Historical Notes
| 1838 | Hartley College was founded in 1838 by Rev.Dr.Peter Perceival a scholar cum Educationist, who compiled the English/Tamil Dictionary and also translated the Bible into Tamil, with its name as “WESLEYAN MISSION CENTRAL SCHOOL” | |
| 1848 | The central schools commission recommended grant to the school for its good work. | |
| 1860 | School remained closed for part of the year owing to some difficulties. | |
| 1861 | Mr.D.P.Niles, B.A, re-started it and put it on a strong footing and became the principal. | |
| 1874 | Mr.W.M.M.De Alwis, Sub-Inspector of schools reported that “Grade 4 to 6 were up to the mark of the best English schools in the Peninsula.” | |
| 1875 | The school was shifted to the present site. In the old site a Girls’ Boarding school was started by Rev.W.B.Winston, presently known as Methodist Girls’ High School. | |
| 1878 | Mr.J.C.T.Sherrad became the Head Master under Rev.Napp. Seventh Grade was the highest class and there were only a big Hall and two class rooms. He became so popular the college became to be known as “Sherrad’s school”. | |
| 1896 | The school was upgraded and allowed to prepare students for the Culcutta University Entrance Examination through Jaffna (Methodist) Central College which was afflicted to the Culcutta University. | |
| 1906 | Mr.S.A.Paulpillai, B.A, was appointed principal, while Mr.Sherrad was Head Master. Mr.Paulpillai passed away and Mr.Kanapathipillai became the principal. | |
| 1912 | Mr.E.S .Abraham, B.A became the principal. The school was called “Christ Churh School”. | |
| 1915 | Mr.Abraham went to Drieberg College at Chavakacheri closer to his home, and Mr.C.P.Thamotharam succeeded as the principal. | |
| 1916 | Rev.Marshall Hartley Secretary of the Methodist Mission for the East visited the school and laid the foundation for a science Laboratory. The school was re-named “Hartley College”. | |
| 1917 | Chemistry Laboratory was completed and also six other class rooms were put up. | |
| 1919 | Students appear for the Cambridge Senior Examination. | |
| 1920 | A Play Ground was provided and more class rooms were put up. Particularly Good results were obtained at the Cambridge Examination. Hartleyits win science scholarships to the University College. | |
| 1923 | The Boys Scout Movement was started. Hartley became Inter-school soccer champions in the North. | |
| 1930 | The Hostel building was put up. Cricket was introduced in the college. | |
| 1933 | Hartley College Old Boys Association (O.B.A) inaugurated. | |
| 1936 | Mr.C.J.Eliezer won the scholarship to the University College. | |
| 1938 | The Colombo Branch of the Old Boys Association (O.B.A) was inaugurated. | |
| 1943 | Mr.K.Pooranampillai, B.A, became the principal. | |
| 1944 | Co-operative Movement started. | |
| 1945 | Co-operative Movement started. | |
| 1947 | Historical Association was started. | |
| 1948 | Dramatic Society started. English and Tamil plays were staged. Photographic and film clubs began. | |
| 1950 | S.Satkunaratnam, a student, won the Dr. Rajah Hewavitaran Memorial Prize for emerging first in the S.S.C (Senior School Certificate) Examination held island wide. Sinhalese began to be taught as a subject. | |
| 1952 | A.Thurairajah, student, won the only science Scholarship awarded by the University. | |
| 1953 | Centenary celebration was held. | |
| 1957 | Science Association began. Grade 11 and 12 Literary Association started. Year-end Dinner started. | |
| 1961/1962 | G.Balasingam, a student, was adjudged as the best cricketer of the North. He won the Ceylon Schools Best All-rounder prize and was made the vice-captain of the Ceylon Schools Cricket Team which visited Australia.
