×

Online PaymentS

Will be available soon

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College, Kandy Respice Finem

T +94 70 6 65 65 65
Email: info@trinitycollege.lk

Trinity College, Kandy
262, D S Senanayake Veediya, Kandy 20000, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Open in Google Maps
CALL: +94 70 6 65 65 65
  • ONLINE PAYMENTS
  • Home
  • About Trinity
    • Principal
    • Chapel
      • Choir
    • Sections
      • Kindergarten
      • Junior School
      • International Qualifications
    • Ryde Gold Medal
    • The College Hymn
    • The College Song
    • Office 365
      • Office 365 Portal
        • Microsoft Teams on Web
        • Office Applications
          • Microsoft Word
          • Microsoft Excel
          • Microsoft PowerPoint
        • Outlook on Web
        • OneNote on Web
        • OneDrive on Web
        • Microsoft SharePoint
        • Microsoft Planner
        • Microsoft Sway
        • Microsoft Yammer
      • Learning at Home
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Support Tutorials
        • College Email Accounts
        • Microsoft Teams
  • News
    • The TrinitianNew
    • News & Articles
      • College News
      • General Articles
    • Careers
    • Gallery
  • Events
  • Trinity 150
    • T150 College Celebrations
      • MemorabiliaNew
    • Trinity History Project
    • Trinity150 Infrastructure Projects
  • Branding
    • Brand Property Guidelines
      for Public Reference
    • Identity Guidelines
      for Clubs, Societies and Sports
Website Admin
Monday, 11 June 2018 / Published in General Articles, Junior Literary Association, Middle School, News

An interview with our gap year English teacher Edward Gomm

Most people outside would not know that we have gap year English teachers from the UK helping out in school, and apart from the Upper School students he teaches, the rest of us might not know Mr. Ed Gomm too well.

We at the Junior Trinity College Literary Association thought why not interview him and see what he really feels about the College and his stay at Trinity. He joined us for an interesting interview and we were impressed by what he had to say:

How long have you been in Sri Lanka?

I arrived in Sri Lanka on the 2nd of September last year [2017]. So, about 9 months so far.

Which part of the UK are you from?

I am from a small little county in England called, ‘Rutland’. It’s right in the middle of Britain. It’s also called the ‘East Midlands’.

What do you think of Trinity? What got you interested to come here and teach?

I think teaching is a potential career path of myself. Instead of travelling after University, my mother asked, “Why not work and travel at the same time?” It so happened that the Principal is a close friend of ours. So, we got in touch with him, sent a few mails up and down and two months later here I am!

What do you think of the boys here at Trinity?

The boys here are nice but irritating at times like any other school boy, like I once was.  But they all have ‘Hearts of Gold’. And, they are always willing to stick up for each other. That’s the reason why Trinitians have got a good reputation.

Like I said they are all lovely guys!

What do you think about the extension of school hours and the introduction of clubs and societies during the lunch break?

I think it’s important that clubs and societies have been introduced. My old school clubs and societies were very important for all round development. So there’s no point (in my eyes) being an excellent academic or an excellent sportsman, if you can’t then balance it out with other interests and passions. It won’t get you the distance you want to go in life.

And, school going on until 3 o’clock doesn’t bother me, because when I was your age sometimes I finished school at 6pm and started at 8am. So you guys complaining about 3 o’clock, you don’t know nothing!

How would you describe Prince Edward’s visit? Have you met Royalty before?

No, this was my first time I met royalty. It was a lovely occasion. Not very often do you get to meet Royalty and speak to them in person. And it was Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence, so all in all it was a lovely day.

Any sports you take an interest in?

I like lots of sports. I rate myself distinctly average in most sports apart from rugby and water polo, which are my two main sports. I joined the 1st XV team in their training sessions as well.

I like playing hockey and cricket, although I’m not very good at them. But I HATE football. One of the very few Englishmen who hates football.

You helped us with our drama The Secret Case of Sherlock Holmes. Any other extra-curricular activities you take an interest in?

I haven’t actually participated in many extra-curricular activities other than sports. But if the opportunity arises I would love to take part, and the drama was fantastic. After I made corrections to your pronunciation and accent, I thought the drama really changed quite a lot. Very funny from the start to the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

How different is Trinity from the school you attended?

Very different. My school had 1,100 students. It was a mixed school. I joined in Year 6, so I studied there for 8 years. We also had ‘Saturday School’, an idea that most of you boys would hate. It was very different, but both equally good.

Which part of your stay did you enjoy the most?

So far, I’ve not liked the rainy season, limits what I can do. Obviously, living away from home, there’s been ups and downs. But, it’s definitely been a fine experience and wonderful memories. Very fortunate to travel around the country with the school, and able to help out the way I can. Lots of treasured memories that I can take back home.

Which section of Trinity attracted you the most?

When I first came here I was told to help in the Junior School, but due to my temperament and the way I am, personally I didn’t think I would be best utilized down there. Ever since then I’ve been teaching English in the Upper School.

