Getting up early in the morning, getting ready to just be at school on time and save yourself from getting punished is quite painful for every girl, but once you leave the school it will become a beautiful memory. Imagine you live on a greenish mountain enjoying the clean and cool breeze as a Hillwoodian. I got lucky to have this mesmerizing experience… not to live but to study in such a school…
The white uniform and the pocket with the school crest’s monogram simply gave every Hillwoodian a unique identity. The platted hair and the tied up with a white ribbon and white shoes completed the attire and enhanced the simple beauty in every young Hillwoodian lady. If you are visiting Hillwood College for the first time, then you will wonder how girls walk this cliffy pathway every day. Truly it’s not that hard as it seems… in a way we all enjoyed it plus it was a good workout and helped us in keeping our fitness.
But let us travel to a little more ahead to the past… Here we are turning the pages of the History book of Hillwood. Miss Elizabeth Bellerby who came from England, representing the Christian Missionary Society established the College in 1890.
The ultimate goal of Miss Bellerby was to provide a fine atmosphere to study for the young daughters of the Kandyan parents. She managed to break the negative perception towards educating girls. She stated, “if you educate a son, you will educate an individual, but if you educate a daughter, you educate an entire family”. Initially, she built a Bungalow facing the lake to enjoy the breathtaking view. Then she established the school with seven young girls.
Many state of the art new buildings erected since then. Developing the school evolving step by step. In 1909 Miss Bellerby built the Old Hall to have prize givings, concerts, and school assembly. Miss Chapman was appointed as the Principal After Miss Bellerby. In Chapman Memorial Hall, which now we call the “College Main Hall” came up in 1955 with the collaboration of Hillwood Old Pupil’s Association.
I vividly remember my first day… hanging the name card on my neck, carrying a water bottle, and hanging a backpack and everything was so new and magical. I was not sure whether I was excited or scared on my first day. Well I think was excited but also a bit of scared to see so many strangers in a whole new world. The first building that I stepped into when I first entered my school was the Main Hall. The gigantic building glimmering with off white color surface and with pride made me feel even smaller. This was 19 years ago.
Since then for another fourteen years, I collected many lovely memories of my precious school. There were times that we got punished for getting late for “Pansil”. Not only me but the entire batch… Once, the entire class was kicked out by our Tamil teacher for not doing the homework. Instead of worrying about it, we all had a great time chit-chatting and mocking each other. But we all managed to get good marks for Tamil. There is no single girl who did not spend a day in the sick room.
We were so mischievous but things changed when we became the senior akkis. As eventually, we got the thought that we must set an example for the juniors. Always both badges were worn by us. Nails were cut properly. White ribbons were always there. And when it comes to Sports Meet we all were so committed to our house. It doesn’t matter whether you are a prefect or a committee member. Every senior Hillwoodian dedicated their time and effort to bring the house to the first place. When we were in Grade 11, we count fingers until 2.00 p.m. to run home. But when we came to Grade 14, time did not matter at all. Even it was 2.30 p.m. we would just gossip and sit and wait in a classroom.
And in the last year, we would eagerly go to school even though it was not necessary. I and my girls would go to the library and where some would read and the others would stitch or make bands or do something else. This place was our secret spot where we would whisper about our crushes and the day to day updates which happened since the last day evening to the particular day morning. This was a place where we would make plans and make important decisions in our love life… it might sound lame but thinking about it still adds a trace of a smile to my face.
Even after spending fourteen magical years in my alma matter, I said goodbye at the very first place I was first welcomed to the school thirteen years back. And yes just like the start it also ended up with endless tears.
My story’s prologue was started and the epilogue ended from this beloved building. Not only that, but there were many more chapters that were written in this place. We had plenty of assemblies which we preferred very much because then we could skip the first period. There were plenty of shows which we enjoyed by singing and dancing… And plenty of Inter-House events where we witnessed the true house spirits. There were so many socials and Christmas carnivals where we would dance for hours and set our souls free. And all of these memories are strongly bonded with this precious Main Hall. And those memories added colors to every Hillwoodian.
When I walk back to my school through those enormous gates all I wish is to see that prestigious Main Hall building from the distance… When I walk my child to my school I want her to see is that building where I could tell her “Darling, the moment you step into that building you will feel what it’s like to be a True Hillwoodian”
