HISTORY

HISToRY

Kingswood College was founded by Mr.L.E.Blaze on 4th May 1891 No 11pavilion street Kandy with eleven students That days it called “The Boys High School” That days it’s a private college .In 1894 financial difficulties blocked Blaze to running the school so he give management of the school to Methodist Mission. In that year Mr.M.D.Hanz joined the college as its first assistant teacher due to lack of space the adjoining house, No.10 of the Pavilion Street was appropriated by the management of the school in that year.

 

The first government exam was held in 1897 but the school was struggling because it lost its senior master and two more teachers it was under those reasons that Mr.E.H.Spencer joined the school in 21^th September 1897.He was a good teacher and a cadet officer He proved to be a good disciplinarian he was responsible for organizing the 1^st annual sport meet as the 1^st prefect of games of the college During this period there has been a rapid growth of school and this made its necessary to shift the school to a larger premise in Brownrigg street which was done about the end of 1897.This was accomplished at a cost of Rs.10,000/=.The main hall of the school was opened in 27^th June 1898 that the Boys High School took the name of “Kingswood College” at the suggestion of Mr.Prince who headed the school committee.

 

Our school’s first trained lady teacher was A.Z.Blaze who was with us from 1916-1918.Her duty wad music teaching she did her best to improve the singing of the school .The 25^th anniversary  was celebrated on the 4^th May 1916.

 

In 1918 volleyball was introduced to the school by Mr.G.O.Mendis .In June 1922 the house system was adopted by Mr.Blaze as the number of student continue to grow they need for more peaceful environment to do their work So management of the school started looking for suitable place The location selected that was called “Solomon Gardens” and it was bought with a grant of £4000/=.The plan of the school was drawn by Mr.A.M.Sparr at cost of Rs.200,000/=.The shift to the new place and the new buildings that came up were made possible by a generous gift of from Sir Join Rundless.

In 31^th December 1923 L.E.Blaze’s official connection with Kingswood College came to an end In 1925 physical expansion of the school continued under Mr. E.Pearson with the opening of new buildings .In 1929 Mr.Gibbon took over as the principal of the school and his period service lasted from 1929-1937.

In 1935 photographic society began In 1937 Mr.D.A.J.Utting joined the school as its 3_rd principal and he remained with Kingswood unit 1942.1942 is a landmark year in the Kingswood history because in that year Mr.P.H.Nonis came to Kingswood College as its 1st   Sri Lankan principal free education was introduced during that time and the salaries of the teachers were paid by the government.

Mr.Nonis’s tenure of office was long one and it was exceeded only by that of Mr.Blaze the founder of the Kingswood College During his time Kingswood sports reached excellence especially Hockey reached international level during this period .Brilliant sport man such as F.A.White who was the younger brother of Duncan White brought honor to the college .Athletics reached its peak during this time In 1957 Mr.Nonis was succeed by his deputy principal who served for little over a year. 

In 1958 Mr.Keneth de Lenerolle assumed duties as the principal of Kingswood College and he continued the good work of his predecessor In 1960 Kingswood became a state school but it was able to maintain its traditions unhindered, under the strong leadership of Mr.Lanarolle In 1961 its link with Methodist Mission came to an end.Mr.Laboothale worked as the principal from 1967-1974.In 1977 Mr.E.S.liyanage an old boy of the school joined the school as the principal Mr.S.B.M. Premachandra was the principal of the Kingswood College during 1974-1976. Mr.K.V.N.Herath as the principal and his work of office last from 1977-1989.In 1989 Mr.R.B.Rambukwella came to the school as the principal .After his leaving Mr.Nelson.Rathnayaka assumed duties as the principal in 1998 ,he worked in this position until 1999.Then present principal Mr.Chandrasekara joined as the principal of the college in 1999 still he is working for Kingswood College.