History of St.Michael's College Batticaloa

In The Year 1868 Fr.Francis Xavier Philip the first Tamil secular priest of Ceylon was Sent to Batticaloa by The Bishop Jaffna , Who Was also in Charge of the East Mgr Christoper Bonjean, With a sum of Rs 500 to start a boy's English school in Batticaloa. A man of great energy and drive, Fr Xavier established three schools in Batticaloa. namely St.Mary's English school, St.mary's Vernacular school And St.Cecilia's Girls English School.St.Mary's English School,witch later became St.Michael's College, Was constructed on a plot of land donated byPaschal Mudaliyar, in the year 1873. This edifice still stands today and forms the sacristy of St.Mary's Co Cathedral in Batticaloa. there were 57 pupils and three teachers with Joseph Abraham as the first Principal.
In 1895 the French Jesuits tookover the newly created Dioces of Trincomalee with Mgr Charles Lavigne Sj as the first Bishop, who had among his plans the construction of boy's school, " Second To None ". This Task was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers who With the Assistance of Governor McCallum Commenced operation, ona site acquired over the years from 42 small holders. The Moving spirit behind this was Fr.Ferdinand Bonnel Who was the chief architect with Bro.Wright as the engineer. The French Jesuits not only begged for money in France for this project but also had to economize their expenditure to achieve the target. The Bishop could not spare enough priests at the time for classroom work and hence had to bring down three young Marist Brothers from France who was lodged in a bungalow near the esplanade called "Maris Stella".
THe school was made a secondary school. Scouting was started with Mr.S.Saveryrajah in charge of the troupe. A cadet platoon and brass band followed. An electric plant was installed by Fr.Bonnel with Tudor batteries, creating history with SMC pioneering the introduction of electricity in Batticaloa.
By now, SMC, had a respectable list of old boys, settled in Government posts and professions. The college had also provided three diocesan priests and a prominent old boy, Pandit Mylvaganam who was later promoted to the rank of Sanyasi in the Rama Krishana Mission under the name of Srimath Swami Vipulananda. An Old Boy's association was started in 1909 by Fr.D.Arras and Fr.S.Lazarus was elected the first President of the association.
The first batch of student was presented for the Jounior Cambridge examination in 1912 and the results of the exam revealed a 100% success. Enrolment moved up to 300. In 1915, McCallum hall was opened and was recognized as the best science Laboratory in the Island. Fr.Bonnel made most of the apparatus equipment for the lab and was a splendid science teacher himself.

1933 saw the birth of a new era. No priests could come from the war ravaged France. Over 1100 French Jesuits had died in this war. Hence, the Superior General in Rome appealed to the American Jesuits from the province of New Orleans for help. Fr.John T.Linehan was the first American Jesuits sent here in 1933. Fr.S.Marian a local Jesuit, who was the Principal at this time, welcomed Fr.Linehan and handed over the boarders to his care. The next year saw two more American Jesuits, Fathers J.J.O'Conner and J.W.lange. In 1935, four more Jesuits came from New Orleans, including Fr.Ignatius Glennie who later became Bishop of the diocese.
Fr.Emmanuel Crowther was apponited Rector in 1937 and Fr.Bonnel moved over to the adjoining parish. Father's Fengler and Hamilton who had come down were experimenting with basketball at this time.
In 1946, bishop Robischez passed away and the diocese and the school were handed over to the American Jesuits. Fr.Linehan became the first Superior and Vicar Capitualr. Fr.Ignatius Glennie was consecrated as Bishop. A week later, more Jesuits came to Ceylon including Fathers Weber, McNair and Heaney. Fr.Sommers was made Rector in 1948 and Fr.Crowther continued as Principal. Before the end of the next year, four more Jesuits arrived from America, including two future Rectors of the college, Father G.H.Raywood and B.H.Miller. The Department at this stage refused to allow foreigners to take up appoinment as teachers. As there was an acute shortage of science teachers, some of the Fathers moved in to help, but of course as honorary teachers. Some helped out with coaching and counselling.
In 1955, Goverment passed a ruling that no visa will be issued to new catholic missionaries from any foreign country. Appeals were made but very little was conceded. On the feast of St.Michael, Fr.Raywood replaced Fr.Sommers as Rector. Fr.Crowther retired after serving 17years as principal. After a bit of a struggle, permission was granted by the department for Fr.Raywood to serve as an Honorary principal. Fr.Crowther became general manager of catholic school.

In 1956 a weighty decision was taken to close the boarding house to give room for the increasing number of students. The department ruled that only qualified Ceylonese teachers, able to teach in the national languages, should be appointed to school. in 1959 came the darkest cloud. the cabinet decided to take over all assisted schools to protest. But nothing came out of this, and after long delioerationand consulation, the Jesuits decided to open the doors of St.Michael's as a non fee levying private school in January 1961. Fr Miller had by now been confirmed as the Rector of the college replacing Fr raywood who had returend to the States. With the help of benefactors, parents, well wishes and above all financial assistance from new orleans, the Jesuits managed to carry on as a private non fee levying school till June 1970. Local collections failed to reach even a third of the finances needed. Nearly20% of the students contributedlittle or nothing to the Welfare Association. The Jesuits had no alternative and the Superiour then.Fr.W.H.Moran, after consulting Fr.General, the Bishop and the three Rectors of the Jesuit Colleges in the Island namely,St.Joseph's Trinco, St.Aloysius, Galle and St.Michael's Batticaloa decided to hand over the three schools to the government. Fr.Fredreck Leon Was appointed Rector on February 2, 1970 And Was the last Rector of St.Michael's. After the handing over of the college, he remained as the Superior of the Jesuit community with no authority over the school.
The rest of the story is modern. After a brif spell of authority by BroThomas of the Society of St.Joseph, Laymen took over the reins of the school. Messrs Kingsley Somanader, T.Selvanagayam, S.E.Kamalanathan, Mrs.Kamala Emmanuel served as Principals and followed by Rev.Bro.James Peris. After the death of Bro.James Peris Mrs.C.S.Masilamani was appointed of an acting principal. Followed that in 2008 feb Mr.s.Mahendrakumar was appointed as a principal for St.Michael's.He served for 2 years and again Mrs.C.S.Masilamani was appointed as a principal of this school.

http://www.battistmichaels.com/school_history1.html