There are two important turning points in the life span of any individual - the travel from childhood to adulthood and that from adulthood to old age. As a teacher at St John's Jaffna for nearly 28 years it was my rare privilege and fortune that I had of being associated with child, youth and adult. The students formed the first two segments and the adults were the co-workers from both tutorial and non tutorial staff. As a teacher you get closely involved with parents who are well in their old age. As a teacher from 1953 - 1980 memories that glitter the already golden background of pedagogue scenery flash back on so many incidents and episodes.

The moment a teacher focuses his attention on monetary gains he loses the glamour that is so richly potent with youthful ingenuity and creativity. I once asked Rev A J C Selvaratnam who was the warden of St. Thomas' College, Colombo, and later Vicar of St. Jöhn's Church, Jaffna; "Sir, do you like to teach or to preach? Do you like to be warden of a school or vicar of a church?" He said "a school is like a flowing river always bringing in new students, where one can learn as you teach. A church is like a lake with stagnant water and one very often sees old faces and old people", and humorously added "where there is death there is hope."

I shall confine this article mainly to my period as a teacher from 1953 - 1980 This period illustrates the community life in our school. It was long enough for a teacher to become part of the very ethos which is a phenomenon to every academic school of standing. For 175 years St Johns with its rich traditions and noble ideals has continued to stand tall in educational culture. I never taught in any school earlier and all my teaching career in Sri Lanka was at St. John's. Having heard of great teachers who were there and others who continue to be there, I went in with much fear. With Oliver Gold Smith in his poem. The village School Master. I gazed and gazed (at the senior teachers) and the more I gazed the more the wonder grew that these small heads could carry all they knew. Teaching was my last choice ..but I had no option.

The Rev J.T. Arulananthan, the then principal offered me science in the middle and upper school and Botany in A/L classes. He also wanted me to be a boarding master soon. It did not take me long to realize that the senior teachers- were down to earth ordinary men. They gave, the juniors so much encouragement that work as a teacher became pleasant and interesting. Mr. E.M. Ponnudurai in particular, who did A/L teaching and was senior boarding house master encouraged me in both class and boarding work. He was a very strict disciplinarian and loved St. John's. For many old boys EMP was St. John's, and St. John's was EMP. A mischievous student was disciplined by EMP. He asked the boy to stand behind him while he continued his teaching. Occasionally EMP turned and said 'to the student 'you are a fool' and then continued his teaching. A little later he turned and began 'you are….' and the boy continued 'a fool sir'. Again you…… and the boy continued 'are a fool Sir'. Finally when EMP turned the boy blurted out 'you are a fool sir'. The class laughed, EMP enjoyed it and the boy took his seat. Rev JTA was an astute principal. Staff meetings were held regularly to assess students' progress. A teacher pointed out that English in his class was poor. He gave an example of words used in sentences. One word was bald. A boy said "our principal has a bold head". The staff rolled in laughter because the boy obviously mispronounced bald. Rev. JTA had a few grey hairs on his head .though he had lots of grey matter underneath. Rev. "JTA however had the last laugh. He said that the boy was absolutely right. "Unless I am bold I cannot be a principal" said Rev JTA.

St John's now, by any standard, was one of the leading schools in the island. Many Sinhalese students sought admission because of the school's reputation for discipline. It is perhaps the best intangible quality that any institution can have. Freedom with responsibility and transparent honesty are hallmarks of self discipline. Education is that which is left behind after the facts are forgotten. A school's tradition flows from the long history built up over the years and passed on from one generation to another. There are norms that form a unique fabric, an indelible and unspoken pattern of behavior imbibed by students, digested and assimilated into, the very bones of a student or teacher if he continues for a few years. Even the trees in the compound breathe out this life and the buildings silently murmur the spirit of the school. Every principal had perfected this set up when he took over the mantle. Mr.K.Pooranampillai. was an exception. He never studied or taught at St. John's. His name was already a trade mark in educational circles. The Governing Body of the school decided to make him head in 1967. Mr.K .P later on told me that before he came over he had a very clear picture of the tradition of the school by digesting the back numbers of principal's reports in many magazines of the school.

