Faith, character, and learning by the sea — since 1938.
S. Thomas’ Preparatory School is a private, Anglican, multi-ethnic educational institution for boys, that provides an outstanding all-round education based on the National Curriculum from Grade 1 to 11.
Set on the Colombo seafront — our “home by the rolling billows” — the school combines a proud heritage with a modern outlook. From the classroom to the chapel to the playing field, we nurture every child to grow in confidence, curiosity, and conscience.
We believe in Unity in Diversity — accommodating children of all races and religions, while preserving our Anglican identity.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the S. Thomas’ Preparatory School website and thank you for your interest in our school. S. Thomas’ Preparatory School is one of the leading schools in Sri Lanka with an excellent reputation for providing an outstanding and all-round education based on the National Curriculum from Grade 1 – 11.
William Thomas Keble, the founder of our school, was an Oxford graduate from Keble College. He arrived in Sri Lanka in 1923 to join the staff of S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, during the tenure of Warden Kenneth McPherson. He was a pioneer in the public school system of education in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and a strong believer in the benefits of Preparatory Schools, prompting the development of two under his tutelage: the first in Colpetty in 1938 and the second in Bandarawela in 1942.
Thus, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School was established on 17 May 1938. Since then, the school has grown and developed, providing quality education to generations of children in our land.
Proper and good education is very important to all of us. It facilitates quality learning life among people of every age group, culture, religion and region. It is the process of achieving knowledge, values, skills, beliefs and good habits. Therefore, a good education is crucial for the wellbeing and fulfillment of our children. Students at S. Thomas’ Preparatory School are exposed to high quality teaching and learning which results in shaping their future.
Our school is governed by the Board of Governors of S. Thomas’ College, which has 4 schools under her wings, namely S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa and S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela. The Chairman of the Board of Governors is His Lordship, Rt. Revd. Dushantha Rodrigo, the Bishop of Colombo, former Headmaster of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School.
We at S. Thomas’ Preparatory School believe in Unity in Diversity. Therefore, we accommodate children of all races and religions, while preserving the Anglican identity. I welcome all of you to the S. Thomas’ Preparatory School family.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”
Fr. Nihal Fernando
Headmaster
To be a Prepite is to be a part of something greater than ourselves; it’s to belong to a proud legacy built on faith, discipline, traditions and core values passed down for generations.
Believe me when I say it did not take me the full course of 11 years to understand this. From the moment I first stepped into school as a six-year-old, I was captivated by the sight of the school buildings and the sea waves crashing in the background. This immediately filled me with a sense of awe and admiration, reminding me of what I was now part of. I truly hope that each and every student who steps through the gates feels the same sense of familiarity and awe I feel.
More than a place of learning, our school is a second home, a place where we’ve laughed, cried, played, formed friendships and created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. With the guidance of our Headmaster, Fr. Nihal Fernando, and the dedication of our teachers, we’ve learnt several valuable lifelong lessons that extend beyond academics. The beauty of Prep being a smaller school is that it allows each student to be recognised for their skills and talents and to receive proper guidance to develop them—an experience unmatched elsewhere.
To my fellow prefects, leadership is not a reward; it is a responsibility. We must always be ready to go the extra mile, to serve our younger brothers and to lead with humility. A prefect is not someone who controls others, but someone who supports, listens, and earns the trust of every student as a brother and a friend. Let us lead not just with authority, but with compassion, understanding, and unity. Let our actions reflect the values of our school and let us strive to be role models both inside and outside the classroom. The true measure of our leadership will not be in the titles we hold, but in the respect we earn and the impact we have on those around us.
Being appointed as the School Captain is both an honour and a privilege, one that I accept with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility. I hope to fulfil this role to the very best of my ability, working together with all of you.
Let us uphold the honour of our school and carry forward its proud legacy for generations to come.
Regardless of where the future leads me, I will never hesitate to say I am a proud student of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”
Hansaja Weerasekara
School Captain for the year 2026
