Teachers of Mazenod College, Anuradhapura

Being missionaries of the poor and the disadvantaged and ministering for many years in the North Central Province (NCP), the Oblate Fathers, in the spirit of St. Eugene de Mazenod, the Founder of the Congregation of the Oblates, felt empowered and energized by his words, “Love embraces all; for new needs it invents new means when necessary”, to respond to the needs of the families for education of their children in the District of Anuradhapura by starting a college.   
It needs to be noted that Bishop Christopher Bonjean OMI, who transformed the Catholic School Society of Jaffna, initiated by Vicar Apostolic Orazio Bettacchini, into St. Patrick’s College, and had pioneered the founding of St. Joseph’s College in Colombo, had also devoted his time and energy for the education of Catholics and non-Catholics. For example, the local language school begun at Anuradhapura by the Bishop Bonjean in 1874, became a registered Government English school under the leadership of Oblate Bishop Henry Joulain, with the name St. Joseph’s College, on March 19, 1898. So the Oblate Fathers as educators are not strangers in Anuradhapura. St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura was nationalised by the Sri Lankan Government in 1960.  
The new MAZENOD COLLEGE, an International English-medium School at Anuradhapura, with Fr. Dileepa Jayamaha OMI, appointed as the Principal, began its classes on January 03, 2019, in the premises of the Rajabima Oblate Centre at 519/16, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura, with 37 children (boys and girls) in Grade 01and with 03 lady teachers. The official opening took place on January 07, 2019 in the presence of Rev. Fr. Irwin Morais, OMI, the then Oblate Leader and Bishop Norbert Andradi OMI, Bishop of the Diocese of Anuradhapura. Among those present on that occasion, special mention must be made of Venerable Nugethane Pagnananda Thero, the chief Incumbent of Sri Sambuddhi Jayanthi Viharaya, Anuradhapura and Sivashri Balachandran, the Hindu Kurukkal of Anuradhapura.   

The Mission- Vision of Mazenod College  
The Oblates dedicated to the ministry of education consider service as the inseparable twin of love. Hence the motto of the College: Servire in amore: to serve with love. It is through selfless love manifested through deeds of compassionate service they will endeavor to give glory to God and obtain salvation. Therefore the Oblates will commit themselves not only to make the students excel in studies with needed skills but also to lead the children, the parents and the teachers to act with dignity as human beings, compassionately loving and respecting one another, thereby maintaining also equality and inclusion among them. Since the students belonging to major Religious Faiths are also beneficiaries of the services at Mazenod College, the Oblates educators try to enable them to embody in their lives the values and virtues of the Founders of their Faiths.  

Activities  
Sinhala language Day, English language Day. Vesak Bakthi Gee, Poson, Sports Meet, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Sinhala and English Debates, Annual Concert and Christmas Carols are some of the events which take place during the year in order to form the students academically and to build their character.  

Ongoing Education / Training of the Teachers  
Mazenod College also had the privilege of receiving the services of Rev. Sr. Sriyani Rodrigo of the Holy Family Congregation, a retired principal of Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala and member of Education office of Colombo Archdiocese to train our teachers. She has helped the teachers to update and equip themselves with different methods. On January 03, 2022, Mr. Shiroman Joison Fernando, the Vice-Principal of Gateway College, Negombo addressed the teachers of Mazenod College on “The attitudes of a good teacher” and on October 24, 2022, he conducted a seminar for the teachers. On October 29, 2022 , Mr. Mahinda Namal, a teacher at Holy Family Convent School addressed the parents on the qualities of parents. Mr. Nimanka Vihan Silva, Branch Manager of American College of Higher Education. Negombo Campus conducted a workshop on Team Spirit for the teachers

Contact and Communication with the Parents  
The Oblates continue to touch the lives of the parents of the students with the help of competent persons. A month before the inauguration of the college, on December 8, 2018, Mr. Benedict Perera, a veteran educationist addressed the parents on the education system in our country, underlying the need to form our children intellectually, to develop their skills and form them holistically. Fr. Chrishantha Jayalath, OMI addressed the parents on 26 October 2019 on the upbringing and accompanying of the children and on the developmental psychology using also videos. Mrs Nilukshi Thilakasiriu, Midwife and Psychological Counselor addressed the parents on the daily needs of their children   
Through such seminars and encounters, the Oblate educators hope to maintain close contact and communication with the parents of our students, thereby accompany them in the process of life education and guidance, emphasizing also discipline and demeanour of the parents and of the students.  
Covid-19 pandemic shook the entire country and the education of the children was also badly affected since March 2020. Mazenod College however, was able to assist the children using digital technology (Online and Zoom). On certain occasions, special meetings were held for the teachers using protective measures.  
In five years the number of students from grade one to grade five has increased from 37 to 285. There are 30 teachers. Holy Family Sister Irene Fernando, a trained teacher and a retired school Principal, helps the administration at the College.  
Fr. Dileepa Jayamaha OMI, the Principal of Mazenod College, Anuradhapura is ably assisted by Fr. Shane de Rosayro OMI, the Vice-Principal and the teachers.   
Fr.Emmanuel Fernando,OMI