As Bishop’s College, Colombo commemorates its 150th anniversary, its Principal Chemali Goonatilake Herath reflects on its legacy in education, rooted in its motto, Non Sibi Sed Omnibus—Not for Self but for All. The school established in 1857 by Bishop James Chapman and his wife Frances, has witnessed a journey of resilience, growth, and transformation. From its early challenges and closures to its rebirth as Bishopsgate School and eventual flourishing at its present location in Colombo 3, Bishop’s College has become a beacon of holistic education in Sri Lanka.

Led by Principal Chemali Goontilake Herath, herself a proud alumna, the school is celebrating this historic milestone with a series of events that honour its legacy and look toward the future. In this exclusive interview, Ms. Goonatilake shares insights into the school’s history, its pioneering role in girls’ education, and the values that continue to shape its students into empowered and responsible citizens. She also discusses the creation of a commemorative coffee table book, the involvement of students and alumni in the festivities, and her personal journey from student to Principal of this institution.

Q What were some of the pivotal moments in the school’s history that shaped its identity?
Any institution with a history spanning 150 years has undoubtedly faced its share of challenges. Bishop James Chapman and his wife, Frances, encountered numerous professional and personal obstacles while establishing a school dedicated to girls’ education. Their foresight, determination, and spiritual devotion were instrumental in overcoming these difficulties. Fortunately, this vision was furthered by Bishop Copleston, who formally invited the Sisters of St. Margaret to assume leadership of the school. This pivotal decision ensured the institution's continuity and introduced a fresh perspective on holistic education. Although eventual adverse weather and health issues led to their departure, the foundation of the school was firmly laid, allowing each subsequent Principal to build upon this enduring legacy.

Q How has the school evolved to adapt to the changing educational landscape while preserving its traditions?
Bishop’s College has consistently been a pioneer in the education of girls from its inception. Its curriculum was never confined to the typical offerings of missionary schools, which often focused solely on religious education and basic skills like needlework. From the beginning, the Sisters expanded the curriculum to include vital subjects and a range of intra and extracurricular activities, such as sports, the arts, and community service. This vision of providing a holistic education for women has endured. Even in the face of political and educational reforms, Bishop’s College towards independence and thereafter, embraced the liberal and progressive thought that dominated the day and sported a modern identity towards nurturing a ‘new woman’ whilst skillfully blending it with the rich traditions of the school. We have remained committed to cultivating, well-grounded ‘all-round students,’ emphasising academic excellence and the importance of becoming responsible citizens who actively contribute to their communities.

Q What are some of the school’s most notable academic, extracurricular, and community achievements over the years?
Bishop’s College has achieved remarkable success in academics as well as in sports and other areas. While the International A/L curriculum was introduced alongside the National curriculum over 2 decades ago, the International O/L curriculum was launched last year to address contemporary educational needs. We are confident that this introduction will emulate the many world prizes our students have achieved in past years at the A/L exams. As a 150th-anniversary initiative, the school incorporated Sign Language and Comparative Religious Studies as compulsory subjects for Primary and Middle school last year.

We have also been acknowledged for our comprehensive Educational Support Unit that caters to approximately 40 children with special needs in an inclusive learning environment. The college boasts an outstanding track record in both sports and the arts, consistently nurturing and developing talent in these fields whilst cheering on many students who have gone on to represent Sri Lanka.

We take great pride in our commitment to the legacy of charity, public service, and community spirit. Our 42 clubs and societies actively organise a variety of charitable initiatives throughout the year, embodying our motto: Not for Self- but for All, and have been recognised with awards and accolades even though that was not their intention.

Q How have past pupils of Bishop’s College contributed to shaping Sri Lanka in fields such as education, arts, politics, business, and social work?
I could easily write a book on this topic! From the groundbreaking Adeline Molamure, the first woman to enter parliament and a former member of the State Council of Ceylon, to the current Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Bishopians have consistently led the way in political, economic, educational, community service and social reforms in Sri Lanka. The 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Book celebrates these pioneers and highlights the many alumni who have made significant contributions to the country. I highly recommend that everyone acquire a copy!

Bishop James Chapman

Q Are there any alumnae whose success stories particularly stand out as an inspiration to current students?
The ‘current’ students have been inspired by Jayanthi Kuru Utumpala, the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest; Melanie Kanaka, the first Asian woman to be the President of CIMA; and now, of course, the current Prime Minister, who was a batchmate of mine. There are many more, which you can read for yourself in the Coffee Table Book, which will be launched on the 22nd, as mentioned earlier.

Q As the school celebrates its 150th anniversary, what is your vision for the future of Bishop’s College?
In a post-COVID era, where future generations will be influenced mostly by social media – my vision is to see that the values envisioned for us by our founders are maintained, even with the greatest difficulty.  We cannot stop the AI and social media frenzy, but we can enable our students to be grounded, empathetic and of service, attributes we inculcate in them from their formative days. I stress ‘FIRST’ for the seniors – Faith, Integrity, Respect, Sincerity and Tenacity.  These are the Bishopian traits I hope the future generations will carry to the world.

Q How does the school plan to continue empowering its students to make a positive impact on society?
Our school motto, ‘Non-Sibi Sed Omnibus’ – Not for Self, But for All, embodies a guiding principle that we instil in our students early on. We aim to cultivate good citizenship as a natural choice as they mature. We employ various strategies to achieve this, from starting our day with prayers for all faiths to age-appropriate activities designed to foster empathy in our youngest learners, encouraging our older students to engage in community service, and supporting inclusive education for students who are differently-abled.

We also prioritise teaching critical skills such as mediation and provide opportunities for them to understand and connect with those less fortunate in our society. In our educational approach, we prioritise the development of students' confidence, empowering them to articulate their thoughts and become strong advocates for their viewpoints. We also strive hard to reaffirm their faith and emphasise the importance of maintaining integrity, respect and empathy while focusing on moral values that seem to be disappearing. We must not take our privileged schooling environment for granted, nor leave it to be diluted, but we must empower our students to be the best they can be and live out our motto in Sri Lanka and the world.

Q As the Principal, what does it mean to you to lead Bishop’s College during this historic milestone?
It still seems surreal because I remember my school days like yesterday. I feel humbled and blessed and consider it an immense privilege and honour to serve my alma mater during this time. Those closest to me know of my ‘attachment syndrome’ and the love and passion I have for my alma mater. They fear my blood may be purple! Jokes aside, I have to mention that I can do all that I am doing because a group of passionate Bishopians, who are as fanatical as I am, gravitated and rallied around me from the first day I took office. I am ever so grateful and appreciative of their immeasurable support and effort, which cannot be repaid. I must also mention the cooperative parents, the extremely loyal staff, a brilliant Vice Principal, and the generous donors and well-wishers who have assisted me in numerous ways to make my vision a reality.

Q Do you have a personal favourite story or memory from the school’s history that resonates with you?
I have many because I was in the BC boarding school, a very exclusive home to those whose parents were planters or worked outstation. That’s where my love for this school was inculcated. Sometimes, the students tell me they think the walls talk to me, and I don’t deny it because I have walked these corridors since I was 9 years old. On our final day in school, where I had to give my farewell speech as Head Girl to the teachers, I remember being so emotional that I broke down, and this very strict teacher, who we were mortally afraid of, said, “Why are you crying, child? You are one to come back and lead this school!” Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think her words would become a reality? She didn’t fail to call me the day I was appointed and said, “Don’t ever underestimate a teacher’s prediction!” Now, I find myself doing the same to my students.