From the 125th Anniversary souvenir

One of the greatest of the many Principals, men as well as women in whom our Methodist School's glory was the Revd Henry Highfield. His birth centenary, as a grateful Custom ordains, is now been g observed by" the boys of Wesley through the land", and their families join with them in recalling and extolling the memory of a devoted teacher, a friend of our people and a Man of God. His was a long crowded and selfless life. The first thirty years were spent at Kingswood, Bath. where he was a contemporary of the equally famous Darrell, also destined for Ceylon, and at London and Cambridge Universities. There he distinguished himself in Classics and English, did examining work for London and discovered his mission as a teacher. At the age thirty he came to Ceylon and Wesley, which he made his home for the next thirty years: in 1925 at the age of sixty he decided the time had come for him to retire. Back to England There was some talk of his being appointed Minister in charge al Kollupitiya, but Kollupitiya is too near Karlsruhe Gardens, and ex-Principals, once they retire, are wise to make the severance complete. He, therefore. got back to England. Here he continued his service as a diligent Pastor, caring for his people and, with his faithful bicycle to carry him to hiss work as in Ceylon. That bicycle had made history. It transformed Wesley, metaphorically, from brick to marble, from dust and dilapidation of Dam Street to airy and solid buildings in Karlsrhue Gardens. It was an exhausting form of transport but economical, and it enabled him to go round the country raising funds for new buildings. The Methodist Mission, generous as ever, had promised Rs 5 for every rupee raised locally and thus contributed the major part of the cost, 2 1/2 lakhs for the Rs 38.000 he raised. He adopted a technique which proved fruitful. If a man wrote down Rs 50 on the paper "to pay later" he would ask" and how much can you give me now?" lie might answer "Rs.10". Highfield would then say "Thanks, I'll take that" and thus, instead of the paper promises, in which we are very lavish, he got spot cash and a lot of it. New building One November day in 1905 the foundation stone was laid and the new building opened in 1907. I remember that ceremony, being taken there by my father. And the crowd of notabilities who were present. Among them was a galaxy of local ministers, the Ferdinandos, the de Silva's the Nonis's and the Wickremeratnes, the de Silvas (then as now prominent in the church) the Gogerlys, Pereras, and the Nathaniels, who rejoiced in the more stately mansions. now opening for their children and people. It is men, however, more than buildings that make a College. Mr. Highfield gathered round him capable teachers, men of personality, prominent among them C.P. Dias, City Father and Lay Reader at Holy Trinity and the spruce. W. E. Mack, whose invaluable assistance he greatly appreciated. But he himself was the greatest among them. He loved teaching and his happiest hours were those he spent with his sixth form, teaching Latin or English (to a select few) Greek which he preferred to

P.Harold Nonis - Remembered by Edmund Dissanayake.

Harold Nonis began his association with Wesley as a student in 1918. He rejoined the staff of Wesley as a teacher in 1924. He was a graduate of the London University. In 1930 he was appointed as Vice Principal and was the first Ceylonese to hold this position. From 1938 to 1940 he was acting Principal. He was a first ever Old Boy to be appointed Principal. In 1942 Kingswood College needed a Principal and Harold Nonis was the obvious choice. He returned to Wesley as Principal and his last years of service was at Wesley from 1957 to 1961. During his tenure he was able to publish the school magazine without a break, and also for the first time involved the students in its publication. Previously the publication of the magazine was entirely handled by the staff. It was in 1961, that the Methodist Synod decided to run Wesley as a Private non-fee Levying School. From the point of view of Finances the early years were difficult ones but due to the dedication of several concerned persons the school was able to withstand the stresses and strains, and survived this period. As a student Harold Nonis had the distinction of winning the highest award, the Hill Medal both in 1920 and 1921. He captained the Cricket Team in 1921, and he will be remembered for his glorious century against St.Joseph's. In the Centenary Year 1974, he was the obvious choice to lead the "Captains Team" against the "Rest" skippered by the 'mercurial' M. Sathasivarn. In 1934 the Principal Rev.Dalby stated in his Annual Report, "Mr. Nonis fills the Post of Vice- Principal with vigour and ability. His wisdom and energy are a great source of help to me and contribute much to the smooth working and increasing efficiency of the School One of the outstanding achievements of Harold Nonis was the securing of the present Pavilion at Campbell Park, which he purchased from the Tamil Union for a sum of Rs. 10,000. This was a colossal sum of money 59 years ago, but because of Harold Nonis' untiring efforts, with the active support of the staff, spear headed by Miss. Iris Blacker, who organised the sale of ice-cream and short eats, it was possible to raise this sum of money. Today the OWSC has a new Pavilion named the "Wesley College- M. H. Mohamed Pavilion" In this connection, it should be mentioned that M.H.Mohammed played an invaluable role in securing Campbell Park for the exclusive use of Wesley College as its sports grounds Harold Nonis passed away in 1980 and his remains were taken to the College Hall so that Wesleyites past and present could pay their respects to a past Principal. He played a straight bat both literally and metaphorically.