2nd and 3rd XI Cricket Teams were started. Hindu Students Union was inaugurated. 2nd and 3rd XI Cricket Teams were started. Hindu Students Union was inaugurated. |
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| 1963 | Hartley was adjudged as the Best Cricket Team of the North. | |
| 1964 | M.Nadarajasundaram adjudged the best cricketer. | |
| 1967 | 4 Hartleyites found place in the Jaffna Combined Cricket Team. Mr.K.Pooranampillai left for St.Johns College and Mr.S.Ratnasabapathy succeeded him as the principal. | |
| 1968 | 21 students entered the Engineering Faculty of the University. | |
| 1969 | 4 Hartleyites were selected for Jaffna Combined Cricket Team. 2 selected for the 2nd XI. | |
| 1970 | 6 Hartleyites found their places in the Combined College Cricket 1st XI and the Captain was a Hartleyite. | |
| 1971 | Mr.S.Ratnasabapathy retired and Mr.C.Rajathurai B.Sc succeeded him as the principal. | |
| 1972 | M.Manoharadas played against the Australian Schools Team. He also was selected for the All Ceylon combined schools soccer team. | |
| 1973 | Mr.C.Rajadurai went as the Chief Education Officer and Mr.P.Ahamparam B.Sc succeeded him as the principal. | |
| 1975 | Mr.W.N.S Samuel, B.A succeeded Mr.P.Ahamparam who went away on a Zambian Government appointment. | |
| 1976 | M.Vasanthanathan became the School boy Cricketer of the North. | |
| 1978 | M.Buvanendrakumar obtained 04 distinction passes at the G.C.E (A/L) Exam. | |
| 1979 | 4 Hartleyites won 04 Distinction passes at the G.C.E (A/L) Exam. | |
| 1980 | Thamotharam Memorial Laboratory was completed and opened. A.Chandrakumar got 4 Distinction passes at the A/L Exam. 14students went to Engineering faculty. | |
| 1981 | K.Ramakrishnan tops at the G.C.E (A/L) Exam scoring 360 marks. 3 students got 4 Distinction passes. 14 students went to Engineering faculty. | |
| 1982 | 3 got 4 Distinction passes, 2 being twins. Hartley being the only school in the whole island to get these results. T.Kugarajah got the highest aggregate in the island. V.Sivaraman won the Gold Medal at the Rockwood Gold Medal for Surgery – 1982 – University of Colombo. | |
| 1983 | Pooranampillai Block was opened. The principal inaugurated a Branch of the Old Boys Association in London. | |
| 1984 | The College Library with 6690 Books and a few class rooms were burnt. | |
| 1985 | The School was shifted to a village 3 Km away (at Puttalai). Mr.W.N.S Samuel retired and Mr.P.Balasingam, B.A became the principal. | |
| 1986 | Rathan Markandan Subramaniam got 3A B in G.C.E A/L and won scholarship to Australia to do Medicine. | |
| 1987 | Hartley was made a core-school under the cluster system embracing 14 Schools and Principal Mr.P.Balasingam was appointed as the Head of the Cluster.
The Hon. Minister of Education, Ranil Wickremasinghe visited the school on 31st August. S.Sabesan got 3A B in G.C.E A/L and won scholarship to Australia to do Medicine. B.Kannan got 4A s and won scholarship to Australia. 17 students went to Engineering faculty. |
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| 1988 | 14 students obtained Distinctions in all 8 subjects and 13 obtained Distinctions in 7 subjects at the G.C.E (O/L) Examination.
N.Nithithiandan got 4A in the Commerce in G.C.E A/L and won scholarship to Australia. 19 students went to Engineering faculty. |
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| 1989 | Buildings handed back by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to the Principal. Issue of a stamp and a First Day cover to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the college took place.
29 students were selected for Engineering and 10 were selected for Medicine. S.Poopalan got 3A B and won scholarship to Australia to do Medicine. P.Varakunan got 4A and won scholarship to Australia to do Engineering. |
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| 1990 | Entire school was shifted to the old site. K.Ananthakumar tops the G.C.E (A/L) Exam (1989) securing 366 marks. G.C.E (O/L) and (A/L) Exams were not held. | |
| 1991 | Special G.C.E (A/L) Exam was held in April. P.Anpalagan and B..Manivannan obtained 4A and were felicitated by the Hon. President. | |
| 1992 | 25 Students went to Engineering Faculty.
T.Thayaparan got 4A and won scholarship to Australia to do Engineering. |
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| 1993 | Mr.P.Balasingam retired and Mr.K.Nadarajah succeeded him.
J.Jegachelvan obtained 4A in the A/L and secured the 1st place in district and 6th in the island in Commerce stream. |
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| 1994 | Interact Club was formed at the College. G.C.E (A/L) Union Social held after a lapse of 12 years.
G.C.E (A/L) commerce Union published the Magazine “Vanikaviyalalan”. 22 Students went to Engineering Faculty. R.Muhundan got 4A in G.C.E A.L and secured the 2nd in National Level in Mathematics and won scholarship to Australia to do Engineering. |
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| 1995 | Thurairajah Block –Stage I was opened. | |
| 1997 | Mr.P.Vegobalavanithasan became the Principal of the college. | |
| 1999 | Mr.P.Venugobalavanithasan was promoted as the Zonal Director of Education and Mr.N.Gunaseelan looked after the administration.
Four students S.Sivothaman, B.Piratheepan, P.Kantharvan and S.Ravishankar from G.C.E A/L passed away during an educational excursion in Point Pedro Sea. |
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| 2000 | Mr.M.Sripathy became the Principal. Activity room was constructed. Boundary line has been defined. | |
| 2001 | Thurairajah Block- Stage II was completed and opened. | |
| 2002 | Global Trust was inaugurated. | |
| 2003 | Mr.M.Sripathy went as an Assistant Director of Education at the Zonal Education Office, Vadamaradchy and Mr.V.Pathmanathan became the Principal.
