About
Welcome to Perth Sinhala School
Perth Sinhala School is the only community language school in Western Australia that teaches Sinhala language and Sinhala culture to children. Late Mrs Nellie Gunasekera, a retired vice principal of Girls High School, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka had started the School in 1997 on the 27th of April with a handful of students in a private house. For the past 18 years, the school has been serving the Perth Sri Lankan community by teaching our language and our culture to the children of migrant families.
Integrity
Integrity
Honesty and integrity are important traits to have in anyone’s life. In the school, through open and transparent decision making and communication processes as well as through consistent school policies and actions integrity is maintained at a very high level. One of the truest tests of integrity at PSS is its blunt refusal to be compromised when certain elements, requests or actions are incongruent with school policies
Respect
Respect
In the school good student-teacher relationships, close peer relationships among students and among teachers, as well as teacher-parent relationships come from mutual respect and trust. Having regard for yourself and others, being lawful and accepting the right of others to hold different or opposing views are regarded as important aspects of respect at PSS.
Leadership
Leadership
PSS leads the School community towards its objectives with a great sense of vision and mission. Leadership skills and personality of students are also gradually developed through school’s regular programs.
Passion for Innovation
Passion for Innovation
Innovation is about turning new ideas into real practice. At PSS creativity alone is not regarded as innovation and process is also recognized as equally important. Innovation is anchored at PSS in the School’s strategy, culture, people and processes, from idea generation through to successful implementation.
Continuous Networking
Continuous Networking
Ongoing relationship building with a diverse range of stakeholders including the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI), Ethnic Schools Association of WA, Community Languages Australia, Sri Lankan Community Organizations in WA, present and past parents, students as well as with different community groups is considered by PSS as a key aspect of success. In every relationship it is also being very cautious to maintain School’s self-identity.
Meet Our School's Management Committee- 2024
Executive Management Committee
Ex-Officio Members
Other Committee Members
AMILA RATHNAYAKE
Dimuthu Peterson
Priyani Wanninayake
Shalika Weerathunga
Gemunu Vidana Gamage
Mahendra Palliyaguruge
Sujan Henkanaththegedara
Benura Vithana
Dilan Amarasinghe
Our Focus
Perth Sinhala School’s core focus is three-dimensional as it is based on three pillars. Teaching Sinhala language and culture, developing a wide array of skills and immersing students in diverse aspects of performing arts to let the children captivate Sri Lankan culture and heritage are our three lenses directing the focus of the School.
Language and Knowledge
Children are taught Sinhalese Language and Culture using new and interesting methods of education to allow acquiring of information quickly and easily.
Skill Development
A wide array of skills are developed among children using workshops, classroom activities and Muthu Keta Student Association.
Performing Arts
Children are encouraged to convey artistic expressions through regular music, drama, dancing, drumming programs conducted in Sinhalese Language.
Our Vision
To be the utmost symbol of Sinhala Language and the Sinhala Cultural Heritage in Western Australia within the frame of multiculturalism.
Philosophy:
Sinhalese Language and Culture from Generation to Generation
Motto:
Excellence through Passion (Udyogayen Vishishtathwayata)
Values:
We at PSS always value Integrity, Respect, Leadership, Passion for Innovation and Continuous Networking.
Our Mission
To realize our vision by:
Fostering Sinhala language skills of our students in the spheres of reading, speaking, writing and listening
Propagating the Sinhala Cultural Heritage among our students through School activities and participation in culturally important events to nurture and preserve cultural traditions, values and customs
Networking with diverse organizations, associations and individuals in a multi cultural society to create a win-win state of affairs
Creating a strong sustainable environment in the School through preserving our values, investments in education and outreach
Fostering Sinhala language skills of our students in the spheres of reading, speaking, writing and listening
Propagating the Sinhala Cultural Heritage among our students through School activities and participation in culturally important events to nurture and preserve cultural traditions, values and customs
Networking with diverse organizations, associations and individuals in a multi cultural society to create a win-win state of affairs
Creating a strong sustainable environment in the School through preserving our values, investments in education and outreach
Why Bilinguals are Smarter?
Speaking two languages rather than just one has obvious practical benefits in an increasingly globalized world. Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age.
— (Source: New York Times, Sunday Review, March 17- 2012 written by Gray Matter)