In 1962 six cabinet ministers visited Jaffna. They were felicitated at a dinner by the OBA. Hon Maitripala Senanayake an old boy of the school, addressed the school assembly. He recalled happy memories as a student here. He recalled with gratitude what St. Johns had done to him, Mr. Rajasekaram, the Principal at that time, was equal to the task. He reminded the Hon minister that that was the generous treatment that St. Johns generally gave to minority communities. He continued to say that St. John's expects her old boys to give the same treatment to minority communities. Mr. Senanayake is now one of the V. Patrons of South Ceylon SJC-OBA. Mr. Basanayake a retired senior Supdt. of prisons has many friends of St. John's. He was a hostler and was well looked after during the 1958 riots. A very loyal old boy now and it is fltting that he is one of the vice presidents of South Ceylon OBA.

The school assembly sets the tone for the whole day. Many senior teachers were fully equipped for inculcating educational and moral standards. Mr.Subramaniam (KADAVUL) gifted in Tamil and English spiced with Latin considered the assembly hall as the 'stage' to groom future leaders. A crowning example of his finished product is his son, Mr. Sivathasan, who is the present advisor to the President of Sri Lanka. The old boys elected him president of SJC-OBA South Ceylon. With the onset of the 175 years anniversary celebrations falling this year, posterity will tell us that it is providence that puts the correct man for the correct job at the correct time. Many old boys in all walks of life will be ever so grateful to these stalwarts throughout the long years of history. Great educationalists like principal KP and Mr.K. Nesiah of old drilled in the intangibles of education sowing the seed for the blossoming out of future men of great character.

St. Johns reached Himalayan heights in games, matching any school in the island especially in cricket and athletics. This was in the early sixties. Mr. Rajasekaram was principal at this time. The Bishop of Colombo was the chief guest at one of our prize givings at this time and referred to the two immediate former principals as principals of halls and walls. During Rev JTA'S time he opened Peto hostel and memorial hostel. Mr.P.T. Mathai, the next principal built walls and macadamized roads in the compound. Mr Rajasekaram was referred to as the principal of balls, due to high performance in games at that time. However it was paradoxical that St. John's should excel in sports during Mr. A.W.R's time. A guiless man, he was a giant in Latin and English but knew very little of games. On one occasion an old boy had phoned him to know the results of a football match at St John's. We were leading first half but eventually lost the match. The results as he gave the old boy, was a draw game because we won first half and they won second half. On another occasion a senior old boy was very enthusiastic in coaching our cricket team occasionally over looking the official coach who was on our staff. I was the master in charge of games at that time and the coach complained to me. Being a very senior enthusiastic old boy, I thought it best for Mr. R. to tackle the problem. A couple of days later Mr. R. triumphantly told me that the problem had been solved very tactfully. "Very good Sir, but how did you manage?" He said that boys will be confused if they got instructions from two coaches. He gave an example saying that if a catch was given in .a match, one coach might ask him to take it and the
other might shout out to drop it, and the boy would not know what to do.

As stated earlier we reached great heights. In 1963 St John's athletic team just missed the trophy for the Tarbat challenge cup in the All Ceylon Public Schoolso Athletics championship. In this meet right from the first event till the final relays, we were leading Royal College who eventually became champions.

