School by the Sea – Pax Thomiana

School by the Sea – Pax Thomiana

Dr Lalith Mendis

http://www.apeksha-lanka.com

STC Nursery of Statesmen, clergy, worthy citizenry

Sanctuary of decency decorum sense & sensibility

Teaching student polity to abdicate pride & prejudice

All races nurtured making Sri Lanka Land of Promise

 

School by the Sea founded in mid 19th century

To train men for blessed life in Anglican ministry

Founder, Bishop Chapman unparalleled visionary

With the heart & spirit of a pioneering missionary

 

In her heyday when Britannia ruled the ocean waves

In Imperialistic zeal she would wave the godly rules

Ministers of the SPG bringing the Light to Sri Lanka

Remodeled Eton & a Heritage of God in Mt Lavinia

 

Chapel of Transfiguration keeps a watchful keen eye

Over the Assembly in the Quadrangle morals held high

School Hall on the right & the Class block on her left

Old laboratory with the Rifle Green are yet well kept

 

Patriotic in the best sense, given to Lanka best of skill

Thru war & unrest the Pax Thomiana holds us tranquil

Across the nations of the globe holding one’s own will

We began together in one cradle – learning life’s drill

 

Merit to the fore, training in class & field so excellent

Four Prime Ministers groomed for many a predicament

Legendary Thomian grit snatching victory from defeat

Stick together as brothers born for adversity, no retreat

 

Ante apud ad adversus circum circa citra cis Latin says

Dead language killed ancient Thomians, now me it slays

Esto Perpetua – Be Thou Forever, Sovereign Almighty

Not to us but to Him Wise King Eternal let all glory be

 

Blue the black & blue to rally- young & old, near & far

With blue & gold cricket fixture, nationally none on par

Gathering President to opposition leader rifts healing

In these oppressing times bonhomie good will creating

 

Christianity the standard bearer others too given space

Three languages flourish punching racism in the face

Excellent command of the Queen’s English we cherish

While mother tongue with erudition teachers establish

 

Best of Shakespeare, Dickens, Daffodils by Wordsworth

Teachers who were institutions at STC gave it true worth

Chapman, Wood Stone not hay but Buck De Saram House

Wardens’ Name & Houses, sparkle & camaraderie arouse

 

Esto Perpetua though Governments may wax & wane

Young & old, staunch & true ideals of STC yet remain

Anvil that has worn many a hammer of changing tide

God first, Values of cherished heritage, strong in stride

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drlalith

Profile Dr Lalith Mendis Dr Lalith Mendis topped his batch on his graduation from Colombo Medical Faculty in 1976. He won the coveted Final MBBS top student’s Herath Guneratne memorial Prize & gold medal, Prof Rajasuriya Clinical Medicine Prize, Pharmacology Medal, Pathology Medal. He passed the MRCP (Part 1) in 1978. He was Clinical Registrar, Dept of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (1979 – 1980) & moved to Pharmacology. He won the Commonwealth Scholarship in 1979. His last academic post was as Lecturer in charge Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kelaniya (1993 – 1999). Dr Lalith Mendis is the Founder Director of the Empathic Learning Centre, He has researched the effect of digital overuse on children & youth and developed empathic therapies to reverse inattention, impulsivity & hyperactivity. Dr Mendis hosts the monthly Digital Forum at his centre and has delivered lectures & conducted seminars on this theme in leading schools & Corporates in Colombo. He has also lectured in Germany, Malaysia & UK. Author of five books on the topic, his books Right Learning & Recovering Childhood, Children Our Heritage & Let the Children Come to Me are in their second print. His books are available from all major bookstores in Colombo. His latest book “Parenting Heart & Brain - in an age of digital domination” has a preface from the former Dean of the Medical faculty of Colombo. “I have been seeing children affected by too much cartoon abuse. This is not about ADHD but normal children with agitation & hyperactivity & inattention in studies”.

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