Ferguson High School, Ratnapura


Ferguson High School is a National School in Sri Lanka, located in Ratnapura District. School has two sections - the Primary section, which serves students from Grade 1 to Grade 5, and the Secondary section, which serves students from Grade 6 to Grade 13.

History

1917 : Founded as a "Baptist Missionary English School" by the Baptist Missionary Society of British Ceylon. It was started with only 3 girls, in the premises of Baptist Church in Ratnapura.
1919 : The classroom was moved to the thatched-roofed spacious hall at the hilltop to accommodate the increasing number of 36 students.
1921 : The school was registered as a 'Grant-in-aid English School'
1924 : The school hostel was started.
1925 : Girl Guide Association was pioneered by Miss.C. Balasooriya.
1928 : The school known as Baptist Missionary English School was renamed as Ferguson High School in memory Mr. John Ferguson who helped the Baptist Missionary Society in Ceylon.
1932 : The system of school houses was introduced by the acting principal Miss. W.F.Gadge.
1933 : The Old Girls Association was initiated by Miss. Allsop.
1958 : School prize giving was held by the Chief guest Madam Sirimavo Bandaranayaka who was a former student of the school.
1960 : Became a Director Managed Government School and no longer a Christian assisted school
1993 : The school was recognized as a National school and 75th Birthday was celebrated with the participation of the late president Hon. R. Premadasa.
2010 : “Wisdom 2010” educational and Trade exhibition was held.
2017 : 100th anniversary of the school was celebrated with the participation of the president Hon. Maithreepala Sirisena. A souvenir stamp was issued

School Crest

Symbolic Representations
Drawn by Miss Nalini Gunasekara, the art teacher of the school in 1953 and adopted unanimously

School Song

Dear to us all is the school where we learn,
'Tis there for ideals inspiring we turn,
Where'er we be - On land or sea
Our hearts with love for our school will burn

Filled with the fire of youth,
Seeking for right and truth,
Ferguson ever, In high endeavour,
Strive, strive, with heart and soul,

Waving our colours green,
Hopeful and bright and keen,
Loyal to Duty, Goodness and Beauty
On! On! to victory's goal!

Working with zeal at our work day by day
Happy and free in our fun and our play
With thoughts as pure, Strong to endure,
For a wider life we prepare the way.


Students are divided into four houses.

Sports

PeriodName
1922 - 1949Miss. Evelyn A. Allsop
1949 - 1960Miss. F. Aurora Brook
1956 - 1971Miss. Pearl Bright Perera
1972 - 1974Mrs. Malini Wijenayake
1974 - 1975Mrs. Mallika Thambiah
1976 - 1980Miss. Pearl Bright Perera
1981 - 1982Mrs. Buddhi Bamunusinghe
1983 - 1986Mrs. S. Subasinghe
1987 - 1995Mrs. Buddhi Bamunusinghe
1995 - 1999Ms. Malani Kothalawala
2000 - 2003Mrs. B. Rani Dariju
2003Mrs. U.V. Leelakanthi Nissanka
2004 - 2012Mrs. B.V.R.C. Bandarawatta
2012 to dateMrs. Mercy Galagama

Notable Alumni

Past pupils of Ferguson High School Ratnapura are called Fergusonites. Following is a list of some notable alumni:
NameNotability
Sirimavo BandaranayakaPrime Minister of Sri Lanka.
World's first non-hereditary female head of government in modern history
Thalatha AtukoralePolitician. Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Rosy SenanayakePolitician. Mayor of Colombo
Mrs. World 1984
Rohini NanayakkaraGeneral Manager of Bank of Ceylon
Yamuma BatangalaFirst lady Air Commodore in Sri Lanka Air Force
Sunethra RajakarunanayakeWriter
Dr. Indra Nalinie LekamgeSenior Radiologist in National Hospital of Sri Lanka