We had regular annual cricket fixtures with St.Sylvesters Kandy. and Nalanda, and occasionally with other outstation schools. In 1965 Royal College, Colombo had to eat humble pie when they played against us in Jaffna. Not even the fiery pace bowling of Thalayasingam could contain the onslaught of our players like Kanagadurai, Deivendra and others. A shadow of one day cricket was in the offing in this match when we had to make a little over 100 runs in less than half the number of minutes. The combined Jaffna Schools cricket team had half the number of St Johns players. In the late fifties this team defeated the Colombo Combined Schools team on St Peter's grounds. As master in charge of games I had the privilege for about a decade in accompanying sports teams sometimes for 4 to 5 days. Every trip was enjoyable and there was good rapport with the players. Solomons, honest custodian of sports materials and ground boy at that time, also accompanied us. When I once told Solornons that he was going to have great fun for 4 or 5 days when his substitute had to work hard in his absence looking after the field, he looked down and with a smile said 'Is it not the same with you also Sir?"

Before the beginning of a season I give a pep talk to the teams mainly on sportsmanship. The captain is made aware that whatever the pressure might be from old boys or well wishers for crucial decisions during a match, it is ultimately his decision. If in doubt consult only the coach. On one occasion the cricket match with St. Sylvesters was turning out into a victory from the jaws of defeat. I was anxious that Deivendra, the captain, must declare and I told him this. He did not and after 15 minutes I went to him and asked him to declare. Politely he reminded me that it was I who told him that he should be the final judge on such occasions. He was a good captain and a great all round player representing the SJC lst Xl for a record period of 7 consecutive years.

Hostel life perhaps brings the best nostalgic memories of a student. Having had 17 years experience as a hostel master in various dormitories, ending up as senior hostel master, it gave me sufficient experience of boys are boys pranks from young to old. It is the discipline in the boarding that sets the tone for the whole school. Hostel masters should know what they should wink at, and where we should enforce firm discipline. After all boys are small men who are expected not to do what their fathers did when they were of that age. With the opening up of Peto and Memorial hostels in 1954 and 1955, boarders exceeded 200. Head cooks Velu Appa and Chelliah would have seen generations of boarders, Nagamuttu, the much sought after classical vocalist at hostel functions was also the 'chime peon' of the dining hall. With his perfected art of striking the hanging iron girder with the iron rod, hostellers will know which were warning bells and which were entry into dining hail and grace before meals. Grace was a ritual to many and they would have one eye opened to literally watch while praying so as to prevent the vanishing of fish or meat from their plates.

Chinniah, the much loved Dr. Kill, had been sick room attendant for long years. His patent medicine was a purple coloured mixture purchased by the gallon from the hospital. Every boy who went to the sick room, be it for a headache or a bruise, or a chest pain which was diagnosed by Chinniah as appendicitis, could not leave the room until he had a dose of Chinniah's patent medicine. He would tie a bandage on the thigh if the boy had a swelling below the knee, scientifically explaining to the boy that if the flow of blood is restricted at the top the swelling will go down at the bottom.

The hostel masters generally had a personal knowledge of each boy in his hostel but quite often a few hostellers had bright mischievous ideas. Once a boy in the dead of night shouted, "thief, thief' putting up all of us, and all were quick to respond, going in various directions to catch the thief. After a frantic effort by more than 100 of us, we heard another shout from 4 or 5 voices - "April fool". We masters were very annoyed that it disturbed our sleep but in the morning having identified the culprit, we commended him for his bright idea.

St. John's always gave special emphasis to English, especially after the introduction of Swabasha. Students whose medium of instruction was Tamil up to form three had to switch to English for science in form 4 (prep O/L) in 1956. 1 taught Chemistry in one of those classes then. Having explained what science was in English I went on to explain what matter was. It has weight, occupies space. I asked a boy to explain what matter was in English. Unable to express himself in English, I told him to explain it in Tamil. "He said, "Enna Sangathi?' which means, in Tamil; "What is the matter?" The boy later turned out to be a chemistry honours graduate in the English medium. Science in the Tamil medium was introduced a decade later in 1966. Students were concerned that should they repeat Form 4, they would be caught up in the Tamil stream. One such boy, whose father. was in Malaysia, wrote to tell him that Swabasha was chasing him and troubling him too much. The father, ignorant of the word Swabasha, wrote to the Principal to caution the boy named "Swabasha" not to harass his son as he is too frightened of him. This was a standing joke for the whole school.

