Principals

Ms. Catherine Scott

(1866 – 1883)

Ms. Catherine Scott, our founder, came out to Ceylon (as we were then called) as a missionary in 1866, sent by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Methodist Church. In the same year, a girls’ school was established in Colpetty, to which a boarding school was added in 1874. Miss Scott was its Principal from the beginning, when it was known as the English School for Girls, until she left the island in 1883. During this time, the school made great progress. When she left, it had been recognised as a High School with around one hundred students and about thirty-two boarders. Scott House was named after Ms. Scott.

The Scott Hall is a memorial to her as well as Rev. John Scott, her brother, and his wife. It was said of Ms. Scott that her best memorial is the lives of the girls whom she inspired by her gentleness and devotion.

The following appreciation of her character is worth quoting, “She was a true saint with no censorious spirit, good but not austere, pious but always ready to admit mirth and sanctify it, wonderfully human, but above all devoted to God and the highest ideals”.

Ms. Sanderson

(1883 – 1886) 

In the year 1883, Ms. Scott was succeeded by Ms. Sanderson, who was of a rather delicate disposition. She was in charge of the school for only three short years (till 1886), before she had to leave due to ill health.

Ms. Male

(1886 – 1894) 

In 1886, Ms. Male was appointed as the Principal of the school. Through her tireless efforts and dedication, a new school hall was constructed to accommodate the growing number of students, as the old building could no longer meet the needs of the expanding student body. Her leadership and vision played a pivotal role in the school’s development during this time.

The foundation stone was laid by Lady Havelock in 1890, and the hall was opened by Sir Noel Walker in 1891. The site of this hall has undergone many changes since, with the space currently being occupied by the school Auditorium. Previously, during the preparation for construction of a “Pieris Block” at the same site, a foundation stone bearing the inscription “Lady Havelock – 1890” was unearthed, bringing us to the safe conclusion that this was the site of Miss. Male’s Hall.

Ms. Mary Choate

(1894 – 1905, 1912 – 1927) 

Ms. Mary Choate, after whom Choate House was named, was Principal of Methodist College from 1894 to 1905, and then again from 1912 to 1927, a unique record of 33 years of devoted service to the school she loved.

When she first arrived, she was regarded with awe by the girls, but as time went on and they got to know her better, they realised her outward sternness was really a cloak beneath which lay a kind and tender nature. To the senior girls, her History and Literature classes were a never-ending source of joy and enlightenment, filled with her great enthusiasm and inspiration from her own love for and delight in good books. Her Christian character expressed itself in an abhorrence of all that was false or hypocritical. She always carried out her duties in a quiet manner, never getting unduly ruffled, no matter what pressing problem occurred – be it a depleted staff or a threatened chicken-pox epidemic in the hostel. She had a high sense of duty and a spirit of self-sacrifice, never seen idle, filling her hours with work for the school and the girls.

Ms. Choate was even gracious enough to step aside from her Principalship in 1905 for a period to make way for ladies who had technical qualifications she did not possess, during which time she took over the boarding house as its superintendent. Her life was truly one of selfless devotion to the school and the girls she had come to love. She left Methodist College in 1927 in order to marry Rev. J. S. Corlett, and indeed the girls of Methodist College were sad to see her go.

Ms. Gertrude Parsons

(1905 – 1908) 

In 1905, Ms. Gertrude Parsons (B. A.) stepped in as Principal, taking over from Ms. Choate. She continued her duties as Principal till 1908, when she left to be married to Rev. A. Brown.

Ms. Ethel White

(1908 – 1912) 

Ms. Ethel White (B. A.) took over duties as Principal from Ms. Gertrude Parsons in the year 1908. However, after three years, she found the climate unsuitable and made the decision to return home. Following her departure in 1912, Ms. Choate resumed her role as Principal once again.

Ms. Elsie Shire

(1936 – 1938) 

Ms. Elsie Shire, after whom Shire House was named, came as a young woman to be the Principal of the Girls’ High School in the Pettah in 1909. When the two Methodist girls’ schools were amalgamated afterwards, she served as Vice Principal of Methodist College for many years, and later as Co-Principal with Miss Park. Besides being at the helm of Methodist College, she acted as Principal of both Newstead, Negombo and Girls’ High School, Kandy on more than one occasion.

