• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

The Hartleyite Issue 2 Newsletter HCPPA (UK) July 2001 A Legend called to rest Message from College consider his period as Prin- Principal cipal as the ‘Golden Era’. He was Hartley and Hartley was him. The It gives me great Pleasure to give a foundations he laid and the tradi- message to your “Newsletter” tions he natured at Hartley set it off on its magnificent course to be re- Here, we at Hartley have been go- nowned as a leading educational ing through a period of stress. We are institution in the country and con- engulfed by problems all around. On tinue even in the present times of going war is the greatest stumbling block turmoil. to our overall progress. We have to face realities and yet move forward facing The people of Point Pedro and very awkward and awesome circum- the students of Hartley College stances. were very fortunate to have had him live and work amongst them for This is our greatest duty to mother many years. Those who have Hartley. We have to build her up to her worked with him and known him old past pristine glory. The only way we personally have had a precious gift can rise up to the occasion is by our old of a life time. His life and works will Hartleyites who are spread the world be written in the annals of history of over, joining hands with us to help unre- The News that Mr K Pooranampil- our land and times to be studied and nd servedly. With their strength pushing us lai had passed away on the 22 of April marvelled in perpetuity by many of from behind we can move forward. spread like wild fire across the globe our future generations to come. and was received with sadness by all He will live in our hearts for Hartleyites. Tributes and messages of The curricula now is very wide and condolences started pouring in its hun- ever and ever. information oriented. Hartleyites have to dreds. Indeed memorial services and gear themselves to broader their educa- remembrance meetings were held within In this Issue: tion through Radio, Television, Com- days in Colombo, Point Pedro, Austra- puter and Internet. Here our past Pupil’s A Legend called to rest 1 lia, Canada and at Hartley College. association can be of immense assis- A Legend is called to rest 1 tance. Message from Principal 1 His funeral took place in Falk- Mother Hartley wishes you well and re- stone, Kent on Saturday the 28th April HARTLEYTribute by COLLEGE the President P.P.A at– U.K. the Funeral BRANCH 2 2 Service of Mr Pooranampillai and was well attended by many past mains always grateful to you. pupils and former teachers of Hartley TributeHartley byCollege the President P.P.A. UK at– theExecutive Funeral 4 2 ServiceCommittee of Members College now resident in the UK. Editorials and Activities of the Association 5 M. SHREEPATHY forReflection the year and Lessons to be Learnt - New 3 Millennium Annual Dinner 2000—Held in Principal, Hartley college A Thanksgiving service for his life Reflections and Lessons to be Learnt– 6 th New Millenium Annual Dinner 2000 Point-Pedro was held on Sunday the 13 May 2001 Request by the Principal for Finantial support 4 for the College at the Rivercourt Methodist Church, Request form the Principal for financial 7 support London. On the 31st day of his death a Letter from the Principal 5 full day of events and remembrance Letter from the Principal 8 took placed organised by the Principal, HartleyAn Appreciation. Excels Prof C . Eliezer by K. 8 6 “Nothing exists, except through staff, students and the Point Pedro Past Pooranmapillai human consciousness” Pupils Association. An Appreciation Prof. C. Eliezer by K. 9 Pooranmapillai George Orwell– In his book “1984” Generations of students of Hartley Tamill Poem 10 PAGE 2 THEHARTLEYITE NEWSLETTERHCPPA(UK) Current Committee members meeting the Vice-Patron Mr. K. Pooranampillai. at his youngest daughter’s residence in Rugby on 19th February 2001 Tribute by the President at the Funeral Service of Mr. Pooranampillai I stand here as the President of the ents’ names, their siblings’ names and 1924 and had to walk four miles every Hartley College Past Pupils’ Associa- their professions. They are now very day to school. tion – UK branch and also as a relative. precious and memorable moments for We, as a family, visited my great-uncle all of us. At the age of sixteen he lost his Mr. Pooranampillai and Peace aunty, father, and from then on his family and had a very pleasant and relaxing Mr. Pooranampillai was born in with three sisters and one brother went time at his daughter’s place in Rugby 1909, when his father was Principal of through a time of hardship and difficul- just three weeks ago. None of us envis- Hartley College in Point Pedro, a small ties. He started to work as a teacher at aged that we would meet here again so coastal town in the north of Sri Lanka the Matale Christ Church College at a soon, to bid final farewell to Poorana and the college was then called Central very early age, and was the main bread- uncle. Methodist School. His father later took winner for his family sending money up Law and his family moved to Thun- back home to his mother from his earn- Only a month earlier the executive nalai, a village 4 miles to the South. ings. He obtained an external degree committee and trustees of the Hartley He attended Thunnalai Methodist from the University of London by self- College Past Pupils’ Association trav- School and then the Methodist Girls study, while also doing a full time elled from London to Rugby, and we High School, where he was one of teaching job. Mr. Pooranampillai chatted to our former Principal for a three boys in first year special class. It joined Hartley as a teacher in 1932, and few hours. He enjoyed meeting his old has been recorded by him that the then went on to become Principal in 1944. pupils and quipped that he felt young Principal called them ‘the troublesome He transformed Hartley and Point again during these encounters. We trio’! It’s consoling to know that he Pedro, and was instrumental in provid- talked about many old pupils, and as was also human in this respect, even ing an all round education and ushering usual he amazed us all by remembering though it was at a very early age. in an era of modernity. not only their names but also their par- He then studied at Hartley from 1918 to NEWSLETTERHCPPA(UK) THEHARTLEYITE PAGE 3 He was sponsored by the Method- incident where a teacher threw him out actor. But, KP was a very English John ist church to do post graduate teacher of the class, and would not listen to his Wayne! In fact, when my friend one training at the Selly Oak College in protestations. When K P saw this, and day greeted him saying ‘Morning sir’ Birmingham, England where he resided because he knew the reasons why the the quick response was ‘We all know it from 1950 to 1951. He admired the student behaved in such a way, he went is morning, say ‘Good Morning sir.’ British Educational system and mod- to the class and in the presence of my On the face of it, he was a strict man, elled Hartley College on an English friend gave an explanation on his be- but if you got closer to him, in time you Grammar school. He established Hart- half. K.P always stood up for what he could experience his kindness, benefit ley as a leading educational Institution saw was right. But if students were from his advice and indeed counselling. in the Island - one that produced pro- punished by him they dared not go and But my friend added “If you misbe- fessionals and scientists and citizens of say that to the parents because they haved, he would come down on you distinction in all walks of life, who would get punished at home again for like a ton of bricks.” went on to become prominent in many the same offence. Students called this ‘ parts of the world. He was renowned as the double dose’. In his position he sometimes had a strict disciplinarian with good reason to deal with opposition and strong criti- and he was extremely methodical. His K P was a devout Christian and a cism, but he dealt with his enemies staff cooperated with his “one king, one lay preacher who took Sunday services honourably and charitably. In the law” approach because they trusted his at the local church and for a time words of a former teacher “He was a vision and ability. Many pupils, here served as the vice President of Method- gentleman to his fingertips”. He did not and all around the world, would wit ist Conference of Sri Lanka. He was just impose his discipline on his stu- ness to the fact that they owe their posi- involved in social work and in the post dents and staff, but also on himself and tions in the society to him. The words war period campaigned for family plan- his family. He took up Yoga and prac- of a leading Hartleyite were, “ I shud- ning. tised it until ill health made it impossi- der to think what would have happened ble to carry on. On a personal level, he to me had there been no Hartley within KP became Principal of St John’s was an affable and likeable person, walking distance of my home.” Many College in 1967, another leading school who also knew when not to talk.

Load more

  9

Copy Link