The annual prize giving is perhaps the most important school function. The whole school, except the primary section, is geared to this and the place looks very colourful, especially when the function was held in the open grounds prior to 1974. All students are mobilized and division of labour to perform functions like decorations, shifting of furniture, stage setting, is well organized. All details are meticulously seen to. The lighting has a stand by plant and the mikes are worked on battery. Once when Mr. K.P. was reading his Principal's report inspite of all precautions, the lights failed. He flashed a pocket torch on to his report and continued to read in utter darkness and the crowd continued to be absolutely silent. Remembering details like even a pocket torch is the mark of a good organizer. These are indelible memories on students and others taught by the life styles of great teachers.

The big match fever starts two weeks ahead. The. whole school is united to meet the rivals - Jaffna Central. Acts to belittle the rival school are resorted to by students and old boys of both schools. These acts are usually very healthy. On one occasion the Centralites got a donkey from Delft island, painted it Red and Black (St John's Colours) and allowed it to roam the streets of Jaffna city.

The A/L. students look forward to the annual dinner which was an internal function before 1969. The entire arrangements are done by the students. The staff and A/L student representatives from other schools are their guests. The students wear the college tie and the menu is western. The students look forward to the speeches. The student who proposes the toast to the staff very often targets staff members with humorous episodes and everyone enjoys. It is also a solemn occasion for the students to say farewell to their teachers and they do this with much gratitude.

Perhaps the greatest tangible forte of St. Johns has been her academic performance. The medical university entrance results in particular have outshone those of other schools in the island. Many from schools island wide sought to transfer to St. John's for A/L Bio Science classes. Teaching Botany in these classes had always been a pleasure. Practical work, specimen. exhibitions, collections, biology excursions were activities in which I had always enjoyed the company of boys and girls working together with so mush rapport. In early years, successful students in university entrance theory and practical examinations had to face an interview by a university panel. In an interview a professor asked Krishnamoorthv. What is your hobby?' 'Poultry farming Sir' said Krishnamoorthy. How many hens does a cock serve? asked the Prof. 'That depends on the cock Sir' said K. 'Say a cock like you' said the Prof. So you mean a normal cock Sir?' asked K. No more questions. He was taken in and turned out to be an ENT specialist.

In 1960 schools were taken over by the government and St. John's had to take a crucial decision. We opted to be a non-fee levying private school. Educational well being of St John's was not sacrificed at the altar of financial benefits. This great institution launched out into the unknown future. With great faith. Mr. J.C. Handy the manager of the school with a band of dedicated old boys, parents and teachers saw great visions of the distant scene. The school strained every sinew to find the money. Even the rich mahoganies and compound buildings were sold. When the mind opens its portals, paradise is unfolded. Gradually the nets were cast on the right side and the money to run the school did not pose a serious problem. St. John's today after 38 years continues to stand as, a citadel of educational caliber, thanks to principals, teachers, old boys and parents ail over the globe who rally round to keep the school at its best in every turn of changing scenes.

There are so many teachers, students and old boys, too numerous to mention, who toiled behind the scenes, some whose songs are not forgotten and others whose songs are unsung. They made the eagle to soar high and the Light to shine in darkness.

To all who have gone through the portals of this institution my message is this. May the seed that was sown in your school days by your teachers bear much fruit as you continue in the higher school of life. Remember your Alma Mater and to confer benefits upon her. Have confidence in yourself and without surrender be on good terms with others. There will always be greater and lesser persons than you.

So be yourself and not the other person. Be cautious in your aftairs for the world is full of trickery. Yet there are many who are full of virtue, high ideals and heroism: Love God, serve Him and hold on to Him. When He wants to do something very good to you he starts with a difficulty. If he wants to give something wonderful he begins with an impossibility. Hold on, hold fast, hold out. If there is no enemy, no fight, if no fight, no victory, if no victory, no crown.