On Wesley's James Cartman by Shelton Peiris

After many years of prayer and labour, death gently touched his brow to sleep On the 2nd of March 1998, Wesley completed 124 years of vibrant existence, and in this context, it was sad to record the passing away, of the Rev James Cartman, on the 28th of January 1998. James Cartman CBE BA BD MA Mth, was born on the 5th of August 1910; the only child of Fred and Anne Cartman, in Ashton - Under Lyme - Lancashire. In his childhood he attended the Church of England School in Aston. The family later moved to Hyde - Cheshire, where his father was the organist, at the local Methodist Church. Young James became a Methodist. He was a very accomplished youth leader and contributed much to the development of youth. After leaving school he was attached to a firm, as a Trainee Manager. It was at this firm too the Winifred Berth Holland worked. Some year later, this friendship was destined to end in marriage. James Cartman was a sportsman and played cricket for the local club and displayed much prowess in the game, but however, this potential was not fully developed as he, at the age of 20, decided to be ordained in the Ministry of the Church.

He entered training at Victoria Park Theological College in Manchester. At the same time he enrolled at the Manchester University and obtained a BA degree. At the closing months at the Theological college there was an appeal for ordained men to go and work overseas as Missionaries. In 1937 he was a fully ordained Minister and James and Winifred were married in August of that year. The Rev. James Cartman made a specific appeal and request to serve as Missionary in Ceylon as Educational Missionary. In the same year he followed a post graduate training course in education at Selly Oak's College and in August 1938 months he was appointed Principal to the Batticaloa Central College. Their only child Christine Jennifer (now Mrs. Weaver) was born in Ceylon. The Rev. James Cartman was appointed General Manager of the Methodist Schools in Batticaloa, and was also a Consultant to the Education Office at Batticaloa.

He was also Deputy Civil Defence Commissioner for Batticaloe and in those war yea working relentlessly, helping the Common Wealth survivors of the vessels sunk by the Japanese off the East Coast of Ceylon. In recognition of his devotion and loyalty he was awarded the Defence Medal. Returning to London on furlough, he worked tirelessly among the evacuees from the Cities. The Rev James Cartman found time to study for the Bachelor of Divinity exam of the University of London and was one of five, to obtain the first class honours. James Cartman however, could at the civil Defence Desks. Cartman was faced with a near impossible task of getting back Wesley's buildings at Karlsrhue and the playing fields which also had been acquired by the Military where buildings had been erected.

It was the Rev. Cartman's persistent pleas, his personality and integrity, blended with tact, that moved the South East Asian command under Admiral Mountbatten, to release the Karlsrhue building and the playing fields. On receiving these back, there was the gigantic task of fitting and refurbishing the buildings yet reeking with the stench of death. Rev. James Cartman strove with fervour to carry out repairs and demolishing structures put up within the building. The entire place had once more to be made suitable for a school community. It certainly was gruelling- work. Cartman had a trusted group of Senior students who worked with pride to restore the school. It was on December 3rd 1945. with much of the work completed Cartman led from Kittiyakara a procession of students and teachers and other staff with the College flag held high, and Wesley was re-occupied with joy and pride with the Rev. Basil Jackson conducting a short service of thanksgiving. Like Highfield of Wesley, Wesley's Cartman, had to find accommodation to house the growing numbers.

