Brief History of SACK

1854

The college was established by the Franciscan missionary, Rev. Fr. Felice Zoppi.

Mr Van Twest- Head Master

1855

Mr Paul Poorey - Head Master

1856-1870

Mr F Peiris, Mr F De Silva, Mr K A Fernando, Mr A Staples,

Mr A B Geddes and Mr OD Paul, consecutively carried on the administration as Head Masters

1867

Became the second best school in English among all the schools established by the Missionaries

1870

Irish Christian Brothers John and Paul took over the administration

1875

The administration was entrusted to OSB priests

Rev Fr Dom Hildebrand Vanderstraten OSB - Principal

1876

Rev Fr Dom Paul Perera OSB-Principal

Boarding life introduced

1877

Rev. Fr. D. Maurus Craner O.S.B. (First Old Boy Principal)

1880

Mr. R.P. Jansz (Head Master)

1892

Rev. Fr. D. Hilarion Leitan O.S.B.

1898

Rev Fr Dom Maurus Craner OSB - Principal (for the 2nd time)

1903

Cricket introduced

1907

Rev Fr Dom Philip Caspersz OSB - Principal

First Annual Prize Giving ceremony

Hockey introduced - First school to play Hockey

First Trinity-Antonian cricket match - won by 14 runs

1908

First ever College publication - At Anthony's Manual

1911

OBA founded - First president: Very Rev Fr Dom Bede Beekmeyer OSB (later ordinated as Bishop)

1912

First OBA Branch - Uva Branch

Cadetting introduced

1914

Boxing introduced

1915

Rev Fr Dom Basil Hyde OSB-Principal

1916

Rev Fr Dom James Caspersz OSB - Principal

Scouting introduced

1918

Jack Anderson Record in Sri Lanka - Highest individual score of 291

1921

Rev Fr Dom Laurence Hyde OSB - Principal (Longest served)

1928

College shifted to the present premises

1934

Obtained the best results in the British Empire for the London Matriculation Examination

1935

Two storeyed block in the upper school completed

Playground commissioned

1938

Bede Gold Medal introduced

1940

Rev Fr Dom Robert Perera OSB-Principal

1941

The Kandy branch was officially separated from St Anthony's College

1942

College taken over by Army due to World War II

1944

Rev Fr Dom Angelo Rosati OSB-Principal

1946

Re-occupation of the college premises

Cottage system was adopted for hostel accommodation

1951

Joined the Free Education System

1954

Centenary celebration

Centenary Hall commissioned

1956

Rugby introduced

First All Ceylon School Boy Cricketer - Wijepala Premarathna

1957

Centenary Hall opened

Rev Fr Dom Hilarion Rudulph OSB - Principal

1959

All Ceylon School Boy Cricketer - Charlie Joseph

1960

Schools taken over opted to go private

All Ceylon School Boy Cricketer - Charlie Joseph

1961

Rev Fr Dom I Robinson OSB-Principal

1962

Cadetting withdrawn

All Ceylon School Boy Cricketer - Franklyn Burk

1967

Rev Fr Dom Aiden Silva OSB-Principal

First Colours Award ceremony

Tamil Cultural Society formed

1970

Turf pitch declared open

1972

College Council inaugurated

1973

Buddhist Brotherhood Society introduced

1974

First Maths Lab commenced

1977

Rev Fr Dom Lanfranc Amarasinghe OSB - Principal

1978

College handed over to the government

1979

Rev Fr Dom Stephan Abraham OSB-Principal

125th Jubilee celebrations

1980

First 50 over Trinity-Antonian Cricket match inaugurated

1981

National Youth Award Scheme introduced

1982

Opening of the Premadasa Block

Cadetting re-introduced

1986

Laying of the foundation of Leo Nanayakkara Sports Complex

A/L students valedictory function (Fly away ceremony) introduced

Festival of English, 'One Act Play' introduced

1987

College Diary re-introduced

1988

Public Address System installed

1989

Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of Rev Fr Dom Stephan Abraham OSB

25 houses at Anthoni Gama gifted to the minor employees

St John's Ambulance Brigade introduced

1990

Interact Club introduced

1991

All Island School Boy Cricketer - M Muralidaran

All Island School Boy Bowler M Muralidaran

All Island School Boy Best Batsman - Sajith Fernando

All Island School Boy Captain Nuwan Kalpage

First Super Eagles awarded

1992

Commissioning of Gymnasium

All island School Boy Cricketer - Sajith Fernando

Centenary unbroken service of the Benedictine Fathers

1993

Jack Anderson Pavilion commissioned, commemorating 75th anniversary of Jack Anderson record

1994

Rev Fr Dom Hilarion Fernando OSB - Principal

1998

Celebration of 70 years of College (out of 144 years) at the present premises

1999

Air cushioned parquet floor for the gymnasium

2000

Completion of 3rd stage of gymnasium

Inauguration of 5 years preparation for 150th anniversary in 2004 with "Millennium Walk' and cultural show

2001

Completion of Elkaduwa block in upper school

2002

New block and computer lab at primary

2003

75 years at present premises - celebrations & walk

2004

Sesquicentennial celebrations

2005

Antonian Excellence Awards

150th Anniversary closing ceremony (Float Parade)

2006

Rev Fr Dom Titus Rodrigo OSB-Principal

The first Ves dancing group of college - Rangabhisheka 2006 Cultural ceremony

2008

Launched the first official web site of the college, maintained by young Antonians

2009

Reassumed of college newsletter "Today at St Anthony's"

2013

Grade 6 students shifted to upper school, to a new 2 storeyed building commissioned by Rev Fr Titus Rodrigo OSB

Rev Fr Titus Rodrigo OSB retired from service

Rev Fr K GHB Wijerathne OSB assumed duty as Principal

Inauguration of Renaissance Exhibition

2014

Commission of Cadet Band

Introduction of Kala Ulala - Induabhiman

2015

Inauguration of the Inter-Schools Swimming meet(Central Province)

2016

Centenary of scouting

2017

Introduction of Music Troupe

Introduction of Aviation Club

Introduction of French Society

Introduction of Scout - 'Singithi'

125th Anniversary of unbroken Sylvestero Benedictine Legacy at SACK (1892-2017)

2018

Advance Level Technology Stream Started