The Peterite walk – 2012

Saturday, 26 May 2012 00:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

People walk for many reasons. Some walk for pleasure, some for exercise, yet others for records and glory. There are also walks, specially by schools to support various projects or to commemorate events, but rarely do we hear of a walk for a noble cause such as the renovation / refurbishment of a school’s chapel.

That is exactly what St. Peter’s College did last Sunday, 13th May, when they turned Galle Road between Wellawatte Junction and Dickmon’s Road into a veritable carnival.

St. Peter’s College which celebrated its 90th year of existence is credited with being the pioneers of Walking for a cause by anyone in Sri Lanka, when the 1st ever Walk (titled Walkathon) was held in 1986.

The day began with Holy Mass concelebrated by the Rector, Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel, old Peterite priests and other priests from the College and the Walk proper was officially started off with a special prayer and hoisting of the College flag.

The organising committee planned for this Walk with their previous experience but all predictions were proven wrong when with an unprecedented response, Peterites rallied round their alma mater and walked in their thousands. There were boys from year 1 to year 13, old boys from those who had just left school to great grandfathers and there were mothers and sisters of the Peterites too. Teachers, minor staff, the P.T.A. and the Welfare Society all were behind the organisers supporting the event and joining in the Walk. There were even Elephants and horses that were included, not to mention a cycle parade and cartoon characters, Papare bands, stilt walkers, boats on the canal displaying the College flag to add colour, and to cap it all a helicopter was seen flying the college flag to the amusement of all taking part in the walk .

The Walk also saw Old Boys from the quadrangular schools, namely St. Anthony’s, St. Benedict’s & St. Joseph’s and their sister school, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya joining the Peterites .

While there were bound to be some irritated motorists on Galle Road that day, others enjoyed the scene, seeing so many frolicking while supporting their school.

The fun did not end with the procession returning to the school. The College ground had been turned into a carnival ground. There was music by “Black” and games of skill, bouncers for children, eats and drinks and ice cream aplenty in addition to other entertainment that had been lined up.

Being citizens who take their civic responsibility seriously, even though this was a fun event, they ensured that garbage was collected and disposed so that the road users are not inconvenienced.

A very happy and beaming Rohan Victoria, Chairman of the Walk committee and an equally elated President of the Old Boys Union, Dr. Nielhaan Samaranayake were seen at the end of the Walk, mingling with those enjoying the fun and thanking those who participated. Peterites must be a proud lot for having conducted such a successful Walk for such a noble cause and one can’t help congratulating them.