The year 1936 started on a sad note with the death of King George V. He was succeeded by his son Edward VIII. The old order giveth way to the new. So it seemed at St. John's in 1936, where a number of well known figures disappeared from the scene and were succeeded by new ones. During the course of that year, the College lost the services of a beloved teacher with the death of Mr. Charles Newton. He had been a President of the Masters' Guild and had taken active part in Church affairs. Death also removed Mr. C. H. Kathiravetpillai, a retired Tamil Teacher of St. John's. He was the first President of the Masters' Guild and it might be said that Tamil Literature and Language really came into their own during his time. He composed a Centenary Hymn in Tamil for the College Centenary celebrations. Two others who passed beyond the veil were distinguished Old Boys. One was Mr. V. Casipillai, probably the oldest Old Boy at that time, being abou t 90 years when he died. The other was Mr Cornelius Arulpragasam, the donor of the Arulpragasam Gold Medal for English Oratory.

Not only St. John's but Jaffna lost the services of two great Educationists in 1936. Rev. Father Mathews who had been Rector of St. Patrick's for more than a quarter century retired; and death removed Rev. John Bicknell, President of Jaffna College, towards the end of 1936. The services of 'these two towards Education in Jaffna can never be underestimated.

That year Mr. S. M. Thambiayah of the staff retired after 39 years of teaching. Including his student days, he had an unbroken connection with St. John's for 49 years, a record which will take some beating. Mr. J. C. Handy also left the College staff to take up the post of Principal at St. Thorns' College Matara. He had joined the staff in 1922 and had been the Mathematics Master and was responsible for the compilation of the College history from 1823 to 1923. But his greatest services to the, College were to come in the sixties, which was yet in the future.

The College suffered a great loss when Mr. A. M. K. Cumaraswamy, the Vice Principal, left to take up an appointment in the Education Department. Mention has already been made of his intellectual qualities when he joined St. John's as Vice-Principal in 1931. Within the short five years, he had given of his best in the class room and outside it. "His addresses in the School chapel and the School Hall, and his contributions to meetings and discussions were always marked by a freshness and brought an inspiration which it is the privilege of but a few to give" stated Rev. Peto in his School report. His brilliance and humorous wit, combined with his innate simplicity left an indelible mark in the hearts of his colleagues and pupils. Mr. S J. Gunasegaram writing about Mr. A. M. K. Cumaraswamy states, "In him the old world courtesy and refinement of a scholar shaped in the tradition and culture of the Tarnil people combined with the scientific training received from western education, and the experiences resulting from travel and association with great men who became his associates and friends-to produce a charming personality rarely met with among the educated elite of Ceylon. St. John's College is rightly proud of having produced him".

Chief among the new who replaced the old was Rev. J. T. Arulanantham who returned to his old school with a 2nd Class Honours degree in Psychology from King's College, London. He succeeded Mr. A.M.K Cumarasamy as Vice-Principal. Another old Johnian who returned to his old school was Mr. S. Sivapragasam who was made master-in-charge of Science. These two were, one day, to be Principal and Vice-Principal of the College,

By far, the most significant event in 1936 was the taking over on 2nd November of the premises occupied by the Girls' College and its shifting to the present site at Chundikuli. The Girls' College had been occupy rig the buildings presently used as the Vice-Principal's bungalow, Evarts House and Figg Hall. For a considerable time, the idea of shifting the Girls' College to Nallur, to enable St John's to expand, was in the cards. In fact Mr. Figg's gift of Rs. 25,000/= in 1923 was given for this purpose. Later, it was felt, that if suitable land was available at Chundikuli itself, it would be better to locate the Girls' College there. In 1936 this opportunity arose and the Girls' College shifted to its present location. The St. John's College magazine nostalgically states, "It was with mixed feelings that we took possession of what w ere now were the Girls' College premises. The Girls' College was really an off shoot of St, John's, having grown out of some classes for girls started in the Principal's bungalow by the wife of our Principal (Mrs. Carter in 1896). Since then we had grown together, shared in each other's joys and sorrows, worshipped in the same chapel and were almost regarded, as one school. It was not without a pang therefore that we parted ; but our comfort is that they are yet close to us and our friendship as warm as ever".

