After a lapse of a year, it came time for the Choristers and Debaters from the School on the Hill to meet their counterparts from the School by the Sea. The traditional Trinity-Thomian weekend took place this year on the 21st and 22nd of February at the College premises. The tradition dates back to the 1950s when Maj. Gordon Burrows of Trinity and Rev. Roy Yin of S. Thomas’ started a joint service for a time of fellowship and a yearly renewal of brotherhood between the two prestigious schools of the Anglican Church of Ceylon.
On Saturday the 21st the Thomians were warmly welcomed by the choristers of Trinity, and after lunch, took part in a combined practice at Chapel which was followed by a fellowship tea at the dining hall.
The Debate
The debate has been a long-lasting tradition between the two schools, which always takes a friendly approach. This year’s debate revolved around an interesting topic where the motion was “This house proposes a world in which juries/judges can use a “not proven” verdict in criminal courts, in addition to “guilty” and “not guilty” verdicts.” Trinity proposed the motion while S. Thomas’ opposed it.
The teams were as follows,
S. Thomas’ College
- Yokith Perera (Captain)
- Dihen Udumalagala
- Aneesh Dissanayake
- Chenaka Edirisuriya
Trinity College
- Abeesha Wickramasinghe (Captain)
- Nethula Hettihewage
- Muhammed Jameel
- Dilith Halahakoon
Even though the two teams passed on friendly jokes across the floor, the camaraderie and the fellowship formed were unmatchable.
After the debate, the traditional dinner took place at the College Main Hall. Amidst the delectable gourmet spread, were conversations of brotherhood, reflecting on the differences between the two schools, and how they unite, fueling a sense of joy, cementing the legacy between the two schools for generations to come. It is worth noting that according to custom, the Thomian Choir sang “School by the Sea” written by STC Choirmaster Rev. Roy Henry Bowyer Yin in the 1950s and the Trinity College Choir sang the “The School on the Hill” – written by TCK Choirmaster Mr. Ronald Thangiah in the 1960s.
The Combined Holy Communion Service
The Holy Communion Service was held the following day at 7.30 am at the Chapel with the two choirs along with the clergy from both schools. The bible readings were done by choristers of both choirs and the sermon was by the Assistant Chaplain of S. Thomas’.
The musical highlight of the morning, “Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake” by Richard Farrant was sung by both choirs as a special anthem. Naturally, the chapel was filled with the glorious voices of the combined choir of about 100 voices. The service attracted many visitors and the Trinitians particularly appreciated the presence of several parents and well-wishers who travelled all the way from S. Thomas’.
The fellowship breakfast followed next with the Choirs, Heads, Chaplains and staff of both schools, after which another wonderful Trinity-Thomian weekend came to an end.
As the Thomians headed back down to Colombo it was indubitable that both schools had once again instilled in themselves a greater sense of brotherhood and friendship. Carrying forward this mutual bond between the two schools, the Choristers of Trinity College hopes to visit their fellow brothers 2027, along with the debaters for another Thomian-Trinity Weekend.
