TRIBUTE – MR. V.S. STEPHEN

TRIBUTE – MR. V.S. STEPHEN

Retired teacher – St. John’s College, Jaffna

I consider it a very high honor and privilege to write a few lines as a tribute to my beloved,  late father in law, Mr. V.S. Stephen.  To me he was a father and a friend.  The outstanding quality of his life was that he was a caring example of  a father.  In this he represented God our Father and the result was that he brought up three secure happy children, Ranji, Jayanthi, and Vasanthan.   He was also a very caring husband to his beloved wife Rasamalar  Stephen (Periathamby )

He was  a dedicated teacher systematic in all that he did. He taught at St. John’s College. As a teacher he was always punctual at school, important matters were written down on his diary and things were kept in the right place. His children remarked that there had to be pin drop silence at home when he was doing his school work at home.    There was also a transparency about him and he was content with what he had and secure in who he was.

Mr. Stephen truly feared God.  This fear of God resulted in  a  life of integrity.  He was  careful in all his dealings, always speaking the truth and refusing to compromise on issues of integrity.  We are reminded of Nehemiah in the Bible who said, “So did not I , because I feared the Lord.” Mr. Stephen belonged to that clan of people who worked meticulously and faithfully.  His attention to detail was an example to us.  I have been touched to see the respect and love that many of his old students have for him. 

Mr. Stephen lived a godly life and was always regular in going to church.  In fact the Sunday service was the highlight of his week especially in his latter years.  However in the last fifteen years or so of his life he tasted the reality of the grace of God in his life.  This brought a new dimension to his faith and a passionate love for the word of God.  He also prayed daily for his family and other issues.  As a result of this new experience of grace, he even took the initiative to reconcile with just a few people whom he felt he had hurt.  This deeply touched me. 

 So he lived a contented life, right to the end.  He was very patient in the final days of his life when it was difficult for him even to attend to his daily personal necessities.

During the crisis time in Jaffna Mr. and Mrs. Stephen came to Colombo to be with their children. Their faith and trust in God carried them through this difficult time when they had to leave their house and belongings in the twilight of their lives. He was thankful to God for the joy of spending time with his children and grandchildren and even tasted precious moments carrying his  great grand children in his arms.  

Mr. Stephen did not leave the riches of this world as a legacy for his children. Rather he has a left a legacy and memory of a principled life undergirded by the reverential fear of God. 

We are thankful to God for giving him as a blessing to us all.

Arul Anketell

(Mount Lavinia)

2nd EX-CO MEETING OF SJCOBA (SSL) – 2011-12

Dear Johnian

Warm Greetings!

The Second Executive Committee meeting of the newly elected committee will be held, on Saturday 23 July, 2011, at 6:30 p.m., at the same venue, Holy Trinity Church – Parish Hall. Hope to see you all there on time. Am sure all of you would have received by now the minutes of the Ex. Co. meeting held on June 22.

2^nd  EX-CO MEETING OF ST.JOHN'S COLLEGE, JAFFNA OBA (SSL) – 2011-12

Date           :         Saturday July 23, 2011.

Venue        :         Holy Trinity Church - Parish Hall

                              21, St Lawrence Road, Colombo 06

                              (The road opposite to Royal Bakery)

Time           :         06.15 pm    Assemblage

                              06.30 pm    Meeting commences

                              08:00 pm   Expected to conclude, with fellowship dinner.

Hosts         :         Mr. B Thayalan, Mr. S. Kathirgamathamby

EX- CO AGENDA

1.       President welcomes the members and convenes the meeting

2.       Excuses

3.       Adoption of the minutes held on 22 June, 2011

4.       Announcement of deaths (if any), followed by 2 minutes silence

5.      Announcement of promotions/appointments/marriages/ etc  (if any)

6.       Matters arising from the minutes of the Ex Co meeting of 22 June 2011

7.       Reports from sub committees – if any (Christmas Dinner sub committee Mr. Balaretnarajah, Web site sub Committee Mr. Balajeyandhan, Fund raiser sub committee Mr. Vijayakumar, Teachers’ day sub committee Mr. Anushankan, sub committee for honoring old boys Mr. Rajanathan, Sports committee Mr. Loganathan, Christmas Carol Singing sub committee Mr. Rajeev Ariyaratnam, Joint trip sub committee Mr. Bahirathan)

8.       Guest speaker’s address – Dr. Iraivan

9.       Treasurer’s report

10.   Any other matters

11.   Vote of Thanks, Mr. K Mahadeva.

S. K. Xavier

Honorary Secretary

C.E.Anandarajah (Principal) 26th Death Anniversary ( 26th June 2011)

( Reproduced from an article published by  an Old Johnian for the 25th Anniversary on 26.06.2010 )


A Devoted Principal
A Conscientious Social Worker
A Magnificent Personality
A Wonderful Guardian
An Advisor Par Excellence
A man of Action


Late C.E Anandarajan has been the consummate leader for the St. John`s since he was a teacher. I am a very proud Johnian and fortunate person to be a student,  Deputy Senior Prefect, Teacher and was a Hostel Master during his leadership time at St. John`s as a Principal.


