St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo
St. Bridget's Convent is a private girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was founded on 1 February 1902 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd order, making it one of the earliest Irish mission schools of the Roman Catholic Church in Ceylon. The school today consists of a Montessori school, a primary school and a collegiate school. It comprises 1324 students taught by a staff of 105 teachers. History. On 1 February 1902, at the request of T. A. Melizan, Archbishop of Colombo, St. Bridget's Convent was established as the second house  of the Good Shepherd congregation for the education of young ladies. It was the third school in the Colombo area opened by the nuns. The first classes were held at a rented house on Turret Road (Colpetty) called 'The Firs' before moving to the current location, the premises of the former Henley House, Horton Place in 1912. Two sisters, Mary of St. Francis Borgia and Mary of Our lady of Lourdes, came from the original Kotahena Convent school (Good Shepherd Convent) to undertake this work. Symbols. The Irish origins of the Good Shepherd sisters are seen in the school colours , emblem and unique traditions. The school emblem depicts in essence the heart of the school. The rationale for its functioning and for its role within and without is reflected in the school motto ‘Gently and Firmly’. The other symbols include: The patron saint of the school is St. Bridget, the patron saint of Ireland, whose feast is commemorated in the 1st of February of each year. Houses. There are 4 houses in the primary school and the collegiate school: The houses are named for Dr. T. A. Melizan, Mother St. Francis Borgia, Father G. Griaux and Dr. A. Coudert, who  were involved in the development of the school from the start.