This Cartman did subsequently. The Rev. Cartman worked feverishly to restore Wesley's credibility and stability. He prepared students in spite of the lack of teaching material, may of whom gained admission to the University. He always recognized the vital contribution sports played in making "the whole man". Students excelled in sports and displayed brilliance in the classroom - certainly there was excellence both in 'mart and hall' there was an excellent balance a restoration of value and acceptance of dignity, a recognition of each others religious convictions. A blending of traditions with new outlooks of a post war period that was at that time called as even now and no doubt will be projected to the future, as the 'Cartman Era". Cartman was also a builder. The new floor which now houses in part the Cartman Library and the Science Rooms.

He also compiled that monumental volume - the History of Wesley College, both of which stand out as outstanding events at Wesley's Diamond Jubilee in 1949. Cartman was undoubtedly the Apostle of Restoration. Striving for excellence in whatever he attempted.. The Rev. Cartman had an abundance of best and a wide field of interest - he was the first President of the public School's Cricket Association, he was member of the first Board of control for Cricket, an enthusiastic visitor appointed to the Remand prison at Welikada, for many years. He was also a member of the Western programme committee of Broadcasting and was a member of the Head Masters Conference, he was a keen cricketer. He was indeed a person blessed with many skills as this brief note strives to record. He was a keen student of Buddhism and Hinduism and published the book" Hinduism in Ceylon" which he dedicated 'to his students in Jaffna, Batticaloe and Colombo".

Both he and Mrs. Cartman were members of the Kollupitiya - Maradana Choral Society. On relinquishing his duties as Principal of Wesley in August 1949 he was invited by the then Prime Minister the Rt. Hon.D.S.Senanayake to work not resist for long the lure of Ceylon and returned in March 1945 to assume duties as Principal of the war ravaged Wesley College - housed at Kittiyakara, where students were also in Cadjan sheds with no proper equipment, and a woeful lack of the Senior Teachers, who were yet in Ceylon House as Educational Officer Ceylon High commission, London. His work was outstanding. He was awarded the OBE in June 1955. James Cartman was a unique person. When one assess the influence and the importance of James Cartman on his students his sincerity in his service oriented efforts, one stands astonished and even bewildered Nor are these the only standards by which one can judge James Cartman. We recall his numerous talents as Administrator, Guru, Counsellor, guide and friend.

As students, he was our here, as colleagues he was our guide and friend. His qualities of head and heart endeared he never flourished his authority in dealing with either the young or the old "Carty" as he was so affectionately known to us, built his team in trust setting the example of service himself. We appreciate at all times his scholarship and sportsmanship. It is worthy of record that when he was stationed in Oporto, Portugal there were heavy floods in Ceylon in 1957. He wrote to the news papers there and spoke about the earlier connections between Portugal and Ceylon and asked for their help for the flood victims here. A substantial amount was collected and he mentioned that "it was sent to Sir Oliver" Such was his love and affection for our Country. His strong qualities of Christian commitment underlines all his efforts. He had a deep love for Wesley. The Cartmans' moved to Crondall. His retirement saw his interest in other fields.

He was the elder Pastor, to many of the younger clergy, in Crondall, Ewershot and Oldham. Rev. Cartman was deeply involved with the International Church Society and also Chaplain for the Saga Holiday Tours, nor did he loose his interest in sports-playing and watching Cricket and Tennis. He spent his last five years at Manormant in Hindhead, a Nursing Home for clergymen. After a private cremation at Aldershot crematorium, there was a well attended Memorial Service, which was conducted by Rev. Paul Rich, Vicar of Crondall and Eweshot. The Venerable Leonard Tyler, a family friend, gave the address which included Rev. Cartman's work as a Missionary Educationalist in Sri Lanka and his keen interest in sports which he maintained up to the time of his illness. Christine Weaver, Rev. Cartman's daughter and his grandson read the lessons. The hymn for Ceylon was also sung. The Old Boys of the U.K. Branch represented the other branches. The Rev. James Cartman at all time played a straight bat. During the long years of his incapacitation. Mrs. Cartman and Christine and other members gave him their attention, love and time. With wife, Winifred and daughter Christine and his loved ones, we share the pang of parting yet we are comforted by the Psalmist's declaration "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Godly ones".