I’ve loved coaching Rugby to the U12s. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that. But, I’m happy to go any way. It’s all lovely and extremely friendly.

We gained a lot from your stay here, what did you gain from working at College, anything you didn’t expect?

PATIENCE. I had the worst patience. Trinity has taught me to be a very patient guy. There’s a very special bond between everyone in this school which is lovely.

I’ve just grown up a lot and learnt to be more mature. Trinity has given me a lot of responsibilities and I’d like to think that I’ve left a good mark and an impact in the school.

How was the Hostel?

The hostel has got a giant screen tv, a jacuzzi…….. No, it doesn’t……….

Ha-ha, It’s been perfect. I’ve got a lovely comfy bed, a warm shower (which no Sri Lankan seems to like!) I’ve got a small fridge, a kettle, my cup of tea in the morning. It’s got everything I need.

Was it easy to settle down here in Sri Lanka? How long did it take?

Couple of weeks. There was the excitement. Being away from mum and dad, living on my own. Different country, different culture. That whole excitement of learning about a new culture. Being in a completely new environment I’ve never been before. So that was really exciting. But, suddenly you feel “Oh God, I miss home!”

So, I think after about a month or so I started to find my stride, luckily there has been amazing members of the staff, the boys – they really helped me settle in. To be honest it’s a constant process of settling in.

How has the food been compared to what you get in the UK? We heard about your first meal on the Chapel lawn and how you acted after you ate the kiribath, anything you can say about that?

So, a quick story.

Back in England, I was rubbish with spicy food. The spiciest food I could eat was a chilli flavoured packet of crisps.

After the Staff Chapel Service it was my first time meeting everyone. A lovely breakfast laid out, and they warned me that the kiribath and the sambol might be a bit spicy. I thought, I could do a ‘bit spicy’. I didn’t know what you guys meant as a ‘bit spicy’. So, I bit into what I thought was a piece of chicken, but it turned out to be a pepper. My face just turned red and I started to cry.

At this point they thought it would be nice to introduce me to the Vice Principal. So, with the greatest difficulty I put my words together and said, “Hi, I’m Ed.” But, I couldn’t say anything after that cause my mouth was on fire.

Luckily now, I’m good with spicy food. But, that was an absolutely horrible first experience of Sri Lankan food.

What is your favourite book?

Oh, my favourite book is ‘The Power of One’ by Bryce Courtenay. It’s about a young South African boy. I would recommend it to any one.

Who is your favourite author?

C. J. Sansom. He is Scottish writer who wrote many historical crime novels.

How has Trinity treated you? Any regrets in coming to Trinity?

No, no regrets. I try to live life without regret. Like I said, the school has been very welcoming. If I needed help the staff never hesitated to do so. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I hope the final two months would be a nice ‘Cherry on the Top of the Cake’ to round off what I think has been a fantastic year!  Also, I hope the boys have enjoyed their time during my presence.

How has the weather treated you?

I still can’t cope. It’s far too hot sometimes. Anything over 27C or 28C is far too hot for me. The weather was a culture shock. As I stepped out of the plane in Colombo this wave of heat just smacked me in the face. I started sweating. So that was a wake up call for me to start changing my choice of clothing.

What do you think is lacking in Trinity?

The one thing I have noticed is that the boys are afraid to ask questions when they don’t understand. They should realize it’s okay not to know something. No one will make fun and laugh at them. So, I think they should lose their fear and stick their hand up if they don’t understand something.

When are you planning on leaving?

Term ends on the 3rd of August. I have a flight at 3 am on the 4th, so right after the term ends.

Any plans on coming back?

Well,  unfortunately not to teach. But, I’d love to come back to Sri Lanka and visit all my friends here and see if any of the boys I met are still schooling.

As for the very last question, if you were to rate Trinity say from a scale of 1-10, how would you rate it?

An easy 10. Trinity has been very kind to me, although at times it has been tough. I can’t fault anything.

 

The Junior Trinity College Literary Association would like to thank Mr. Ed Gomm for taking time off his busy schedule to be with us and share his experience in Sri Lanka and, of course, at Trinity.

Interviewed by Abidh Jameel and Kevin Tennekoon (Junior Trinity College Literary Association).

What you can read next

New furniture for Grades 6 and 7 classrooms
Trinity150 – Progress Review – January to February 2020
Our personal experience of learning online

COLLEGE NEWS

  • Trinity-Thomian Weekend 2023March 13, 2023
  • The Sesquicentennial Anniversary Prize Giving 2022 – reviewedMarch 13, 2023
  • T150 Sesquicentennial Anniversary Prize Giving ReportFebruary 26, 2023
  • Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association Camp at Trinity Eco Learning Arena [TELA] February 19, 2023

SPORTS NEWS

  • Trinity Cricketers win against Royal College Colombo at the Under 19 Division Tier A Two Day Tournament 2022/2023March 10, 2023
  • Trinity Under 18 Football team wins against Wickramabahu National College Gampola – SLFA 3rd RoundMarch 10, 2023
  • Trinity wins SLSFA Under 16 Kandy Zonal Football TournamentMarch 10, 2023
  • Trinity Basketball Players emerge winners at the U16 Central Zone Baskteball TournamentMarch 6, 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES NEWS