A computer lab was constructed under the SEMP Project. |
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| 2005 | Mr.V.Pathmanathan and Mr.N.Gunaseelan retired and Mr.M.Rajaskanthan, Senior Sectional Head looked after the administration for a couple of months.
A computer lab was donated by NSW branch. Library and G.C.E O/L Block were completed by the GIZ. Mr.N.Theivendrarajah, took over as Principal of the college. |
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| 2006 | A field study centre was built by the Ministry of Education. | |
| 2007 | Group song in Tamil won the first place at the National Level Tamil Day competition.
Vimalanathan Rajeevan was placed third in the island in Mathematics stream in G.C.E A/L Exam. Vadivesvaran Harikaran secured the 2nd place in Under 17 Discus throw cleared a distance of 47.29m at the National level competition. L-block stage-II, New Principal’s Office block, Staff room was constructed by SDC. Geometry Competition was started among the students from Grade 10 and 11 students and is sponsored by Mr.M.Thiruneelakandan. |
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| 2008 | Vadiveswaran Harikaran won the Colours Award (41.60m) at the National Level in Discus Throw.
One of our art teachers Mr.T.Jeyatheeban, an old boy won the first place at the National Level Art competition. |
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| 2009 | A.C.John Niraj secured the second place in G.C.E A/L in Mathematics field at the National Level and felicitated by his Excellency the President. He participated at the Asian Level Mathematics Olympiad competition held in Taiwan.
14 students went to the Engineering Faculty and 4 students went to the Medical Faculty Vadiveswaran Harikaran won the gold medal and colours award in National Level in Under 19 Discus Throw (42.67m). A Folk song and a Group song in Tamil Day competition won the 1st in National Level. Commemoration of the students who co-died under tragic circumstances during an Education Excursion in 1999, was organized by the A/L 2000 batch past pupils and scholarships are awarded in-memory of them. A blood donation campaign is organized on that day and the participation by blood donors has been placed as a national level record. Assembly Hall Stage –I foundation was laid by NECORD. |
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| 2010 | Balagobalan Gohulan secured the 3rd place at the National Level in G.C.E A/L in Bio Stream.
Vadiveswaran Harikaran won the gold medal and colours award in Under 21 Discus Throw (36.9m) and Thurailingam Balakumar won the Gold Medal and Colours award in Under 19 Pole-Vault (3.60m) at the National Level. Jeyarajah Kapilananth won the Board Prize in under 15 all island Schools Chess tournament. Mas.N.Thinesh a Cadet Sergeant of the college was felicitated by his Excellency the President at the National Level Cadet corps Assessment. The sports spot was built in the Grounds by Swiss Development corporation. |
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| 2011 | Thurailingm Balakumar(3.60m) won the silver medal in Under 19 Pole Vault at the National Level competition.
Kanagasabai Mahinthan was selected in the National Level Olympiad Competition in Mathematics and won the Merit Certificate at the Asian Level held in Bali- Indonesia. Vamathevan Jeyaprasanna won the 1st place in National Level Nutritional Week Essay Competition. Thanabalasingam Gohulan secured the 1st in G.C.E O/L Exam in district level in English Medium. Hartley College was placed in the best schools among the 3 Tamil schools in G.C.E O/L Performance Island wide declared by the Department of Examination. New Hostel building construction has been inaugurated by the German Senator and the Past Pupil Iyan.K.Karan. Boundary wall was built around the school by the UMCOR and the Parents equally shared. Hartley College Past Pupil Association Vanni Electorate was formed. 40 Brand new computers were donated by the HCPPA Canada and USA branch. Adjoining land of 6 lachcham was purchased by the trust. |
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| 2012 | Balagobalan Kabilan secured the 3rd place at the National Level in G.C.E A/L in Mathematics Stream and felicitated by his Excellency the President.
Hartley College was placed in the 4th rank in G.C.E A/L performance in Mathematics stream in island wide Cadet corps won the 1st place at the 20th Battalion Cadet Corps Assessment. A Group song secured the 1st place in National Level Tamil Day competition. Inner Road was constructed under the Governor’s fund and declared open. Urinals and toilets were constructed by IFRC. Canteen was constructed by the UK Branch. A water tank was built by UNICEF An adjoining land between the courts and the school was purchased with the funding of SDS and HCPPA. 8 Lachcham land was transferred from the trust to school. A small cycle park was built by the DCB. Hartley College official Website was declared opened. Canteen land has been transferred to Trust from the Parent Body. Assembly Hall land has been transferred to the Education Department from the Trust. |
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| 2013 | A Basketball court was constructed by the China Corporation and the movable post was donated by Mr.M.Rajaskanthan and Prof.Rajendran with his family.
