The date in the College History upon which the attention of past generations had been chiefly focussed as the most important was 1841. The question was raised early in 1923, in connection with a history of Jaffna, as to whether 1841, ought to be so recorded, and it was maintained that the School actually began in 1822 - 1824. Careful enquiries were therefore made in the early records both in Ceylon and England, and the fact was established that St. John's began in and had had a continuous existence since 1823, as the chapters of this History show.

When the facts were known, the Executive Committee of the Old Boys' Association met and decided unanimously that the Centenary should receive a worthy celebrations and be marked by a great forward movement for the College. As it was already late in the year, it was found to be almost impossible to arrange for the actual Celebrations before the close of the year. Finally, the 13th and 14th of June, 1924, were fixed for the Celebration; for which was planned a full two days' programme.

It is a remarkable coincidence that the Church Missionary Society should, in the same year, 1923, have finally decided, in view of the splendid promise of the Hon. Mr. W. H. Figg of Rs. 25,000 to the College, to transfer the Girls' College from Chundiculi to Nallur and to include the Girls' College premises within St. John's College compound. This transfer also necessitated the removal of the Nallur Girls' Boarding School to Kopay, and it was decided by the Society that St. John's should contribute Rs. 40,000 in all to the whole scheme.

Accordingly, the forward movement contemplated by the Old Boys' Association aims at a sum of Rs. 60,000 for the following objects

The completing of the sum due from the College for the carrying out of the transfer

of the Girls' College to Nallur. Rs. 15,000

The completion of the purchase of the Thompson Boarding House Rs. 10,000

A Science Laboratory. Rs. 15,000

Improved and extended dormitories. Rs. 20,000

These proposals of the O. B. A. Executive were taken up enthusiastically, and before the close of the year a good start had been made in Kandy and Colombo in securing gifts and promises of gifts. The Centenary year has been the most successful twelve months, and has recorded the best advance, for many years past. The numbers at the top of the School necessitated the formation of a second Senior Cambridge form. A new and very happy experiment was made in doubling the number of the Prefect body and dividing it into two grades, College Prefects and College Monitors, who together, ten or twelve in number,. have become a very definite factor in the School life. The London Matriculation examination results showed distinct improvement ; and 40% of the E. S. L. C. candidates in October were successful, a very unusually high percentage.
In the inter-Collegiate Sports on the Kings Birthday St. John's were champions for the second year in succession, leading the next College by 23 points. At the end of the cricket season the XI were head of the League for the third year in succession.

The Cadets have kept up their good record. At the Diyatalawa camp the senior Cadets won the 2nd place in Shooting, the 5th in Sports, reached the semi-finals in football, and were highly cornmendod in the Hermann Loos Cup, amongst fifteen to twenty competitors.

A Cub Pack was formed early in the year, and they have reached a very high standard of efficiency under their Cub-master, Mr. T. B. Daniel.

The Social Service Union has taken a notable step in renting a house in the Karaiyoor district and opening a small dispensary. To make the work of the members more satisfactory and efficient, a series of lectures has been given on First Aid and simple tropical diseases. The work of the Union in addition to serving the dispensary, coxisists of visiting the Government Hospital, circulating tracts, pamphlets and magazines, and helping the patients to write letters to their relatives and friends. For the expenses of the Union a collection is taken periodically from all the classes of the College this is, of course, voluntary.

The Christian Union also has gone from strength to strength. A change in the organisation at the beginning of the year, by which two Vice-Presidents were elected from amongst the students themselves, has devolved responsibility more upon the boys. In Christian work, as in other things, leaders must be trained. A most successful camp was held in a June at Mandativu, when Mr. K. R. Pilcher, of Trinity College, Kandy, gave a short series of most inspiring talks, and again camp-life was enjoyed to the full for four days.

The Prize-Giving was marked by the announcement that two more permanent prizes had been founded by Old Boys. Dr. Isaac Thambyah, of Penang, has founded three Scripture prizes, of the value of $ 50 in books, to be called the "C. B. Kumarakulasinghe Scripture Prizes." Mr. A. M. Handy, of Singapore, has founded a Gold Medal, in memory of his father, the Rev. C. C. Handy, B. A., Head-master of the College from 1889-1908. This medal is to be given for General Proficiency, having regard to standard reached both in the class room and on the playground.

The College has been accorded the privilege, in conjunction with a small number of other leading schools in the Island, of a Triennial Inspection in place of the old Annual Government Inspections. The first of these Triennial Inspections was held in the third term.

The Twynam Museum building has been finished, and the collection has been safely housed. It is hoped to have the Museum formally opened at the time of the Centenary Celebrations.

Before the close of the year the Hon. Mr. W. H. Figg's magnificent gift of Rs. 25,000 was finally paid over. It must be remembered with gratitude by all Johnians that if it were not for this gift, the re-building of the Girls' College at Nallur, and consequently the big extension for St. John's, could never have been contemplated.

The year has been crowned by the announcement of the successful results of the Cambridge Senior and Junior examinations in December. Though the Seniors have not done as well as it had been hoped, the Juniors have done splendidly, and the combined result is the best for many years past. Twelve boys have passed the Senior examination, and twenty-six boys the Junior examination. Three seniors have obtained Honours, with one distinction in English. Six Juniors have obtained Honours, with two distinctions in Mathematics, two in Physics, two in History, and one each in English, Latin and Tamil.

Thus, the hundredth year has maintained the record of the past ninety nine, for all of which the College may well thank God and take courage.