CanadianHartleyite
Newsletter of the Past Pupils' Association of Canada & USA	Vol 8 No 2 September 2004

HCPPA Canada & USA to Rescue the Pathetic Plight of Classrooms of Hartley

While visitors to Hartley were looking at various aspects of raising the image of Hartley by putting up Auditorium, etc, a reconnaissance visit by Treasurer Mr. Rajeswaran , forced the Association to look at another urgent aspect namely providing the basic facilities to enable the pupils and teachers to impart education which is the priority at the moment. The committee requested Mr. Atputhanathan to devote part of his holiday in Jaffna to collect all the necessary information to provide decent tables and chairs to all class rooms, to update the facilities of the laboratories to enable the teachers to provide their best and to come up with a plan for the new Library that is being built to install a basic workable environment in keeping with latest Information technology.

The result of Mr Atputhanathan 's study
led to the committee urgently undertaking the task of providing the student tables and chairs to 10 classrooms of the Advanced level classes as a priority as these students are now made to sit on chairs that are suitable for small children. It was estimated that each AL classroom needs 35 tables and chairs( the number projected for a period of ten years). There are ten classrooms , five in grade 12 and five in grade 13. The estimated cost at the present rate for a pair of table and chair is around CD $35.00 and to provide the furniture for a classroom the cost will be around CD $ 1225.00. The committee is considering various options of getting this done. In the meantime we are appealing to Hartleyites in Canada and USA to think of taking over furnishing a classroom either individually or jointly. Please think of it as a service to the school that made us what we are today. It is costing you only CD $ 3.50 a day . ( More details of Mr. Atputhanathan 's assessment of basic need for education refer page 2).

16th Hartleyites Nite on 20th November 2004

16th Hartleyites Nite this year will take place on Saturday 20th of November, 2004. The Venue will be same as last year- Centennial Recreation Center Auditorium, at 1967 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario. The events will start at 6 PM . The first program will be the Annual General meeting which will take place at 6:30 PM and it is opened to members who are in good standing. Those who have not paid their subscription are requested to pay up by 6:30 before the meeting. It has been decided by the committee that the membership register will close just before the meeting starts.

Annual General meeting will be followed by Fellowship and during that time members will be able to view Hartley as it stands today in the video clips taken by Mr.Atputhanathan who visited recently.

Tickets are priced at CD $ 15.00 per head and for teenagers it is CD $ 10.00. Tickets can be had from President, Dr. A. Thangarooban ( convener), Tel: 905 770 3350, Mr. M. Atputhanathan , Tel: 416 439 7696, Mr.K. Rajaratnam , Vice President, Tel 416431 0987, Dr. A. Shanmugavadivel , Tel 416 266 5161. In addition tickets also can be had from any of the committee members.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE GATES

We would like to bring to the notice of members that in spite of our decision not to sell tickets, some tickets were sold at the last Annual Nite and the result was shortage of food and some committee members have to go without food. Therefore please book your tickets early. For those who cannot collect their tickets, their tickets will be kept at the gates in an envelope with their names. Please also note that those who book the tickets and fail to turn up, must pay the cost of the ticket.

DIRECTION: Those coming on HWY 401, exit at Markham, turn south and at Ellesmere junction turn right. At the first signal light turn left and the Centennial Recreation Complex is on your right. Those coming from USA on QEW , follow directions to HWY 401 Toronto and follow the directions as given above.

We are appealing to all members to keep this date free and even if you have some other engagement give priority to Hartleyites Nite . Our special appeal to USA members to make it a point to come this way. You can book your tickets on E-mail with, Dr. Thangarooban ( atroopan @ rogers.com )

M. Atputhanathan ( atput @ interlog.com )or Dr Shanmugavadivel ( drashan @ hotmail.co m ).

Pathetic Plight of Hartley------

(continued from page 1)

If we provide this 350 sets of student furniture, those that are now in these classes can be used to replace desks and chairs that we used in 1950s and are in a very bad state.

The situation of the Laboratories is not so bad as some have expressed. First Priority is to re-establish the Biology Laboratory that is now being used as Audio Visual Room. All three laboratories need a complete set of water taps and sinks; gas taps, burners and gas cylinders; shelves for biology laboratory; teachers table and platform and replacement of old and outdated equipments.

It should be noted that contrary to the general impression the teachers at present in Hartley in general and science teachers in particular are doing their best with all these shortcomings. We must appreciate the good work they are doing and provide the basic necessities to do better. The teachers' good work is reflected in the results of Ol and AL. An analysis of this as given by the Vice Principal, Mr.N Gunaseelan is given elsewhere in this Newsletter.

The Library that was burnt down is functioning in a makeshift room with meager books, scarce reference material and periodicals. The present building though small, being built with ADB aid, once completed needs furnishing which is not in the ADB aid. This library once completed will also need an additional room for equipping with computer. In addition it needs a large injection of relevant books and periodicals along with internet facilities.