The time I spent in the College during his time is the memorable time and, I have the responsibility to say a few words about our legend beloved principal late Mr. C.E. Anandarajan.

The young Johnians might want to know, why we called this principal is a legend, because St. John`s educated this gentleman through his intelligence. He was smart, powerful, bright, truthful, easy going friendly, handsome man to be the leader for this great institution. This man became the Eagle of our school and took our college to the highest level in all times. He shed his blood for the college and gave his life as a gift to all Johnians. Johnians will always stand proudly behind this brave man`s name for our college. He courageously risks his life every day during the difficult time towards our college goal of a stable, strong and peaceful education for each and every student. And as a human, he approached directly every poor child in our college and helped with financial and educational assistance. His specialty is he knew each student`s name and their families. He walks as speed as lightning and asks questions like thunder. We students always had all information on our finger tips to answer him. He always had his own style and the way of raising morale by making each and every day wonderful and meaningful to all students, teachers and staff. He was a great Principal and an amazing friend to all of us. His sensitivity and ability to connect with people touched many of us, specially our parents, friends and the community of Jaffna. Our beloved Principal was very much passionate about education and inspired those around him always. One of the best personal teaching of him is learn to say NO , when things going wrong stand up for it and do the right thing. Twenty five years has gone, but in every old boys gathering, dinner, picnic or even house parties around the world his name comes up in conversations for the values he taught, discipline he maintained in school, his professionalism, and his respect for people. He was a well disciplined man and, even the ducks he had in his house walk in line and still we talk about it. We called our loving Principal at St. John`s with different nick names such as: Iron man because one slap on the face is more than enough treatment for rest of our life to be on right track Man of Principals , he always talk with facts and stick to what he says and his words never went wrong Mr. James Bond , he was the Hollywood figure for entire community of Jaffna `Ananthi` the sweetest humble name, named by the students for the strongest, built, powerful six foot man. The memorable moment of my loving principal in my life is, during the big match in 1982, after we drew the match escaping from innings loss with Central College, he came into the grounds after the last ball was bowled, and gave me and my partner a big hug and held our shoulders with his hands. Whenever I think about that moment, I still get the electric shock feeling of our Principal because we still love him for the things he has done for us and which we can never pay him back again. He is a legend and he lives in our heart always.

Source(s)  Article published by  An Old Johnian  for the 25th Anniversary on 26.06.2010

1st EX-CO MEETING OF SJCOBA (SSL) – 2011-12

Dear Johnian

Warm Greetings!

The First Executive Committee meeting of the newly elected committee will be held, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, as usual at 7:00 p.m., at the same venue, Holy Trinity Church – Parish Hall. Hope to see you all there on time.

1^st EX-CO MEETING OF ST.JOHN'S COLLEGE, JAFFNA OBA (SSL) – 2011-12

Date           : Wednesday, June 22.

Venue        : Holy Trinity Church - Parish Hall

                    21, St Lawrence Road, Colombo 06

                    (The road opposite to Royal Bakery)

Time          : 06.45 pm Assemblage

                     07.00 pm Meeting commences

                     08:15 pm Expected to conclude, with fellowship dinner.

Hosts        : Mr. T. Jeyakumar, Mr. S. J. Jebaratnam and Mr. S. Rajanathan

EX- CO AGENDA

1. President welcomes the members and convenes the meeting

2. Excuses

3. Adoption of the minutes of the 105^th AGM held on the May 07, 2011

4. Announcement of deaths (if any), followed by 2 minutes silence

5. announcement of promotions/appointments/marriages/ etc (if any)

6. Appointment of sub committees (Teachers’ day committee, Scholarship Liaison Committee, Christmas committee, Sports committee, Joint trip committee, Website committee, Committee for honoring old boys, membership committee, any other committees)

7. Year plan

8. OBA representative for the Board

9. Treasurer’s report

10. Any other reports

11. Any other matters

12. Vote of Thanks, Mr. S. Bahirathan.

S. K. Xavier

Honorary Secretary

105th Annual General Meeting of St John’s College Jaffna OBA (South Sri Lanka)

Dear Johnian

105^th Annual General Meeting of St John’s College Jaffna OBA (South Sri Lanka) 

Warm Greetings from St John’s College Jaffna OBA (South Sri Lanka). We once again meet for the 105^th Annual General Meeting fixed for Saturday 07th May 2011.

The venue for Service and Breakfast will be The Holy Trinity Church, 21, St Lawrence Road, Wellawatte, Colombo – 06. And the venue for the Cricket Match and the AGM will be the Boys’ Industrial Home, 490/4, Havelock Road, Wellawatte, Colombo – 06.