At MC, Ms. Shire had two aims in teaching – first, to grip the child’s interest, and secondly, to build her character. Ms. Shire, grey-haired and brisk, was something of a disciplinarian. Her invariable precepts for the girls being, “Don’t slouch, don’t dawdle, don’t sit on hat boxes, don’t swing your legs and don’t come decked in jewellery!”

It was Ms. Shire who took the first steps towards higher education for women at Methodist College. She initiated the girls into the delights of the classics. Ms. Shire played a leading role in the teaching of Literature and Poetry and her English class was held in high esteem by the girls. To her also goes the credit of forming the 1st Colombo Guide Company in Colombo at Methodist College in 1917.

Ms. Shire helped in the production of the Methodist College Magazine right from its inception. Through the years, she was always at hand to help and steer the girls in bringing out the magazine.

Owing to ill health, Ms. Shire was forced to leave these shores in 1942. She gave 33 selfless and devoted years of her life to the school.

Ms. Helen Park

(1939 – 1943) 

Ms. Helen Park, after whom Park House was named, took over duties as Principal in 1939. At the beginning, she had only one little table and no apparatus at all, but this did not daunt her.

It was with her blessings and owing to her great organisational skills that Methodist College launched the House system in 1930, which we still follow today. She taught Mathematics, Geography and Science in the higher forms. In fact, it was Ms. Park who introduced the teaching of Science into Methodist College. She was a thorough teacher, maintaining high standards and bringing out the best in students. To her sound judgement, gentle wisdom and great gift of organisation and financial acumen, the school owes much. Ms. Park, small and diminutive in appearance, was however, quite strong-willed in character. From her the girls learnt to always speak the truth and share with others. Courtesy, kindness and sympathy were other qualities she expected from the girls.

Ms. Park not only set alight the lamp of knowledge but also set alight the lamp of service through how her life shone amongst the girls.

Mrs. Gladys Loos

(1944 – 1951) 

Mrs. Gladys Loos was the first old girl and the first Ceylonese to have a scholastic career that Methodist College can look back on with pride. On completing her final examinations, she came back to her alma mater, where she was a valuable member of staff until her marriage to Mr. A. S. De Winton Loos in 1921.

In 1926, Mrs. Loos returned to Methodist College as a member of the staff. She was a great source of strength to Ms. Park when Ms. Choate left to be married. In 1929, she left Methodist College and went on to St. John’s College, Panadura. Methodist College was sorry to lose her yet again. However, she returned to Methodist College once more in 1939 as Vice Principal, and later became Principal in 1944, when Ms. Park left.

Mrs. Loos is remembered most for her infectious enthusiasm and her sincere interest in whatever she put her mind to. As a teacher, Mrs. Loos was a genius. Whatever the subject, be it Political Science or Mathematics, Scripture or Literature, History or Essay, she made it seem very interesting. During her tenure as Principal, she encouraged the students to take part in Amateur Athletic Meets and founded different societies in the school. She also encouraged extracurricular activities. Oriental dancing was introduced into the school’s curriculum during her time.

Mrs. Loos, besides having academic brilliance, was a Principal with a kind and tender heart. She was steadfast in her devotion to the school and was unfazed by the financial problems the school was facing. She had an understanding of human nature which few girls realised at the time. However, many would remember her emphasis on gentility, femininity and womanliness… with perhaps a touch of post-Victorian conviction. When girls came clattering down the wooden staircase, she would come out of her office with her chin characteristically resting on one hand and the other touching her elbow and say, “You must walk in beauty, not clatter down like a pack of horses!” The girls loved her for her understanding ways and guidance. There were many among the seniors who used to refer to her as “Mama Loos” a fitting tribute for her disposition.

Ms. Grace Robins

(1951 – 1966)  

Ms. Robins, a missionary from England, first came to Methodist College in 1934. In 1937, she left Methodist College to go to Southlands College in Galle.