No history of St. John's College will ever be complete without frequent references to Chundikuli Girls' College. Most Johnians, young and old, have had their. sisters, mothers, wives. or daughters educated at Girls' College. The two schools even had the same colours, red and black Prof. J. L. Rodrigo, once said in lighter vein, that he had seen many happy homes, but none so happy as that where an Old Johnian is wedded to an Old Girl of Chundikuli ! The Johnians have always regarded their neighbouring. school literally as their sister school, that is the place where their sisters went to school. As has already beet stated, Girls' College grew out of St. John's, almost like Eve coming out of Adam's rib. The knot that binds these two schools is divine, and it is to hoped that what God had joined together, no man at any future date, will try to put asunder.

The Chundikuli Girls' College Principal of that time, Miss. Northway deserves a lot of credit not only for the part she played in shifting, but also for planning and building up the new Chundikuli Girls' College.

The take over of the Girls' College premises was officially celebrated in February, 1937, with a public meeting after a combined Parents' Day and Inter-House Sports meet. The Chief Guests were Sir Sydney Abrahams (Chief Justice) and Lady Abrahams. The Principal Rev. Peto referred to the occasion as perhaps the greatest day in the College history, in so far as it marked the biggest extension made at any one time by the College. The gift of Rs. 25,000/- given by Mr. W. H. Figg in 1923 was the biggest the College had ever received up to that time, enabling St. John's to acquire the Girls' College premises. The former Girls' College Hall was named Figg Hall in his memory. The extensions included in addition to the Hall, 4 Class-rooms located at the 4 corners of Figg Hall, and two extra rooms also in the same building. These were used as the Scout Room and the Cub Room. The Scout and Cub movements had become very popular at the College and were sorely in need of a room each and with the acquisition of these rooms, they were able to expand their activities. It is interesting to note that Miss. E. 1. Kelk, a sister of Mrs. Peto, helped as Cub Mistress at this time. Her major contribution to both Chundikuli Girls' College as a teacher and Vice Principal and to St. John's as Choir Mistress was to come later. In addition to the above rooms, the present Vice Principal's bungalow, Evarts House arid the Boarding House Master's bungalow were also acquired by St. John's, not to mention the ground accommodation.

It is interesting to note that the Parents' day was inaugurated to give parents the opportunity to visit the school and see something of the work be done. It was the culmination or a series of visits by class teachers to the homes of the students in order to get to know the parents. The practice has now ceased, no doubt due to the large number of students attending school now.

With regard to examinations, at the June, 1936 Matriculation examination, St. John's came first in Ceylon in the percentage of passes. In 1937, at the Cambridge Senior, both students who entered were successful. while at the Junior level, 23 passed with 10 distinctions.

In the 1937 January and June London Matriculation examinations 19 and 9 passed out respectively. These results were quite satisfactory and it should be noted that the Cambridge Examination, (especially the Senior Examination ), were on their way out. Rev. Peto in his school report has this to say about it, "Though our boys have been successful in the London Matriculation Examination. I am still definitely of the opinion that it is, an unsuitable examination as a school-leaving certificate examination. I would reiterate what I said last year, that the Cambridge Senior Examination which we have been compelled to drop because of its unreasonably exacting demands upon the average boy for a pass offers a sounder school course whether for higher studies or for the general education a boy leaving school and entering business might be expected to have".

The College tie, in Red & Black appeared in 1936. Another new innovation was the formation Of the "College Parliament". The Senior Literary Association was divided into two parties Liberals and Conservatives. This gave more opportunities to members to cultivate their debating and literary talents, The first "Prime Minister" was T. Vanden Driesen. Among their debated subjects were ""Dictatorship in Germany", ,The Bracegirdle Affair" and "Is one nation justified in ruling over another?" The seed, of democracy and nationalism were taking root and spreading slowly but surely.

