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Schools fulfil a vital responsibility in handing over a nations cultural heritage from generation to generation. It is the school that provides a child with his first real experience of the world outside his home and it is in the school environment that the growing child learns most of his initial lessons of nature.
Those who planned and built the old public of Ceylon believed in giving them an outstanding or deep culture, so that the school would act as a theatre for molding the child's character. Each of these schools was given a crest and a motto, of the ideals and values for which the institution stood.
The motto of Richmond College has a long history, dating back to over a century. "NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA”(All is in vain without the Lord) had been I as the College motto in 1887. .However according to records found in the National Archives and the National Museum-"PALMA VIRTUTI" (Virtue takes the prize) was chosen as the first College motto, and it is found in the College magazine from 1891- 1899.
It was replaced with "NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA" by Rev. Darrell in 1899, and it remains as the College motto to this day. Rev. Alec Sneeth, writing in the Diamond Jubilee magazine in 1936, gives an excellent descriptive interpretation of the motto from the Christian point of view (reproduced here).
A description in verse of the College crest is found in the magazines of 1899, when the crest was first introduced; and is reproduced here for the benefit of readers.
The motto and crest were devised and designed in accordance with Christian belief. But Richmond College which officially lost its status as a Methodist denominational school in 1962, had in effect ceased to be a pure Christian school long before that with the students being predominantly Buddhist.
The first Buddhistic interpretation of the motto was given by Mr. D. G. Welikala in his annual report presented at the College prize giving of 1962, where Mr. E. R. de Silva was the chief guest.
Mr. Welikala said that he was speaking at a time when old values were changing, yielding place to new. This may lead to a conflict of ideas between the older generation of Richmondites and the present ones.
In such a situation, harmony would prevail if we respected the other persons point of view and acted with love and compassion according to the concepts of Buddhism. Addressing the present boys, he advised them to always keep in mind the meaning of our motto "EFFORT WOULD BE OF NO AVAIL WITHOUT THE DHAMMA".
A member of the Staff, Ven. Porawagama Gnanasiri Thero, makes a detailed and meaningful analysis of the crest and motto, from the point of view of Buddhist philosophy.
"The crest of Richmond College is a wonderful creation of art, full of meaning in the religious, philosophical, educational and social contexts.
Education is the essence of life. The sailing ship represents Education and the waves of the sea signify life. The ship of Education is moving forward in the sea of life. The three masts of the ship signify knowledge, attitudes and skills. The 3 stars that light the path of the ship of Education are the Holy Triple Gem the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha."
THE MOTTO
The Latin words NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA mean that no amount of human effort will bring success without the blessings of God. This is a universal truth. In most conventional religions based on the belief that God is the creator of all things, success is dependent on God's will. According to Buddhist philosophy, success depends on adherence to the Dhamma.
"Dhammo Bhave Rakkathi Dhammachari" one who observes the Dhamma will be protected by the Dhamma. Thus, the motto “NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA” is akin to the teachings of the Buddha".
EVOLUTION OF THE COLLEGE CREST
The crest with the present motto "NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA" first appeared in the College magazine published for the trinity term in 1899.
Illustration No. 1
This crest is seen in magazine from 1899 till the mid 1930 s. After that, it has taken the shape of a sheild with 2 curves on the top.
Illustration No. 2
This crest has been used until 1962, when it had been subjected to further change.
Illustration No. 3
The crest which was used since 1962 can be seen in the assembly hall, on top of the first building one comes across after entering the College premises and on the Scouts 'Golden Jubilee Commemoration Monument’. These were put up during the principalship of Mr. D. G. Welikala.
It is evident that since the 1970s, different forms of the crest had been used on different occasions. The need to have a standard version of the crest was raised at the OBA meeting. On a proposal made by Mr. B. Suriarachchi, a sub committee was appointed to go into this matter and report to the general committee. Dr. W. Dahanayake and a staff member, Mr. Cecil Surasena, served on this sub committee. The report of the sub committee was presented by Mr. Surasena to the general committee on 07.07.1990, at a meeting presided over by the principal Mr. S. llayperuma.
By a majority decision, the crest seen in illustration No. 2 was chosen as the standard College Crest.
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