A principal who delivered four decades of invaluable service

Stella Dandeniya:

Panchabhashinie Ediriweera (Nee Dedigama)Head Prefect 1981/82

When R. Granier, Marc London and Don Black wrote the classic To Sir, With Love, the words touched the hearts world over. Students all over the world related easily to the lyrics, because most of them had apparently met figures at school that touched their lives and hearts in an indelible manner. Stella Dandeniya, who joined Musaeus College, Colombo as a young graduate from the University of Peradeniya, is one such excellent teacher, who has impressed upon the heart of many a young student that entered the hallowed gates of the school.

Over the years, Dandeniya earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues as an approachable and dedicated staff member and her steady rise through the ranks of the school hierarchy is ample testimony to this. Having started her career and indeed service, in education as a graduate teacher in 1966, she was made Grade Supervisor to Advanced Level Arts and Commerce streams in 1981 and she was the Vice-Principal in 1984. Dandeniya was then made the Deputy Principal and now, to our great delight, wears the mantle of Principal of Musaeus College.

So many batches of students have been guided and inspired by Dandeniya and academics were not her sole domain. I recall during my year as Head Prefect of the school, in 1981/82, when her patience and wisdom lit the way for those of us who were in the throes of sports meets, prize-givings and all other school activities. It was her composure and advice that helped me, to complete all my tasks successfully.

Dandeniya is also well-equipped to contribute to the cultural aspects of school life. Her own background in university where she was engaged in dramatic productions of high calibre, including sokari stylish play by Prof Sugathapala De Silva, Wimal Dissanayake and Prof J.B. Dissanayake in which she played the main role, has contributed immensely to the schools’s cultural and aesthetic development over the years. She is talented in dancing, singing and acting and also an eloquent orator.

Despite being a strict disciplinarian, Dandeniya was also a wise and loving friend to all students especially to her students, during the tension-filled Advanced Level years. She embodies the qualities that have worked hard throughout the years to mould one Musaeite after another. Dandeniya’s involvement with the school has seen a steady flow of young women into society, who are disciplined and steadfastly stand by the values that Musaeus College instills in them.

The news of her promotion to the post of Principal of the school was therefore, met by her students, past pupils with great delight and admiration. Mother Musaeus is indeed fortunate to have Dandeniya at the helm, propelling our great alma mater to wondrous heights. Her association with mother Musaeus counts more than four and half decades and is the most senior staff member to be in continuous service in the same institution to date. The school stand together in offering the schools’ gratitude to her for the forty-five years of wonderful, dedicated service she has rendered to the school and the inspiration and friend she was to all students during their precious years in school. As all students turn a new chapter at their beloved Museaus College celebrating its 120 years of great service, I wish my teacher all the very best in all her future endeavours. I am convinced that under her guidance and direction, Musaeus is well set on the path to further success and conquests triumphant.