Cedric Oorloff - The Man - by Radley Claessen. JP. - (South Australia)

January 1953

When I left College to seek employment, I wrote to Mr. Oorloff and received a handwritten reply in which he said: " if all I have done is to teach you to take myself as a model, then my teaching has gone astray, the one job of a Christian schoolmaster is to lead men to our Lord, not to himself, and if you have not done so already, Radley, go the New Testament for your model....." That in a nutshell typifies the person he was. I still have that letter, which I shall always cherish. Cedric J. Oorloff was the first Ceylonese and the first layman to be appointed Principal of Wesley and the third longest Serving such appointment in Wesley's history behind The Rev'd Henry Highfield (30 years) and Mr. Shelton Wirasinghe (21 years).

He was a strict disciplinarian to the extent of being disliked or feared at times. He walked always head held high and with measured step; he spoke fluently with an Oxford drawl; he emitted an aura of sternness - some- times terrifying; but beneath this disciplined and regimented Civil Service exterior was a caring an compassionate spirit - the real man, a man I had the good fortune to get to know and to whom I am honoured to pay this tribute, a task certainly would not have undertaken if I did not feel strongly enough. I was privileged, perhaps lucky, to have been a Senior student during his initial years as Principal of Wesley and to be touched by his influence. Mine are a pupil's views of one of my teachers who I admired and respected. I express them purely as I .saw them and with the awareness that some, who perhaps knew him better may or may not agree. He was a gentle giant in many ways and a man with a mission - a mission which not only drew inspiration from the Christian faith but also inspired his peers and pupils with it. If I were asked to single out one person who had the biggest impact on my college career, I would have little hesitation, if any, in naming him as that person. Although this pupil teacher association existed for only for my last three years at Wesley.

He was a perfectionist in every way and always strove to instil in the hearts and minds of teachers and pupils that, as he once put it, "only perfection is adequate." He came to Wesley with high ideals of achievement in academic and sports. Whether or not he was able to take Wesley to the heights of those aspirations is for us to assess. But one thing is certain, if he did fail, it was definitely not due to lack of selfless commitment, for he gave up a lucrative and illustrious Civil Service and foreign Office career lo lead the College during some difficult years. Some may say that it was his period at Wesley and the experience he gained there that made him a good Principal, for it was at Trinity College, I have heard it said that he really shone. Perhaps his years at Wesley constituted a learning process' and I suspect that he came to realise that sports achievement, undoubtedly the product of strict discipline, good coaching and much effort, was as important as and sometimes of more promotional value to a .school than academic attainment. Be that as it may, it was at the commencement of his tenure of office as Principal (1950-1957) that Wesley began to emerge as a leader in a changing Government- initiated education strategy, which included the registration of the College as an Assisted School, the establishment of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction and the introduction of a public examination to qualify for promotion to the Senior Secondary School.

He was responsible for launching an Extension Fund to provide new buildings to accommodate swelling student numbers and was at the helm also during Wesley's ascendancy in the field of sports. Was it then a mere coincidence or the strange irony of fate that Wesley's prominence in Sri Lanka's education and sports landscape began in the early 1950's often referred as its 'Golden Years'? I doubt it! Many suspected that the way he spoke was 'put on'; sure it was - initially, I, too, entertained this suspicion until I plucked up enough courage one day to ask him if it were so. He confided that, like me. he too, was a stammerer and it was to overcome this impediment that he decided to cultivate an accent which was foreign to him so much so that because of its use through the years it became part and parcel of his normal speech. He encouraged me to try it and, with the cooperation of my classmates, it was not long after that I won Wesley's coveted "Donhorst Oratorical Prize and was runner-up in Radio Ceylon's public Schools' Elocution Contest. I do not think many knew this of the Late Mr. Oorloff. However, I believe he would not mind, if he were here today, to my sharing this with readers particularly if it were to help even a few affected with the same impediment.