Hartley College Trust has been informed of these basic needs and they have appealed to HCPPA Canada &USA to take over furnishing the classrooms and they said that they will solicit the cooperation of other branches to help in the other two areas.

Mr. Atputhanathan also met the secretary to the Ministry of Education, North and East, Mr.R. Thiyagalingam , who is an Old boy of Hartley, at Trincomelee and briefed him of the plight of Hartley. He promised to help in furnishing the Library and equipping the Laboratory.

There are two other buildings that have been given to Hartley namely a two story building to house 12 classrooms and an environmental laboratory. These two are in the process of being built. For more details on Hartley read the Hartley Year book of this year at the Hartleyites Nite .

OTHER OBSERVATIONS BY MR ATPUTHANATHAN ON HIS VISIT

1.COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER

The computer learning center with about 20 computers donated by the government and situated in the front part of the College caught fire probably around the air conditioning unit on May 3rd 2004. Four computers were damaged, the rest 16 have to undergo slight repairs and awaiting government handling. It should be noted that the few computers donated mainly by HCPPA , UK and others are safe and in working condition. These are planned to be used in the proposed new library.

2. POORANAMPILLAI BLOCK

Pooranampillai block situated closer to the turret adjoining the former magistrate house boundary had caved in beams due to bombs falling on it and it is not worth propping it up and endangering the lives of children and needs demolition.

3. TEMPORARY AUDITORIUM IN FORMER TENNIS COURT

Suggestion was made that the former tennis court be temporarily covered and converted into a make shift auditorium. This appears to be not a good idea as it will not only give the college a bad look but will cut off ventilation and lighting to classrooms around it. The present arrangement of temporarily using the upper floor of the new classroom block would be the suitable alternative.

Hartley Performance In OL and AL Examinations

AL PERFORMANCE

Percentage Qualified to Enter the University

2003 2004

Maths 26% 52%

Bio 47% 39%

Commerce 48% 55%

Arts 52% 63%

Student Population statistics of 2004-AL

Maths Bio Comm Arts

1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd

Applied 81 64 21 07 56 45 17 07

Sat 78 56 20 06 53 35 17 03

Qual 39 31 06 04 28 20 13 02

1st - ! st time taking exam

2nd -2nd time taking Exam

Subjects Passed in 2003 and 2004

3 sub 2 sub 1 sub 0 sub

2003 115 41 25 46

2004 144 43 38 42

Performance - Top Grades

Grades 2003 2004

3A 07 01

2A , B 04 06

2A , C 02 00

2A , S 00 01

A, 2B 04 05

Percentage Pass in each subject

Subject 2003 2004

Chemistry 48% 59%

Physics 67% 73%

Comb Math 65% 71%

Biology 74% 69%*

Economics 82% 63%*

Bus. Studies 82% 77%*

Accounts 63% 61%*

Logic 67% 90%

Hindu Culture 78% 100%

Tamil 70% 100%

English 05% 19%

* decrease in percentage Pass

OL PERFORMANCE

Dec. 2003 Examinations

1st shy 2nd shy

Applied 139 04

Sat 137 05

Qualified for AL 121 03

referred 09 01

failed 07 01

Gradings in Subjects

Subjects A B C S W %Pa

Saivaism 98 25 13 01 00 100

Christ RC 02 00 02 00 00 100

Christ ( nonRC ) 01 00 00 00 00 100

Tamil Lang 48 36 42 13 03 98

English Lang 12 04 12 39 75 47

Science Tech 26 24 47 35 10 93

Maths 69 18 18 23 14 90

Hist& soc.stud 69 37 26 08 02 99

Art 01 01 00 03 00 100

Music ( Carn ) 01 03 07 12 06 79

Tamil Lit 36 26 20 09 08 92

English Lit 03 02 01 01 06 54

Comm. & Acc. 11 18 32 30 24 79

Electronics 00 00 02 07 06 60

Geog. 10 22 56 38 13 91

Health &PE 99 23 15 03 00 100

Scholarships Awarded from the Funds Maintained by HCPPA Canada/USA

The following are the scholarships awarded for the Best performance in the Academic and Sports Fields for the year 2003. These were awarded at the Prize day in 2004.

1. Scholarship in memory of late Mr. S.T. Samuel for the best performance in the Biological science awarded to Mas S. Nishanthan . For the best performance in Arts section awarded to S. Kartheepan .

2.Scholarship in memory of late Mr. R. M. Gunaratnam for the best performance in Physical science awarded to Ma. S. Srikaran .

3 Scholarship in memory of late Mr. W.N.S. Samuel for the best performance in Commerce section awarded to Mas. P. Balaraj

The following are the cash awards given in memory oflate Mr. P. Ahamparam for the year 2003 in the following fields of sports:

Best performance in Cricket awarded to Mas. K. Mahindan .

Best performance in Athletics awarded to Mas. S. Senthoor

Best performance in Soccer awarded to Mas. J. Tharsan

Challenge Trophy donated by Mr. N. Sivapalan ( HCPPA Canada/USA) in memory of his father late Mr. N. Nadarajah ( an Old Boy ) awarded to Mas. S. Thasan for Soccer.

