AVEMARIANS IN ONE BREATH…ONE STEP…

Ave Maria convent founded by the sisters of Good Shepherd and was established as a girls’ school in 1938 in Negombo. During the past 73 years of existence the school has moulded over 90,000 girls to be good citizens and achievers in Sri Lanka and overseas.

With over 2000 students currently studying in the school from Kindergarten to Advanced levels, AMC has excelled in curricular and extra curricular activities. Being amongst the top schools on best examination results for Grade 5 scholarship, O/L’s and A/L’s Avemarians have also won many all island drama contests including Shakespeare. In addition to these achievements, students of Ave Maria Convent have also won Zonal, District and National level awards for sports such as swimming, volleyball, netball, basketball etc…

Just as it has always been the interest of the school to work towards the benefit of the students Ave Maria Convent is also concerned of the neighboring schools and it is with this intention that in 2009 the construction project of the school’s auditorium was started. This auditorium is the largest in the Gampaha District, fully facilitated and completed with DTS technology. This auditorium will be one of its kind which is geared by Sri Lanka’s finest Building Construction Company –M/s Sanken Lanka Limited.

In order to fund this venture, the Past Pupils Association, School Welfare Association, Teachers and Parents approached the wider community by a walk in September 20th 2009. The walk, themed as ‘Step by Step towards excellence’ was a massive success.

This year too Ave Maria Convent, initiated by the Welfare Board, Past Pupils Association, Parents and Teachers have decided to host a Walk, Raffle and Fun Fair coupled with many valuable prizes and events lined up for the fund raiser. The intended collection of funds from the walk is projected at Rs.30 million.

Themed as ‘One breath…One step…’ This event is planned for Saturday the 17th September and Sunday the 18th September 2011 at the Convent grounds. Proceedings of the 1st day will commence with Holy Mass at 7.00 am at the school and the walk will begin immediately after the Mass. The walk which consists of 3km route around Negombo town will start and end at the School main gate. The route is attached for your reference. Rev. Sisters, Invitees, Teachers, School Children, Western &Eastern bands including all school committees, Parents, Past Pupils, Welfare Board members and well wishers will join the walk. We hope to add colour and glamour by including Floats, Mobile Propaganda Vehicles, Vintage Vehicles, Kandyan Dancers, Stilt Walkers, Whip Crackers, Horse Carriages and Pipers etc., Proceedings of both the days will wind up with a musical show.

A popular DJ will provide Music from 11.00 am on both days to entertain the participants. The Musical shows will commence at 7.00 pm with Sri Lanka’s most popular Bands – Nalin and the Marians, Sunil Perera of Gypsies, Doctor. Various Guest Artists – Bathiya & Santush, Lahiru and Shehan, Dance Troupes and Comedy skits are expected to be performed at this event.

All persons entering the school premises will be subjected to a security check at the entrance.

The Fun Fair will comprise numerous Food Stalls Eastern and Western, Trade stall, BOI Garment Stalls, Kiddies Corner, Ice Cream Parlours and Soft Drinks stalls etc.,

A Raffle Ticket priced at Rs.100/= per ticket would be on sale for which the 1st Prize would be a Maruti Suzuki Car and many valuable consolation prizes. Tickets will be sold amongst private circulation. The draw will take place in the evening on the 18th of September.

The Grand finale will end with a Firework display.

We have appointed sub committees comprising over 300 personnel inclusive of Parents, Teachers, Welfare Committee and Past Pupils Association to make our task easy to make this event a great success.

Sub committees are appointed for the following; Sponsorship, Advertising & Promotion, Food & Beverage, Security, Souvenirs, Banners, Promotional items, Entertainment, Ground Handling & Stall Arrangements and the Raffle. The names of main committee and sub committee chairpersons list is attached herewith.

We seek the immense support of the media personnel for the success of this event.