He became an outstanding administrator but he was born to be an equally committed Christian teacher, who had a deep-rooted respect for the young and the family unit as the core of society. Despite the image he tried lo portray, he never lost the common touch. Those who though he was difficult to approach were completely wrong. Being frank and firm he espoused and expected the .same in others. He was indeed a product of his time, the values of which he vigorously upheld with a sincerity which only people of strong conviction can comprehend and admire. The measure of the man is that he did not seek or take credit for any of Wesley's attainments. Neither did he try to carve for himself a place in its history. However, he worked as hard as his illustrious predecessors with humility, and the desire to advance - not outclass; to improve not out shine; to develop not outdo. He was always the First to acknowledge the assistance and guidance he received from his peers and this was clear in his first prize Giving Address when he paid high tribute to his immediate predecessor The Rev. James Cartman, his able lieutenant Mr. Kenneth de Lanerolle upon whom the mantle of acting principal fell, retired Headmaster Mr. Eric Gunasekera, and many other members of the staff, and also Old Boys.

He stooped to 'touch' all of us who need his help and he knelt with us as we tried to reach our Creator. In his concluding remarks in his first prize Giving Address at Wesley, he used this quotation: "The hand of God it is that guides and it is the hand of God that can adapt to every kind of tool." May its message continue to guide past and present Wesleyites as well as the destiny of our Alma Mater in a changed and changing world, for as the British poet and clergyman Charles Kingsley once wrote ; 'From Thee all skill and science flow....." ORA ET LABORA

Addendum

Mr.C.J.Oorloff at Trinity College Kandy

C.J. Oorloff, as Principal of Trinity College(1957-1968).

His appointment was a very wise decision, for the new Principal was a mature man with a very fine record as a high-ranking civil servant. He headed Wesley College, Colombo before he came to Trinity. In his day the country was perhaps going through its most difficult period, as anti-British policies were fashionable and national feelings were roused sometimes reaching hysterical proportions. Even the right to survive as an independent school was challenged, with many schools in the education system being taken over by the government, but Trinity College remained as it was. Mr. Oorloff's policy of quiet dignified management paid ample dividends. It was indeed a period of stabilization. He was able to accommodate changes taking place in the country whilst maintaining all that was best in the history of Trinity.

Mr. Oorloff retired after 12 years

Arthur Shelton Wirasinghe by Kumar De Silva

It was mid December 1961. The air had taken on a familiar chill as it usually does around that time of the year. And as the Christmas wind furiously roared through the numerous trees that grace its spacious gardens, 'Karlsruhe House' awaited its new master. Driving up the incline which led to the house, past the sprawling green expanse of lawn, and into the wide columned portico, together with his family, was Arthur Shelton Wirasinghe, the man who was to preside over 'Karlshrue House' and head Wesley College for a memorable and eventful 21 years. "It was the Revd Fred de Silva who put the challenge to me to head a non-fee levying school. And so I took it on in 1962", Shelton Wirasinghe once recalled. A month later at 5.00 pm on January 15th 1962, With none less than the Revds W. J. T. Small and Fred de Silva present, the College hall saw the solemn induction of Wesley's 15th Principal. "This is the moment of rededication in my life. it is my hope and prayer that this school will be allowed lo function by the state in an atmosphere of freedom. Education does not end with the gaining of jobs. it is much more than that. Education is the training and discipline of the entire person ", were his words that evening.

My earliest recollections of ASW date back to 1968 when as a five-year old in Grade One, I was mortally terrified of this big burly man whose stentorian voice boomed through the corridors along which he strode with military precision. We always fled into hiding whenever even a speck of him became visible in the vicinity. My first direct verbal encounter with "principal" I think was in Grade 3' We had all heard that following year's class teacher, Mrs. Nirmali Fernando. She had been our class teacher the previous year, and we wanted her the following year too (three years in a row). But Miss Mary M and her passionately hated umbrella loomed large in our horizons. No one had dared telling the Principal what to do and whom to appoint where. But it had to be done and I was the one to do it. I remember summoning a fistful of courage, inching into the principals office and saying teacher and NOT Miss MM next year". I expected him to explode, but he merely beamed in amusement and gently said. "We'll see putha". Sad to say we did get Miss Mary M. and that umbrella for a whole nightmarish year. That fright and shy withdrawal gradually diminished over the years as I came more into contact with the man in the higher classes. I discovered in him a warm heart and a wonderful capacity of reaching out to anyone-from kindergarten kid to school leaver.