She returned to Methodist College in 1951, succeeding Mrs. Loos as Principal.

When the mission schools were taken over by the State and the parents and staff decided to make Methodist College a private unaided school, she valiantly undertook to steer Methodist College faithfully through this most difficult period of her history. She was a deeply religious person and, like the other missionaries who had come before her, her devotion to duty was remarkable. Besides this, she set the girls a high standard of conscientiousness, of integrity and reliability.

During her tenure, she contributed considerably towards the expansion and progress of the school. She provided for the increasing demand for accommodation by the construction of first, Park Hall and next, the Science Block. It was during her principalship that Methodist College became a grade school, and the two new houses, Park and Shire, were inaugurated.

Ms. Robins was quiet and soft-spoken but at the same time a stern and rigid disciplinarian. Her life at Methodist College was a labour of love. Her academic distinction and considerable teaching experience were assets to this institution.

She left in 1966 after completing 15 years of devoted service to the school.

Mrs. Shanthi Peiris

(1968 – 1991) 

Mrs. Shanthi Peiris, an old girl of Methodist College and an honours graduate of the University of Peradeniya, joined the staff in 1958, and was appointed Principal in 1968.  

 Methodist College was, at that time, still a private, non-fee levying school, and high priority had therefore to be given to fundraising for its maintenance and daily functioning. Furthermore, the school was annually accommodating greater and greater numbers, and in addition, there were periods of crisis and tension owing to civil disturbances, when classes were disrupted, facilities curtailed and even danger threatened. All these problems, Mrs. Peiris addressed with calm efficiency and clear thinking, drawing inner strength from her firm Christian faith.  

 A strict disciplinarian, she had a great depth of understanding and concern for students, parents and members of staff. While maintaining traditional values, she was keenly alive to liberal and progressive ideas. She encouraged students to be aware of current affairs and to participate in varied co-curricular activities.  

 The construction of the Hall Block, the Auditorium and the new four-story block of classrooms and improvements in the Primary School, owe much to her initiative, enthusiasm and hard work. 

 Herself a young mother at the time she was appointed Principal, Mrs. Peiris combined the duties of home and school, with the added responsibility of taking a leading part in Church activities, particularly with regard to women’s affairs. 

Mrs. Priyani Fernando

(1992 – 2002) 

As Methodist College entered a new era, having completed 125 years of life as a school, a new guiding hand was at the helm. Mrs. Priyani Fernando, who took over as Principal in 1992, was an old girl of the School, where she had her early introduction to the world of Science. A B.Sc. (Hons.) graduate in Chemistry, Mrs. Fernando spent several years in the United States of America, where she studied at Rutgers University, New Jersey, and also did voluntary work at the Timothy Christian School and the Hydewood Park Baptist Nursery. 

On her return to Sri Lanka, she took up teaching again, joining the staff of Methodist College in 1988. In 1991 she was appointed Co-Vice-Principal, and in 1992 assumed duties as Principal. Her quiet dignity and friendly charm won the respect and affection of all connected with the school.

Mrs. Shanthi Dias

(2003 – 2015)

Mrs. Shanthi Dias took over duties as Principal in 2003. A B.A. (Hons) graduate from the University of Kelaniya, she holds a Special Degree in English, with countless students having benefited from her excellent teaching of English Language and Literature. Mrs. Dias is a gifted pianist and has been a member of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka since her youth – her passion for music greatly contributed to the upliftment of musical and choral activities in school. She also accompanied the Senior Choir on piano during their participation in the Vietnam International Choir Festival and Competition in 2011.

Under her tenure, many refurbishments to both the Primary and Upper School took place – a two storey block of classrooms with toilets and shower rooms at ground floor level was built adjoining Loos block, and the 3 ground floor classrooms in the primary were demolished to make way for a new building with two storeys to house the grade 4 classrooms. This included a spacious staff room and open music room as well, and was declared open in 2009. To give impetus to Basketball, a new sport added about 4 years previously, Mrs. Dias oversaw the construction of a Basketball Court adjoining the Commerce block.