In sports St. John's emerged as runners-up in football in 1937. In Cricket, though nothing outstanding was achieved, a youngster by the name of R. R. Scott was beginning to make a name for himself. He made two centuries this season, one against Jaffna College and the other against the "Big Match" rivals, Central College, enabling St. John's to win by 9 wickets. He was to score two more centuries for the College, including 156 vs. Hindu College ,which remained the College Ground record until 1967 when it was eclipsed by C. Sooriyakumar. It is more than 40 years since R. R. Scott left College, but his name is still held sacrosanct in the field of Sports at St. John's. He achieved undying fame in Cricket, Football and Athletics, and not only to-day, but ever 30 years ago, his name and deeds wore spoken of in legendary terms. It was rare for any individual to captain a team for two years in succession. But R. R. Scott was Cricket and Foot-ball Captain for 4 years in succession, captaining both teams from 1938-41 ! At Football he was one of the best centre-halves in Ceylon. It is a mystery why he was not made Athletic Captain of the College because it was in Athletics that he made the biggest impression. In addition to being Senior Champion in Athletics, Scott had come Ist in both the 440 yards & 880 yards at the Ceylon Public Schools meet in 1939 and then as a school boy represented All Ceylon in an Athletic meet against India in that country in 1940. He brought glory to the College, when he came 3rd in the 400 metres event and was a member of the 4x400 metres relay team, helping Ceylon to a comfortable win, and smashing the Indian record ! Needless to say that Scott won the "College Award" for General Excellence. He was also a highly respected Senior Prefect of the College. According to his contemporaries, he was a thorough gentleman and sport, unassuming but dependable, who treated victory and defeat in the, same manner. R. R. Scott's contribution in the Sports field is incomparable and rightly can he be regarded as the "NONPAREIL" in the College Sports lore.

Mr. K. Nesiah also brought honour to his College when he was chosen as one of the delegates to represent Ceylon at the World Teachers' Conference at Tokyo in 1937. As one who had indefatigably worked for the formation of Teachers' Associations in various centres and was largely instrumental in welding them together into one powerful organisation, he amply deserved the honour of representing his country at the Conference.

Among the distinguished visitors to St. John's in 1937 were Dr. Saito, General Secretary of the Japanese Y. M. C. A. and S.C.M, and the Rt. Hon. Sirinivasa Sastri. The latter was supposed to be one of the best speakers in English at that time and was eagerly listened to. An interesting foot-note to his visit to Ceylon was that when questioned by some newspapermen. he had told them he was on a pilgrimage to Jaffna, with the sole purpose of seeing his "old Guru" and receiving his blessings. The old Guru was one other than Mr. Jamcs Hensman, one of the most distinguished Old Boys St. John's had produced and who had been a Vice President of the College 0.B.A.

Of the several activities in the College, a 4 day Camp at Mathagal by the S. C. M. deserves mention. The camp plus retreat was led by the Rev. S. Selvaratnam and had Mr. H. T. John and Rev J. T. Arulanantham as helpers. The theme' of the camp was the 13th Chapter of the lst epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. A Hindu boy who had attended the' camp exhorts others to "just go and experience".

In April, 1938, Rev. Peto, Rev.J.T. Arulanantham and Mr.E.M. Ponnudurai embarked on a tour to Malaya. The purpose of the trip was two-fold, one to see the Old Boys of St. John's in Malaya and keep them informed of the College activities and the second was to collect funds for the Centenary and Thompson Memorial Fund. The trip was reminiscent of an earlier trip made, by Rev. Thompson to Malaya in 1915 to raise funds for the College. It was a very successful tour and the Johnian trio were welcomed and feted by numerous Old Boys and friends. The collection they made exceeded their expectations. Rev. Peto writing about the tour states that his lasting impression of the trip was the strong homing instinct of the Jaffna Tamil, his devotion to his home-land and the welfare and future of his brethren. This is so true even to-day, and many of the Jaffna Tamils scattered all over the world, keep yearning for their Jaffna homeland, just like the Jews all over the world waiting to return to Jerusalem, if only for a few days. There are several common factors between these two races if one analyses closely. Not the least being their insularity, frugality, and brain power ! St. John's has her share of Old Boys doing very well in U. K., U. S. A., African and Middle East countries &rid it will be to their advantage it they can open branches of their 0. B. A. in some of them.. After all, there is a precedent for them to follow, because they had a strong O.B.A. branch in Singapore before the 2nd World War.