My classmates and I greatly benefited by having ASW teach us for the NCGE, our first big public exam. I consider myself even more fortunate in having him teach me English for the GCE Advanced Level examination. I was the sole student offering English at College that year and so it was like private tuition. English lessons were always double periods before the interval. He never heard the bell ring nor see his wristwatch as tick away. And so our dramatic exploits into the world of literature continued right throughout the interval while fellow classmates ate, drank and made merry. To him it was more a sharing of knowledge rather than imparting or instructing it. So much so that the vast treasure trove of his personal library which he loved, was always open to me from my AL days until I completed my final examination at university a month before his demise in November 1985. Such was the generosity, characteristic of the warm man he was. Born on 24th November 1923 in a house at the foot of Richmond Hill, Galle, a four-year old Arthur Shelton began scrawling his ABCs and 1,2,3s at Richmond College under whose portals he was later to pass as prefect, senior prefect, staff master.

Headmaster, vice Principal and finally Principal. His meteoric rise at College was punctuated by successes in almost every field. Fie was the indefatigable chorister, debator, dramatist, .scout, athlete, musician, cricketer and .scholar. His relatively easy stride in the academic sphere was crowned when he was awarded the College's much-coveted Darrel Medal for the Best Student. In 1942, he offered English, Latin and History for his first degree which he passed with an upper second Tempered by the inspiring influence of Principal like the Revd. Alex Sneath, Revd. John Dalby and (my father's first cousin) E. R. de Silva, such was the many- faceted career which did his Alma Mater proud. Gently spurning parental wishes that he become a lawyer or civil servant, Shelton Wirasinghe gave vent to his love for teaching. His first teaching assignment was at St Anthony's School, Rakwana. But consequently contracting cerebral malaria, he had to leave. Coming down to Colombo, he served for a short spell at St Peter's College where he taught English and History in the HSC and SSC forms. 1947 saw Richmond College proudly welcome him as vice Principal. Shortly afterwards he left for Birmingham to obtain a post graduate certificate in education.

He read up to the MA (Ed) and even bagged the George Cadbury Prize for the Best Student of the Year. Returning down South to hometown Galle, ASW assumed duties as Principal of Richmond until 1961, soon after which he moved to Wesley in the same capacity. ASW's teaching has become all the more personal in that it has spanned two generations of my family. He first taught my late father Justin at Richmond College Galle and then my brother Nimal and my self at Wesely. In fact many years later, my father was to serve on the staff of Wesley and under ASW. ASW had a marvellous and wizardly way of inculcating in one, an undying interest in and love for the English language, literature, poetry ... it came spontaneously to him. And I was all the more richer by it. His passion for the arts was highly contagious and infectious. Coming much into contact with him, I found a great deal of it rubbing on me too.

Most students couldn't help but be caught up in the overwhelming tide of interest that swept them off their feet. To hear the man speak was another treat. Hours have we spent listening to his crystal clear enunciated words and perfect pronunciation. If to the Richmondites, a picture of a Principal who spent his evenings on the playing fields in a pair o; billowing old khaki shorts "of 1931 vintage" is what SW conjures up, we Wesleyites associate him with a bespectacled, bush-shirted man whose simplicity an( relative modestly earned for him the love and respect of his students. A Richmondite had once written "Looking at that picture which hangs on the wall, who would have though that the rather gawky lad with a huge nose and large spectacles would turn out to be this man .... it is not just enough to hear of Shelton, you must see him in his many dimensional glory. How very true this is.

Kenneth M de Lanerolle by The Editor 125th Anniversary

Mr.Lanerolle functioned as Vice Principal under Revd. James Cartman. He was a tower of strength to him. The personal interest he took in the welfare of students endeared him to all. Mr. Lanerolle is a Graduate of the University of London, and holds a M. A. Degree from the University of Michigan in Linguistics. He is a Fellow of the Geographical Society. He is recognised as an outstanding Educationist. After his retirement as Principal of Kingswood College and Carey College, he was invited twice to Wesley as Principal in 1984 and in 1988. He is a well known public speaker, Broadcaster, Singer, Actor, and Writer, Among his works are " Southern River ", " Princess in all the Earth ", and "Names to remember". He spent his latter years in a retirement home and departed this life in May 2001. There is a fuller account in the 'Memoriam' page of this website.