The Sisters of St Margaret Oration is a series of Orations organized by the Bishop’s College Past Pupils’ Association, to celebrate Founder’s Day, to pay tribute to the Sisters of St. Margaret. The year 2025 marks a very special year in the school’s calendar as Bishop’s College celebrates 150 years since its inception. This year’s Oration will therefore be followed by the launch of the Limited Edition 150th Anniversary Book, which documents the School’s rich history. The Oration and Book Launch will take place on the 22nd of January 2025, at the BC Auditorium, at 5.30 pm (attendance by invitation only).

The Oration will be delivered by an Alumni of the school, historian and academic Prof. Sujit Sivasundaram, Professor of World History, University of Cambridge, UK. For purchases of the book, please contact: bcppa @bcppa.lk or Whatsapp: Whatsapp - + 94(77)9722988

In the tapestry of the history of Bishop’s College, the legacy of the Sisters of St. Margaret’s Convent
stands out as luminous exemplars of unwavering commitment and profound impact. With grace and grit, it was the Sisters who embarked on the arduous task of revitalizing the school, and they are one of the primary reasons why Bishop’s College is able to celebrate her sesquicentennial anniversary in the upcoming year.

In 1887, Venerable Walter Edmund Matthew, Vicar of St. Michael’s Church, Polwatte, invited the Sisters of St. Margaret to establish a branch in Ceylon. The Vicar’s vision was that a dedicated band of Sisters could play a significant role in the management of the Girls’ School, which would become Bishop’s College, amongst other missionary work. St. Margaret’s was able to supply a long line of dedicated Principals who guided the school for an unbroken period of 60 years.

The annual St. Margaret’s sale stands as an enduring tradition, a timeless ritual that serves as a bridge between the Sisters and the school community. It embodies not just a fundraising event, but a symbolic expression of our gratitude for the Sisters’ invaluable contributions. When reflecting upon the deep affinity between the Sisters of St. Margaret’s and Bishop’s College, the present Sister Superior
of the Convent, Sister Chandrani reminisced about her formative years at Bishop’s College, where she initially embarked on the sacred journey of leading prayers and imparting Christ’s message to the young Bishopians. She fondly stated how students would often wish to speak to her after prayers,
reaching out for help whenever in need of counselling, guidance or even when faced with finance
challenges. As her message to all members of the school community, Sister Chandrani reminds each student to embody the indelible essence of the school motto, “Non sibi sed omnibus” — not for self, but for all — and urges a commitment to charity as an unwavering principle.

Ergo, within the hallowed precincts of Bishop’s College, the vision of the Sisters of St. Margaret’s lingers still, a reminder of the enduring legacy of lives dedicated to the service of God and education. May the celebrations be grand and memorable and may the success of Bishop’s College go from
strength to strength. - Bishop’s College Past Pupils’ Association.