The ETHOS
The young Irish CMS missionary, Lilian Nixon with Elizabeth Whitney founded the College for ladies in 1900 on the highest ideals of Christian ethos and the liberal tradition of education balanced by discipline of the highest order that she herself had inherited from her years at Cheltenham.
Succeeding generations of Principals of Ladies’ College have clung tenaciously to these ideals. The school motto, the collective philosophy expressed by the seven principals during the last hundred years and the words of our school hymn epitomize the ethos of our school.
Quoting Ms Simon in her message to the 75th Anniversary Souvenir
The Ethos of the school is epitomized in the collective philosophy expressed by the seven principals during these past one hundred years and is reflected in the words of the school hymn.
Lilian Nixon
From its very beginning, Ladies’ College was open to any girls who wished to study, Irrespective of their ethnic or religious background. Though Lillian Nixon was a devout Christian with a strong belief in the primacy of Christianity, she established a tradition of openness, and religious and ethnic tolerance that has remained despite the changing pressures of the passing years.
Her belief was that “Ladies’ College should be a place of sound learning, A place for full and varied and natural life, and a place for spiritual growth within the life of the Church” and that belief has been fulfilled in the passing years
Gwen Opie
Mable Simon
Olive Hitchcock
Ms. Hitchcock joined the staff of Ladies’ College in 1946 as a teacher and Ms. Simon’s trusted and able advisor. In her unobtrusive manner, she was more than responsible for maintaining the fine balance required in those difficult years.
Sirancee Gunawardana
Though she had been Vice Principal from 1963, the prospect of taking over the principalship must have been an awesome one. However, simplicity and service were the keynotes of her life.
Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala
Nirmali Wickremesinghe
Eesha Speldewinde
Mrs. Speldewinde was an extremely talented sportswoman who excelled in swimming and was appointed the school’s Swimming Captain. She also participated in English debating, English and Sinhala drama productions and was elected as the Loos House Captain and appointed a school prefect. After leaving school she graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo with a Bachelor of Law (LL. B) degree.
Deepika Dassenaike
Mrs. Deepika Dassenaike (nee Samarasinghe) a former student of Ladies’ College succeeded Mrs. Eesha Speldewinde as Principal, and enriched the school through innovative academic, cultural, and spiritual initiatives, including the Math Lab, LC STAR programme, musical productions, and the 125th Anniversary celebrations. She led major infrastructure developments, strengthened community engagement, and introduced a dedicated Sports Awards Day. Her leadership also expanded spiritual life, student development, and career guidance. Overall, she leaves a lasting legacy of excellence, creativity, and service.