In March, 1938, history was created when the 0. B, A. of St. John's and the O.G.A. of Chundikuli (Colombo branches) bad a joint celebration dinner at the Y. M C. A. According to the 0.B.A. Secretary of that time, Mr. J.T. R. Perinpanayagam, who incidentally was a very loyal Old Boy of St. John's, this was the first time two Colleges bad a joint celebration. It must have been a night to remember, with speaker like Prof. J.L.C. Rodrigo, Prof. C. Suntheralingam and Mr. A.M. K. Cumaraswamy in scintillating form. Prof. Rodrigo said he had always had a high opinion of Jaffna schools, but when he received the invitation to the dinner, be felt St. John's was the best of them For them in Colombo there was only one Girls' School in Jaffna and that was Chundikuli ! Prof Suntharalingam stated that the occasion was the first time two sister institutions had joint celebrations. As far as the location of the schools was concerned, there had been a judicious balance between the forces of attraction and distraction !

Among the Old Boys who made headlines that year, pride of place goes to Rev. James S. Mather who was elected the Chairman of the Methodist Synod, .the first Ceylonese to occupy this post. Dr. G. R. Handy was awarded the Duncan Medal for coming first in the 1st part for the Diploma in Tropical Medicine in U.K. Mr. A. Gardiner, Managing Director of Ceylon Theatres Ltd. was elected District Governor of Rotary District 95 at Poona in India.

A gift was 100 desk and seat sets was received from Mrs. and Miss. Carter, in memory of Rev. Carter, a former Principal of St. John's, who had died in 1937. These desks and seats were utilised in the Figg Hall.

Mr.C.C. Jell, a beloved master who bad taught at the College from 1909 to 1939 died in 1939 and a tablet was unveiled in his memory in the College Library on the first anniversary of his death. 1939 will always he remembered as the year in which the 2nd World War started. As far as the College was concerned, it was uneventful, even though people were getting restive about war clouds that were darkening the air. War broke out in September 1939, but it was still largely confined to Europe and 1940 began with the usual activities uninterrupted at St. John's. They were runners-up at the Inter Collegiate Athletic meet in the north. R. R. Scott won a 2nd place in tile 440 yards Public Schools meet in Colombo and Alphonsus added to the College laurels by coming 3rd in the same event.

On May 28th 1940, the College celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Principalship of Rev. Peto. It was an occasion when stock was taken of the vast progress the College had made under Rev. Peto's leadership, in every direction, during the last 20 years. It was the longest period served by any principal of the College (equalling Rev. Pargiter's term of office as Principal from 1846-66) and it was hoped that he would lead St. John's to greater heights of glory. Therefore it came as a great shock to everybody when stark tragedy struck on 13th June 1940, when Rev. Peto was drowned at Thondamanaru. That day happened to be the King's birthday and Rev. Peto had attended the birthday parade in the morning and later supervised the vacating of William's Hall to be handed over to the builders who were to carry out its renovation. He had been quite hale and hearty when he went on that swim to Thondamanaru, that when news of his accident reached the College, everyone was left stunned and stupefied There was an insistent hope in the heart' a of everyone that there was some mistake somewhere and that the, news was a false alarm.

