VICE - PRINCIPALS / DEPUTY PRINCIPALS

PAST PRINCIPALS

Rev.J.F. Haslam         

Rev.J.F. Haslam, B. A. (Cantab) was born on the year 1811 in Halifax Yorkshire. Educated at St. John's College, Cambridge (B.A 9th Wrangler 1836) he was the Principal of the Church Missionary Society Institute Cotta. He was Principal of the Colombo Academy from July 1839 to March 1840. He subsequently became Principal of the Church Missionary Society Institute, Cotta on resignation from the post of Principal Colombo Academy.

Rev Haslam is the youngest Principal (28 years) in the History of Royal College. First Principal of the Colombo Academy was of similar disposition as Rev. Marsh. He was mild, kind and greatly attached to the religion. Rev. Haslam's appointment as Principal was confirmed by the Schools Commission only on 18th January 1840. The Church of England Missionary Society wanted Haslam back at Cotta and he retired in March 1840. The Colombo Academy Miscellany of 2nd September 1839 has a "Programme for the Examinations" at the Academy on December 16th singed by J.F Haslam Principal.

The original arrangement was for Rev. Haslam to go back to the Mission at Cotta after 5 years at the Colombo Academy, but it never happened as the Church Missionary Society wanted him back earlier. On Haslam's departure his pupils presented him with a Pictorial Bible. An address was read and speeches made. His suavity of manner kindness of disposition and spiritual instruction were recorder at his farewell. Haslam arrived in Ceylon on 7th January 1839. His 25 year old wife died in March 1839. His only child who was 8 months old died in November 1839. Haslam entered into matrimony a second time when he married Sophia, daughter of Rev. Joseph Bailey of C.M.S. Cotta on 6th December 1842. She was the sister of Brooke Bailey, Headmaster of Colombo Academy, and later Rev. Brooke Bailey. Rev Haslam passed away at the age of 39 years on the 19th
March 1850 at Colombo

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Joseph Brooke Bailey        

Joseph Brooke Hailliley, Bailey M.A. (Edin)was born on the 27th January 1822 in Ceylon. He first joined Colombo Academy on 6th July 1838. Asst. to Rev. Marsh, July 1838 to December 1838. Actg. Headmaster from January 1839 to June 1839 and April 1840 to December 1841. He was Joint Headmaster from January 1842 to September 1842 with Rev. A. Kessen. He served as the Mathematics Master from 1843 to 1845and as an Inspector of Schools from 1845 to 1860. He was ordained 19th December 1847 at St. Peter's Church Colombo, by Bishop James and also an official clergyman to troops from 1850-1851. Furthermore he also served as the Secretary of the Central Schools Commission from 22nd October 1855 to 31st December 1859, and from 16th October 1862 to 1869 on a salary of £200 per annum.

Colonial Chaplain - St Peter's Church Colombo from 16th December 1862 to April 1871. Principal Bailey retired on 1st April 1871 on a pension of £380 per annum and another £50 pension. He settled in Tasmania and was Rector of St. Leonards near Launceston from 1872-1875. Rector of St John the Baptist Church, West Hobart 1875-1883. Commissionary for the Archdeaconry of Hobart (1882). Cannon of St Davids Cathedral Hobart-installed on 14th November 1883

A young man who supervised the Academy most efficiently in the absence of Rev. Marsh, Bailey was considered too young and inexperienced to be Principal by the Governor Sir Stewart Mackenzie. In recognition of Bailey's services to the Academy the Governor Sir Stewart Mackenzie who succeeded Governor Horton requested the Legislative Council to nominate 2 students from the Colombo Academy for scholarships to Bishops College, Calcutta. Said His Excellency Sir Stewart Mackenzie Governor, "For though circumstances have hitherto prevented me from placing at the Head of that Institution a Principal of more advanced age and experience, the assiduity and attainments, beyond his years, of Mr Brooke Bailey have well supported the higher characteristics acquired by the academy in such a short time."

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