Note: The Trust has brought to the attention of all branches that there are overlaps in the awards of Scholarships by various PPAs . Probably the outcome may be that some changes have to be made in these awards. But before any change is made the donors of these scholarships will be consulted.

Visit to Thinnelvely Orphanage

At the request of the committee Mr. Atputhanathan visited the orphanage run by the Hindu board for those orphans displaced by war. Members will remember that HCPPA Canada/USA donated money at the last Hartleyites Nite for the purchase of computer and accessories. We were happy to see that these have been done and saw the children using it. There were other computers donated by others too.

The Orphanage requested that this computer room needs air conditioning to improve the functioning of the computers and urged us to consider providing them this facility.

News from HCPPA Canada & USA

MR . SIVASOTHY BECOMES REGISTRAR OF MARRIAGES

Mr Sivasothy our energetic and dynamic vice president has been appointed registrar of Marriages in recognition of his services to the community.

ANNUAL HARTLEY VS JAFFNA HINDU CRICKET ENCOUNTER

The annual cricket encounter between Hartley and Jaffna Hindu was held at Sunnybrooke cricket grounds on Canada Day with Dr. S. Ragavan former cricket captain of Hartley and University of Ceylon, from Australia as the chief guest. This year though there was an improvement in the attendance, still it was not like past years. The match had a thrilling finish with Jaffna Hindu Carrying the Thurairajah challenge cup.

ANNUAL PICNIC WITH A DIFFERENT FLAVOUR

The annual Picnic jointly held by Hartley and Methodist was held at Oshawa Park in July . Convener Mr Sivasothy wanted to make this one different and with the help of Rajeswaran produced an excellent Jaffna Kool which disappeared as it was being made hot- hot. There were other new items but the attendance though better was not good especially from the Methodist side.

COMMITTEE ACCEPTS A NEW PROPOSAL TO GET NAMES OF OFFICE BEARERS FOR NEXT YEAR PROPOSED EARLY

Proposal brought by the secretary to get names proposed and seconded with the consent of the candidate prior to the meeting on a prescribed form was accepted by the committee to be tried out this year. The secretary explained that the purpose is to give the candidates time to reflect and be sure that they can spare some time to serve in the committee. This he said will reduce members getting elected with little time for them to consider whether they can spare a little time for Hartley and finally resulting in absentia members in the committee. This procedure will not prevent anyone proposing at the meeting but even if they want to propose at the meeting they have to fill in the form. As mentioned earlier it was decided that those proposed should be members in good standing.

News From Branches

HCPPA POINT PEDRO

Mr. Atputhanathan had a short meeting over Tea with Mr. Nadarajasundaram , President of Point Pedro branch at the University Fisheries Division. He told Mr. Atputhanathan that he had transferred RS 500 000.00 belonging to HCPPA Canada & USA to the Trust and that he is going to transfer the balance soon. In addition various other matters relating to the association was discussed.

At the AGM of HCPPA Point Pedro held in August 2004, Mr. Balasubramaniam , a former Head Prefect and at present Regional Manager Bank of Ceylon for North was elected as President.

Mr. Balasubramaniam met Mr. Atputhanathan in Colombo and discussed various matters relating to both Associations.

HCPPA NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

At the Annual General meeting held in July former Treasurer Mr. Charles Somasundaram has been elected as President. His E-mail : slv @ primus.com.au and address is : 4 Harcourt Close, Castle Hill, NSW 2154. Tel: 9894 9861.

New South Wales collected A $ 5 400 towards the purchase of land for the proposed Auditorium for Hartley. This land has been purchased. The former Prime Minister promised to allocate funds for the building of this Auditorium.

Editorial

This issue of the Newsletter focuses on the plight of Hartley. Three of the committee members, Mr Rajeswaran , Mr. Anandakrishnan and Mr. Atputhanathan , visited Hartley recently. Mr. Atputhanathan was given specific tasks by the committee to accomplish. You will find a brief report in this issue and there will be a detail report in the Year book of 2004. In addition members could see a short video presentation depicting the plight of Hartley.

Except for the laboratory and adjoining classrooms in front of the college, the rest of the school bears testimony to the wanton damage done to the school by the occupying forces. The teachers and the College administration are struggling to keep the College standards as best as they could. The teachers are huddled in a small classroom and this is their so called Staff room. It should be noted that the teachers in spite of all these shortcomings are doing their best and the International body of Hartleyites should come forward to dip into their pockets at least for a small amount and give the basic necessities like, furniture, decent classrooms, equipments and books. How many of us know that the Assembly is held in the open air in the quadrangle in front of the former Principal's office. If the government does not step in, as a second priority past pupils should get together and give a decent Hall in the new land to the college.

Let there be Light is the Hartley Motto and at this moment LET THERE BE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION for the basic necessities of the college.

M.Atputhanathan

Editor

We apologize for any mistakes that might have crept in inadvertently