We will be happy to have your presence and fellowship on this day, on the 105^th Annual General Meeting event. Shall be happy if you could confirm your patricipation

The day’s programme is as follows:

7.30am - 8.30am  – Service at the Holy Trinity Church, Wellawatte

8.30am - 9.15am  – Breakfast at the Holy Trinity Church Hall.

TRANSPORT TO B.I.H. Grounds, Wellawatte.

9.30am - 11.30am –  Cricket match at Boys Industrial Home Grounds in Wellawatte.

12.00 - 1.00pm      –  AGM and election of office bearers, held at Wesley Primary School premises (adjoining BIH, Wellawatte)

1.00 pm onwards   –  Fellowship Lunch at the Primary School premises

2.00 pm                  –  New committee photograph

 

Agenda for the AGM:

• Welcome and convening of the meeting by the president
• Mark of respect for Old Johnians called to rest
• Adoption of the minutes of the 104th AGM held on 22nd May 2010
• Secretary’s report covering the period June 2010 to May 2011
• Adoption of the audited accounts for the period 01.01.2010 to 31.12.2010
• Resolutions (If any should reach the undersigned on or before 02nd May 2011)
• Election of office bearers for 2011/2012
• Address by the newly elected president
• Address by the principal
• Any other business – Introduction of members
• Vote of thanks – Secretary elect
• College song
• Fellowship Lunch

Thanking You.

S.K.Xavier                      M.Kiritharan                                                                                               (Hony. Secretary)           (President)

10th EX-CO MEETING OF SJCOBA (SSL) – 2010-11

Dear Johnian

Warm Greetings.

The minutes of the last Ex. Co. held on Wednesday, March 23 2011 has been already emailed to you.

The Tenth Executive Committee meeting – the final Ex. Co. of the present committee will be held on WEDNESDAY, 27 April 2011 beginning as usual at 7.00 p.m. Please be present.

10^th  EX-CO MEETING OF ST.JOHN'S COLLEGE, JAFFNA OBA (SSL) – 2010-11

Date           :         Wednesday 27^th April 2011

Venue        :         Holy Trinity Church - Parish Hall

                              21, St Lawrence Road, Colombo 06
                              (The road opposite to Royal Bakery)

Time           :         06.45 pm    Assemblage

                              07.00 pm    Meeting commences

                             08:15pm   Expected to conclude, with fellowship 
                             dinner.

EX- CO AGENDA

1.       President convenes the meeting

2.       Excuses

3.       Adoption of the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2011.

4.       Announcement of deaths (if any), followed by 2 minutes silence

5.       Announcement of promotions/appointments/marriages/ etc (if any)

6.       Membership update initiatives – an evaluation

7.       AGM – Final arrangements / Confirmations / Lunch Tickets

8.       Committee photograph matter - finalization

9.       Treasurer’s report.

10.   Secretary’s report

11.   AGM publicity / sponsors.

12.   Any other matters (follow up on the tributes)

13.    Vote of Thanks.

S. K. Xavier

Honorary Secretary

9th EX-CO MEETING OF SJCOBA (SSL) – 2010-11

Dear Johnian

Warm Greetings.

The minutes of the last Ex. Co. held on Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 has been already emailed to you.

The Ninth Executive Committee meeting will be held, as we planned in our last meeting, on WEDNESDAY, 23 March 2011 beginning as usual at 7.00 p.m. Please be present.

9^th  EX-CO MEETING OF ST.JOHN'S COLLEGE, JAFFNA OBA (SSL) – 2010-11

Date           :         Wednesday 23^rd March 2011

Venue        :         Holy Trinity Church - Parish Hall

                              21, St Lawrence Road, Colombo 06

                              (The road opposite to Royal Bakery)

Time           :         06.45 pm    Assemblage

                              07.00 pm    Meeting commences

                              08:15 pm   Expected to conclude, with fellowship dinner.

EX- CO AGENDA

1.       President convenes the meeting

2.       Excuses

3.       Adoption of the minutes of the meeting held on 26 Feb 2011.

4.       Announcement of deaths (if any), followed by 2 minutes silence

5.       Announcement of promotions/appointments/marriages/ etc (if any)

6.       Nenjam Marappathillai final accounts.

7.       Treasurer’s report on Grade 5 Scholarship and library fund follow up (matters from last meeting’s minutes).

8.        AGM May 7. 2011. Venue and program finalization (follow up on last meeting minutes); special invitees?

9.       Upcoming College Event - May 5 College day (188^th Anniversary)

10.   General Financial position – Mr. S. Malavarayar.

11.   Any other matters (follow up on the tributes)

12.    Vote of Thanks.

S. K. Xavier

Honorary Secretary