In the previous article, I elaborated on how they kept the first steps to build and spread the fame of Hillwood College Kandy. Miss Bellerby the pioneer of Hillwood College has dedicated her entire life to make this College one of the glorious schools in the Kingdom of Kandy. She served at the school for over sixteen years. And then she went back to England in 1906. And Miss Naish was appointed as the acting principal during the absence of Miss Bellerby, the First Principal of Hillwood College Kandy.
In 1904, Miss Lena Augusta Chapman became the Vice Principal of the College. She was also an English lady who came from a Missionary society in England. She was another lady who supported and brought the school’s name into its current fame.
Miss Bellerby impressed many people back in England. And this resulted to bring so many talented ladies attention to the school. For instance, Miss Curtis came to Ceylon and became the first headmistress in the kindergarten of Hillwood College.
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New Buildings
Miss Bellerby continued spreading the word about the college. Eventually, it led to many donations and funds to the school from different institutes in England. In 1887 there was only one building with two stories that consist of classrooms and the dormitory. In 1901 the number of students increased up to nineteen. And in 1908 the number became one hundred. To accommodate them many buildings started to appear. In 1909 they added the building called Old Hall.
Miss Bellerby also bought the building called retreat for the middle school students. And also within this period, the decision of admitting boys to the school came into play. They stayed in a separate hostel and they named it Middlewood. This building was named after the great teacher Miss Middlewood. After Miss Middlewood, Miss Mary Cave took over the boys’ hostel and took care of it since 1910. The school managed to mould so many distinguished men who served well in Sri Lanka.
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Beyond the Hostel Life
The girls had in their daily routine once in a while. Other than educating and having regular life in the dormitories. The teachers took the young girls for frequent walks on the lake round. They could enjoy the beautiful picturesque scenery while chit-chatting with their friends. They also got chances to visit Fairy Land, Upper lake road and Wace Park. They also went on picnics to different places.
The young Hillwoodians also have a peaceful time by connecting with God every Sunday at St. Paulu’s church. At that time the young ladies walking in main streets were not well received. And the church was quite far from the school. Miss Bellerby decided to use large bullock carts to travel from school to the church. There were three carts and they called them Bandles.
Miss Bellerby served till 1911 to Hillwood College Kandy. Unfortunately with her poor health condition, she had to return to the country where she was born. This great lady said goodbye to her life in 1993 and the school was about to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.
Hillwood Memoirs and Milestones – Part 1
Hillwood Memoirs and Milestones – Part 3
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