Such hopes were only short lived and were soon dispelled when confirmation of the news was received. He had, in spite of his physical handicap, swum out in response to a call of help from Miss. Vanden Driesen, when he collapsed. He had died as he had lived in the service of others. Though help was summoned as quickly as possible, the angel of death triumphed and robbed St. John's of one of its greatest and most beloved principals. The body was brought to the College and taken to the Principal's bungalow. It is said there was an endless stream of sympathisers who called to pay their respects and that it was a touching scene to see the schoolboys, young and old, with tears streaming down their cheeks. The silence of death was upon them. Friday morning brought messages of sympathy from all over the island. The College was closed for 5 days - so were Chundikuli Girls, College and the branch schools at Kopay and Kaithady. After a brief service that evening, the body was carried to the College Hall by the Prefect body, the route being lined by the Cadets, Scouts, and students of St. John's and Chundikuli Girls' Colleges. At the entrance to the hall, they were met by a procession of the staff and students of Jaffna Central College, led by their Principal. Inside the Hall, there was a crowded assembly of friends, Old Boys and parents. The coffin was placed on a catafalque draped in white and surrounded by the traditional "Kuthu Vilaku" of the Tamils. A service was conducted by Rev. J. T. Arulanantham, followed by a special service at the Chapel,

Throughout that night, the Cadets and groups of students, teachers and Old Boys kept watch by turns and knelt in silent prayer. Saturday morning brought several Old Boys and friends from outstations, among whom were His Lordship, Rev. Cecil Douglas Horsely, Bishop of Colombo, Rev. Stopford, Manager of St. John's College and Chairman of the C.M S. Schools, Colombo, Miss. Opie, Principal of Ladies College, Colombo and the Govt. Agent, Mr. Dyson.

Though the funeral service was timed for 8 a.m the College Hall was packed long before 7 a.m and large numbers had to be accommodated outside on either side of the hall while loud speakers were installed to serve them. The funeral service was conducted by the Bishop of Colombo. Rev. Arulanantham speaking on behalf of the staff & students, paid tribute to the life of sacrifice of the late Principal. He said it was amazing that a man who bad his education in one of the public schools of England and at Cambridge University, a man used to vast and ancient buildings of old England, should come over to a little outpost of the Empire and take charge of a school, sacrificing his family life and comforts. The only explanation is that he regarded this work , as a mission assigned to him from above. After this service the coffin draped in the College colours was carried to the Church by the Staff, where the Bishop had another service. After this the coffin was carried by the Old Boys to Rev, Peto's car which had been converted into a hearse, artistically designed. The procession then wended its way to the Church Grave-yard, singing hymns. There was laid to rest within her own walls, the mortal remains of Henry Peto, who had lived and worked for St. John's and who was loved, honoured and revered by her. He is gone but his memory shall for ever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

It is pertinent here to review briefly what Rev. Peto did for St. John's during his 20 years. It will be remembered that when he took office, the fortunes of the College were at a low ebb. With the vigour, energy and optimism that characterised him, Mr. Peto re-organized the teaching of the school, its scheme of work, its literary, religious and social activities so efficiently, that within a couple of years it was evident that St. John's was well on its way not merely to revive its former prestige, but to enter into an inheritance richer and more promising. His ideal of a school head was Dr. Thomas Arnold of Rugby and he wanted to model St. John's according to the Public School traditions of England. One of his most important contributions was the marked improvement in the tone and discipline of the College. He made a clean sweep of all the undesirable elements in the College and insisted on hard work and thoroughness in every-thing. He was a great believer in order, system and discipline. His aim was to create an ordered community at St. John's. A great school is a great set of traditions and the splendid new traditions that Mr. Peto added to the College are those of action, those that serve as the everyday basis of an ordered community. Mr. K. Nesiah in a tribute to Rev. Peto states, "The morning assembly he introduced creates in all members of the school a sense of belonging one to another. The House system he gave touches the springs of loyalty and team spirit; the organisation by which every boy joins in games reveals a wide understanding of the many instruments of education. He enlarged the Prefect Body and made it more democratic and self governing; this system supplies the right leadership to the school community. The Prize day is the presentation to the public of the school in all its beauty, order and achievement. St. John's understood the meaning of these institutions through Mr. Peto and other schools equally valued his ideas".

Rev. Peto organised the Masters' Guild and brought together the staff for religious and devotional purposes, and he set up an Advisory Board consisting of elected members of the Staff, to advise the Principal on all matters referring to school discipline. He made games compulsory for all boys, and took the keenest interest in cadeting and scouting. There was no activity, religious, social, literary or physical in which he did not personally participate or present himself.

