Maye, President of the Welfare Society of the school. Despite some setbacks Wesley's students past and present remain a vibrant community deeply loyal and ever willing to help the school in distress.

This website is not an official site of Wesley College Colombo or its Old Boys Unions though we have common objectives.

Dedication: The site is dedicated to the Principals, Teachers and Students of Wesley College who have now departed this world. It is created in memory of their immeasurable contribution to the life of the school. THEY HAVE ENRICHED OUR LIVES . I hope now they have found eternal peace.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning , we will remember them.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles in this website are entirely those of the authors.

Any readers who wish to discuss issues further are encouraged to write to the webmaster at douglasamera@yahoo.com or contact the authors directly. I have received articles from Wesleyites from all round the world and without exception they all have spoken very highly of the school and the staff. There was never any occasion to edit their articles for inflammatory content though it is appreciated that no institution is perfect. I sincerely hope in the fullness of time this website would be a true and accurate record of life at Wesley since its lowly beginnings in 1874. It is also hoped all the staff and students have had the opportunity to express their views freely and fairly on the site.

Credits: I wish to thank all the authors and the Editors of the Centenary and 125th Souvenirs . Special mention must be made of Neville Weerasekera, Shelton Peiris, Shanti McLelland,  and the OBU (UK) for their encouragement and help. I thank the numerous Old Boys who sent articles and messages of approval of my efforts in making an International Website. I would particularly like to thank the Achilles family now in Australia - Vernon, Dallas and Delmer for their support in sending me articles and photographs for this website. The site is only as good as its contributors. Keith de Kretser has been a tower of strength by his contributions and enthusiasm in keeping this website alive. Lalith Wijesinghe (LCR) has never wavered in his support.

Don't lose contact with your school friends. With the Internet and modern Telecommunications it is easier to keep in touch, than you think. Please send me your details including the email address to be included in the database, completely free of charge. Your friends are just a phone call away (or email away). Please fill in the form below to be included in the Database.

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Last updated : Thursday May 08, 2008 17:37:46

The Tsunami - A search for Wesleyites

One of the largest natural disaster has just taken place on the 26th of December 2004 by a Tsunami generated by an earthquake just off the northern tip of Sumatra. The massive tidal waves as it lashed the shores of Sri Lanka destroyed the lives of many thousands and over 2 million people have lost their homes and livelihood. As our people and the tourists count the cost of the disaster the generosity of the Governments of the world and that of the ordinary people has been overwhelming. Forty eight million British Pounds have been donated by the people of the United kingdom by telephone within 48hours. There were a million phone calls every hour made by British people pledging money for relief work. Such outpouring of sympathy and grief for the millions affected has come from countries all over the world. We must show our gratitude to the world.

The bombs and bullets of a 30 year ethnic conflict killed 60,000 Sri Lankans. We lost many Wesleyites in battle.  It brought our country to its knees and our coffers are empty.  A fragile peace has helped to begin rebuilding Sri Lanka when this disaster struck. Let us hope we do not return to those dark days of war again.

Seismologists in Hawaii detected the quake and the Tidal wave 2 hours before it wreaked havoc in Sri lanka but we never had an early warning system or evacuation plans in place to avoid the tragedy. It is our hope these issues will be aired openly and discussed by the Government to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. No blame can be apportioned for this terrible disaster but lessons must be learnt.

The tsunami has taken many lives and it is my desire to have a special memoriam in the Double Blue International website for the Wesleyites past and present who have lost their lives in this disaster. Please help us to collate the names and details of those Wesleyites to remember them in the years to come. We remember their young smiling faces and the happy times at school.  Their presence and contribution to their Alma Mater will never be forgotten.

Ora et Labora

Dr. Nihal D Amerasekera