Our Passion, Since 1962
Where We’ve Been
1962
It all began with Carmel Tillekeratne’s vision to open a Montessori school of her own, with the determination to make it a second home to children in her neighborhood. 58 years and over 2900 students later, we know that her vision is a reality and is alive among us today.
Starting a brand new school, undoubtedly was an enormous task. Thanks to our founder’s hardy soul, The AMI Montessori School Pagoda opened its doors on 16th July, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in the year 1962. We had 6 students and our founder as the only teacher.
Our first home was a single room in our founder’s home at 64 Pagoda Road, Nugegoda. Carmel Tillekeratne was the first Headmistress and gave the basic philosophy to our school.
At the heart of Pagoda Montessori School, stands a rare icon of our Lady of Perpetual Help, a symbol of our founder’s unshakable faith in God that she has passed on even to the next generation.
An original painting from India, a gift from the Redemptorist Fathers to our founder in 1962 has ever since been our hope, guide and protector.
Dating back to 1962, this icon of our Lady of Perpetual Help, is in its original form
and hangs on the main wall of Pagoda Montessori School, even today.
Some of the school’s very first students performing at a Concert
Some of the school’s children in 1980’s
1984
Our Annual Concert has always been a spectacular event that both children and parents alike, looked forward to. Until 1981 it was hosted in our founder’s home. Over the years, given the growth in both numbers that attended and variety of events, it became almost impossible to continue hosting it in its usual venue.
In the two years that followed, our Annual Concert was hosted as an outdoor event, in the spacious garden of our founder’s home. In 1984, for the 1st time, our Annual Concert was held in an outside venue – Bishop’s College Auditorium and since then, this has become our routine.
Our 1st concert in an outside venue, Bishop’s College Auditorium, 1984
1988
Adding a sparkle to our founder’s vision, the 1st step towards nurturing the future leader of our school becomes a reality.
Following in her mother’s foot-steps, Priyadharshani Tillekeratne, the 2nd daughter of our founder, embarks on a lifelong journey and joins AMI Montessori School Pagoda as a Teaching Assistant under the guidance of her mother.
1991
We get strength through diversity.
Turning a new chapter in our story, AMI Montessori School Pagoda was registered as Pagoda Montessori School in 1991, to adhere to Government legislation. In 1991, the AMI method of teaching was dropped completely, thus embracing the Pre-school method of Montessori education wholeheartedly.
.
The school was originally perceived as a classic Montessori school, using only Montessori materials. Over the years we have gradually become an enhanced Montessori school, including curriculum and materials that support and enhance not only the Montessori materials, but further expand upon the children’s experiences as learners.
2012
The year 2012 marked the 50th year since founding our school.
Our Annual Concert concluded with a special appreciation of gratitude to our dear founder who had served us for 50 Golden years.
50 years of selfless love, we cannot thank you enough
2015
Following a brief illness, the founder of our school, Mrs. Carmel Tillekeratne, passed away on 25th January 2015. We mourn the loss of a visionary leader, to whom we owe the existence of our school.
Although we lost the sparkle of our existence, her passion did not abandon us. She had nurtured for us one of her own daughters who has humbly followed in her mother’s footsteps from an early age of 17. Priyadharshani Tillekeratne had a rare privilege to work side-by-side with her mother, for over 25 years.
Following the demise of her mother, Priyadharshani stepped in as the Directress of Pagoda Montessori School, with the promise that her Mother’s legacy will live on.
TODAY
Pagoda Montessori School continues to thrive in our cozy space, adjoining the home of our founder, in our lovely neighborhood.
It still remains our neighborhood school, but it isn’t as small anymore. In 58 years of service, our registration has more than quadrupled and we have extended our area by more than threefold.
We continually search for new ways to recognize and celebrate our diversity. Our newest addition this year was a Sports Day, which was a key milestone in our journey.
Children taking part in an event at our 2016 Sports Day
It brings us immense joy to see the numbers of our former students’ children enrolling with us increase year over year. A heartfelt thank you to all our former students, for the confidence and trust placed in us.
Even after 58 years, the question that constantly comes to our mind is, how can we make a child’s 1st school experience a happy and memorable one. Through our answer to this qustion, the history of Pagoda Montessori School will continue to be written, over the decades to come.