Rev. Peto has been called the Centenary Principal. The celebration of the College Centenary in 1924 was perhaps one of his greatest achievements. On that occasion the Ceylon Daily News of 13-6-24 carried a tribute, "Comparisons are odious to be compared and contrasted alike. Yet it could not possibly be derivative of anything but satisfaction to everybody to admit that -first in the North and then in the whole island -St. John's College stands in the front rank of educational, institutions".

The Ceylon Observer, also of 13-6-24 carried the following extract. "We would congratulate Mr. Peto on the unique experience and honour which. as Principal of St. John's the recent celebrations at the College have secured for him, and the high encomiums on the work of the institution which came from the Chief Justice of the Colony, from whom such praise come with singular force".

The date, it will be noticed. strangely coincided with the date of the passing away of Rev. Peto in 1940.

Another milestone in Rev. Peto's career at St. John's was the extension of the school compound. He knew there was opposition to it from some quarters and without doing any violence to the feelings of the well-wishers of the Girls' School, he saw to it that their shifting was made without undue haste and with the gradual approval of all. The results of the move have now been recognised on all sides as nothing but beneficial to both schools. It is well known that Rev. Peto was planning a building programme with the funds collected from the Centenary and Thompson memorial fund, an appreciable part of which came from Malaya, where he himself went on the goodwill and collection tour. A new science laboratory was under consideration and Robert William's Hall was to have been renovated. In fact on the very day of his death, he was superintending the workers who were to have started the renovations the next day, But fate overruled. Who knows to what heights of ascendancy he would have led his school had he lived ? But they die young whom the Gods love and Heaven made him one of her own. But his work was over. It was left to others to build on his efforts. Those who are heirs to the noble traditions he had established, recognise him as a trail-blazer, one who firmly set St. John's on the way to being one of the greatest educational institutions in the island. His life had been another glorious tribute to ,he greatness of the Anglo-Saxon race. And his grave lying under the shadow of the College remains for ever a little bit of England, reminding us of this son of' England who gave himself to the College, Rev. Peto's contemporaries in Jaffna were Rev. Father Mathews of St. Patricks, Rev. John Bicknell of Jaffna College, Rev. P. T. Cash of Jaffna Central College and Miss. L. G. Bookwalter of Uduvil Girls School, to name a few. That they were, all truly interested in the welfare of their schools and their students in particular and in the community around them and education in general, none can deny. Lord Macaulay's famous minute on Education can very well be quoted here, ."It may be that the public mind of India may expand under our system till it has out-grown the system; and by good governrnent we may educate our subjects into a capacity for better government that having become instructed in European knowledge, they may in some future age demand European institutions. Whether such a day will ever come I know not. But never will I to avert or retard it, whenever attempt it comes it will be the proudest day in English history". That this has been the case even after Independence cannot be gain said. And it is due to the efforts of men like Rev. Henry Peto that this is so. Jaffna in particular should be thankful to him and his similar cornpatriots, for the lead in Education they gave her.

Rev. Peto's demise marked the end of an epoch in the history of St. John's College. He was the last of a line of distinguished English Missionaries to have guided the destiny of the College. In 1940, Miss. Northway, the Principal of Girls' College, went on transfer to Sierra Leone to be replaced by a Ceylonese Principal. Rev. Cash of Central College also retired that year. The winds of change were blowing across Asia and the Great War saw to it that things will never be the same again. The College lost a good friend when its Manager, Rev. Stopford, Chairman of 'the C.M. S. Schools had to go as Principal to Achimota in the Gold Coast (Ghana). As Chairman of the governing Body of St. John's, he had recommended a separate Board of Governors for the College. He later went on to become Bishop of London.

In 1940, death robbed St. John's of two of her loyal Old Boys, Dr. A. N. Cumaraswamy and Rev. Dr. Isaac Tambiah. Both had been active members in the 0. B. A. for several years and their deaths were a loss to the College

Thus when Rev. J. T. Arulanantham took over as Acting Principal in 1940, he virtually started a new era.








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