Extension of Library, Assembly hall stage-II, Cycle Park was constructed by EnRep. A computer lab with internet facilities was sponsored by Canada &USA Branch. School management system (software) was developed. CCTV camera system started functioning in the school. Pilot Project of link classes for students sat for the G.C.E O/L, waiting for results, have been started with the sponsorship of HCPPA NSW branch. Foundation stone for Technology lab was lain in the newly bought adjoined land between the school and the courts complex. S.Dinesh secured the 1st place in the district and the 6th in the National level in G.C.E A/L Bio Stream. 175th Anniversary of the College took place for 4 days. An Exhibition, Tournaments and a magazine release was organized. A special commemorative stamp was released to remark the 175th anniversary. The newly built canteen has been declared open. A Junior Group song in Tamil Day competitions won the 1st place in the National Level Tamil Day competitions. S.Nitharsan from Grade 12 secured the 1st place in National Level Tamil Day competitions in Individual Song. 10 new Computers were donated by NSW Branch. Foundation was laid for the Flag platform constructions. |
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| 2014 | The Iyan Karan Hostel was declared open by the Senator, Humberg Germany Iyan K.Karan and his wife Barbara in the Presence of the Chief Minister Northern Province Mr.C.Vigneswaran, Minister Small Enterprises and Cottage Industry, Hon Douglous Devananda, Governor Northern Province Major General .G.A Chandrasiri, German Ambassador His Excellency Dr.Jurgen Morhard and His wife, Minister of Education Northern Province, Mr.T.Kurukularasa and the Principal Mr.N.Theivendrarajah.
The Flag Platform meant for hoisting of flags has been declared open. The Principal Mr.N.Theivendrarajah was promoted as the Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Northern Province and the Deputy Principal Mr.K.Arulanantham looked after the College for a month. Mr.T.Muhunthan took over as Principal of the College. Mas. Logasingham Komathuran Secured the first place in solo music division IV. in National Level Tamil Day competition. Vijayakumar Jatharthan won the Colours award in All Island Schools Athletic Meet in Discus throw in Under 17. Mahendran Saivatharsan won the gold medal in the National Level Young Inventors competition. The Progress reports of students have been computerized. |
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| 2015 | The balance work of the auditorium has been completed and declared open by the Hon Minister of Education, Northern Province and the Past Pupil of the College Mr.T.Kurukularasa.
An external path, a flight of steps has been built to Pooranampillai block. The school canteen which was already built was furnished with antiques. Water supply system was provided to the school by the Water supply board. The newly built Iyan Karan Hostel has been started functioning with 19 students. The Prime Minister Hon.Ranil Wickramasinghe paid an official visit to the school on 27th March and delivered a speech. The Technology Lab was declared open by the Hon. State Minister of Education Velusamy Rathakrishnan. Balachandran Ananth won the Silver Medal in Discus Throw in Junior National Athletic Championship in Under 16. P.Vishnu won the 3rd Place in National level in All island School Boxing Tournament. S.Jivanth won the 1st place in National Level in Boxing 49-52 kg in 17-18 age group in Sri Lanka School Boxing Association. S.Kiritharan won the 1st place in National Level in Boxing 80 kg in 15-16 age group in Sri Lanka School Boxing Association. P.Vishnuwan the 3rd place in National Level in Boxing52-54 kg in 15-16 age group in Sri Lanka Boxing Association. |
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| 2016 | The fourth volume of the Magazine “Thedal” was launched by the Science Union.
A Bus was donated by the Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe in his residence at Temple Trees. nergy Club Innovation Competitions in Grade 6-9 group in National level. The foundation stone was laid for both Principal’s Quarters and Classroom buildings. Ian kiru Karan, an old boy and the sponsor of the College Hostel, visited the school on the 3rd November 2016. R.O plant (A water purifying machine) has been fixed to the College which was funded by Hon.Ian Karan, during his visit to the college. V.Sanchith won the 1st Place in Individual Song in Division IV in National Level Tamil Day competitions. A Group Song - Division I secured the 1st Place in National Level Tamil Day competitions. U.Lathussoban won the 1st place in Innovation in the E S.Jathusan was selected to participate in the International level from the National Level Maths Olympiard Competition in Category III. R.Rajinthan from Grade 9 was selected from the Provincial level in Maths Quiz and participated in the national level representing the Northern Provincial team and the team won the 1st place. P.Vishnu won the 3rdPlace in National level in All Island School Boxing Tournament in 17-18 Age group. P.Vishnu won the 2nd Place in National level in Sri Lanka School Boxing Association in 17-18 Age group. T.Abishanth won the Gold medal in Discus Throw in Junior National Athletic Championship in Under 16. B.Ananth won the silver medal in Discus Throw in Junior National Athletic Championship in Under 16 |
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Compiled by
Mr.N.Gunaseelan
Former Deputy Principal of the College and
Mrs.B.Linashkumar
Staff of the College.