  • HELIOS Extinguished – Trinity College Gavelliers reign as the forerunners at the All-Island CompetitionsMarch 19, 2023
  • A Bid Farewell: Colombo Model United Nations 2023March 18, 2023
  • Road to Pallekele – The first School MTB (Mountain Bike) Track at PallekeleMarch 18, 2023
  • TCMUN Dominates at the Mahamaya MUN Conference ‘23March 17, 2023

Trinity on Instagram

trinitycollege.lk

Exploring Vistas of Excellence since 1872

Trinity College Kandy
A major #throwback to The Blend from Thrithva Rang A major #throwback to The Blend from Thrithva Ranga 2017!Here's a LIVE performance of Gratitude - (Amin Toofani) - A solo cover by Akila GunawardhanaListen to the track on our SoundCloud page!#trinitycollegelk #thrithvaranga #theblend #gratitude #guitar #cover #song #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
The Cross and Triumph of Christ - A Lenten Meditat The Cross and Triumph of Christ - A Lenten Meditation and Easter Reflection in Music, Lesson and Prayer will take place on 02 April 2023, 6.30pm at the Trinity College Chapel, Kandy.The service will feature the music of Handel, Bach, Mozart, Kendrick, Dubra, Gjeilo and well loved Hymns#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #crossandtriumphofchrist #service #easter #lenten #music #lesson #prayer #handel #bach #mozart #kendrick
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sr The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Maged Mosleh paid a courtesy visit to Trinity College on Friday, the 17th of March 2023.Following the cordial discussions with the Principal on matters related to education and culture, the Ambassador had a guided tour of premises with Mr. Shane De Silva.#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #visit #ambassaodor #egyptian
Trinity College PROMWEB is excited to announce the Trinity College PROMWEB is excited to announce the screening of the Oscar winning documentary 'Elephant Whisperers' taking place on Tuesday, 28th of March 2023, 2.30pm at the Trinity College Media Studio (Near the College Library).We are inviting interested students from Grade 9 and Upwards - to register yourself via the Microsoft Form at www.bit.ly/promwebreg01 on or before 23 March 2023.Limited registrations available!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #documentary #screenings
From the #GavelClubPost completion of the prelim From the #GavelClubPost completion of the preliminary rounds and semi-finals of HELIOS 22 organized by the Gavel Club of Hillwood College Kandy the finale was set on the 11th of March 2023.At the playoffs of the HELIOS Interschool Competition 22 our very own Trinity College Gavelliers with their zealous drive ran the show with finalists Masters Isija Thilakrathne and Yeshan Ranatunga emerging with podium finishes.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #gavelclub #winners #trinity #college #kandy
TCMUN, in its short but vivid history has thrived, TCMUN, in its short but vivid history has thrived, gaining recognition for being daring and relentless. The names of Bilaal Marikar, Malaka Samarasinghe and Lukman Hassan have resonated in the conference halls of Sri Lanka. And this year’s participation in Colombo Model United Nations (COMUN) marked another significant milestone.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #modelunitednations #tcmun #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
The Trinity College Cycling Club completed an exci The Trinity College Cycling Club completed an exciting mission on March 6, 2023 at the Trinity Eco Learning Arena (TELA).The goal of the club was to create the first MTB (Mountain Bike) Track that a Sri Lankan School has opened. The project was aimed at providing an ideal experience for MTB riders of all skill levels while ensuring their safety.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #cyclingclub #MTBtrack #trinity #college #kany #srilanka
The Trinity College Model United Nations Club show The Trinity College Model United Nations Club showcased an impressive performance, with its delegates dominating all 6 committees of the conference at the Mahamaya MUN Conference ‘23.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #mun #tcmun #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
Load More Follow us on Instagram

TRINITY COLLEGE ON FLICKR

    Browse Our Gallery

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    3 days ago#repost from @TimesOnlineLKSuren Ratwatte writes about the violent chapter in the history of the British Army in… https://t.co/PRqh9Qd8fo
    7 days agoThe Cross and Triumph of Christ - A Lenten Meditation and Easter Reflection in Music, Lesson and Prayer will take p… https://t.co/iDT1hSJIt6
    7 days agoFrom the Kindergarten #newslettersThis week, students were curious to learn the art of Origami. They turned out… https://t.co/vdwMX1ekvw
    11 days agoTCMUN, in its short but vivid history has thrived, gaining recognition for being daring and relentless. And this ye… https://t.co/V7rWj9rj9D
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Archives

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    3 days ago#repost from @TimesOnlineLKSuren Ratwatte writes about the violent chapter in the history of the British Army in… https://t.co/PRqh9Qd8fo
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Quick Links

    • Home
    • Contact
    • News and Media
    • Trinity150
    • Events
    • Online Payments
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • My Account
    • GET SOCIAL
    Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

    Copyright © 2000 - 2022 Trinity College, Kandy. All rights reserved.

    TOP
    X