The Kingswood College was founded by Louis Edmond Blaze, a British educationalist, and a teacher. The school first opened its doors on the 4th of May 1891 at No. 11 Pavilion Street, Kandy with only 11 students from the vicinity. From that moment its students were called “The Gentlemen of Kingswood”. It was initially known as the “Boy’s high school”. The school was designed as a model of the English Public School system with traditions and rituals of its own.
The inaugural years were somewhat troublesome for the school’s management as they had some financial issues. So, Mr. L.E. Blaze decided to hand over the management to the Methodist church. In 1922, the four inter-school houses were heralded named Harrow, Winchester, Rugby, and Eaton. By this time, the school got its new address in Mulgampola due to the lack of space for growing buildings. The land was granted by an Englishman named Sir Jhon Randles. He was permitted to build a brand-new school in his own land. This saw the erection of new buildings and the main hall. By this time, school got his first assistant teacher, Mr. M.D Hanz who taught mathematics. In 1923, the first prize-giving ceremony was held under the guidance of our founder Mr. L.E. Blaze.
Boy’s high school turns into “The Kingswood College.”
Though the school was not considered a fully government-run school, its first government exam was held in 1897. This year, a new gentleman called E.H. Spencer arrived at school who was a cadet officer. He was a master discipliner and organized the 1st annual sports meet. Another significant change erupted as the Boy’s high school took over the name, “The Kingswood College.” It was a joined suggestion by the school’s committee and its teachers.
Kingswood College is the school of firsts. The first of many firsts is a 1st school textbook in Ceylon written by the founder Mr. L.E. Blaze. It was about science and philosophy in the world and what makes it so special is that during that time no other school in Ceylon had used textbooks of their own. The book was quite popular and other schools wanted to have it too. Another first is that being able to introduce Rugby to the schools of Ceylon. This was done in the 1920s era. Kingswood was the first school to get a service of a lady teacher in Ceylon. Her name was Miss. A.C Blaze. She taught Music and did much to improve the singing of the students.
In the early 1900s, Mr. Blaze formed the Kingswood union aiming to uplift the standards of school with the help of its past pupils and acquaintances. Meanwhile, Mr. Spencer had to go to Britain for his national duties as mother Kingswood had lost one of her great teachers. His position was overtaken by Mr. S.A. Samarasinghe who was also a cadet officer.
A Beginning of a new era….
In 1924, a color system was introduced for the houses. Red for Harrow, blue for Winchester, green for Rugby, and yellow for Eaton. Therefore, the sports meet was more organized or and professional. The students were divided into houses according to their registration numbers. As a growing public school in Kandy, the number of students was increasing day by day. The demand for more spacious space was very much urgent. Mr. Blaze and management sought a large area nearby. They could find a place called “Soloman Gardens”. It was a large barren area that belonged to a local aristocrat. With the generosity of Sir Jhon Randles, the management purchased it for Rs.200,000/=. Thus new buildings were made and a large cafeteria was built for the sake of their students and teachers.
After 24 years of excellent service as the school’s headmaster, our founder, and visionary leader, Mr.L.E Blaze retired from his position. He did not leave the school. He was there at the school from time to time as a supervisor and as an advocate for the students. Mr. O.L. Gibbon took over his position and remained until 1937.
The year 1935 marked another special event on the Kingswood soil. Sri Lanka’s first school-based photography society was formed. In an era where a photograph is something unique, an inter-school photography club was really special. In 1937, Mr.D.A.J Gutting entered the office as our 3rd headmaster. Mother Kingswood had its first Sri Lankan principal in the year 0f 1942. His name was Mr.Utting.
Going from strength to strength…
Under the chief Mr.Utting, significant phases in the school’s history were written. One of them was being a government-run school. At that time, free education was compulsory and more and more students from the rural areas could study in Kingswood. Therefore, talented students from all over Ceylon got chances to showcase their talents to the world. Consequently, the school’s hockey team went to win global titles bringing joy and fame to mother Kingswood. Moreover, the younger brother of Duncan White, F.A White who was a proud gentleman of Kingswood, brought honor to school by winning some local and international track and field events. At that time sporting excellence of the school reached its pinnacle and was renowned for its sublime athletes.
In the year 1958, Mr. Keneth de Lanerolle took his duties as the 4th principal and carried the good work as his predecessor. After becoming a fully state-run school, a lot of its past traditions were declined and new rules were implemented. Even though, mother Kingswood could live up to her status as one of the best schools in Sri Lanka.
Headmasters
Mr. Laboothale got the batton as our next headmaster and he was followed by Mr.S.B.M Premachandra, who was one of the school’s old boys. By this time a fully equipped science lab and a boxing arena were built on behalf of the students. Therefore, Kingswood could provide some outstanding sports individuals throughout her flourishing years. Mr. K.V.N Hearth took the office as the 5th principal and he was succeeded by Mr. Nelson Rathnayake.
One of the most prominent and famous headmasters in the Kingswood family, Mr.R. Chandrasekara became the principal in the year 1999 and remained until his retirement in 2013. He was a mastermind and a strict discipliner. Under his guidance, the school developed even more and became a na6xme synonymous with discipline and academic excellence. The present principal Mr.A.Weerathunga carries the school’s administration while paying respect to its authentic traditions and diligent future.
Today, mother Kingswood is nestled with more than three thousand gentlemen from all over Sri Lanka who are preserving her glorious past while uplifting their lives with academic discipline and sporting supremacy. With a rich history of more than a century, The Kingswood will flourish in centuries to come while creating outstanding gentlemen who can shine like a sapphire in this mighty world. KFE!
