The College Crest, Flag & Anthem
College Crest

The College Crest features a shield with two elephants lying down, lifting a Cross with their trunks. The elephants, native to Sri Lanka, symbolize strength and nature’s reverence for the Creator.
- The Cross is a synergy of all the virtues sought after by humanity. And Religion, Christianity – the primary thrust of the motto.
- Over the Cross hangs a Star – showing the ‘onward view’, the upward path to look up to, the aim, the reachable goal.
- To the left, between the star and the Cross is a mountain peak – again pointing towards the pinnacle of achievement, the high ideals to strive for.
- To the right is a tree – for culture, respect for nature, the environment, the world we live in, the ethos of loving our neighbour in the natural order of things.
- All of this is set in the embrace of two curling ribbons. The ribbon above the shield bears the College motto Religio, Mores, Cultura and the ribbon below carries the College name and the letters F.S.C. which is the Latin abbreviation for Brothers of the Christian Schools – Frater Scholaticum Christianorum.
A perfect unity, drawing Benedictines to the pinnacle of spiritual and human endeavour.
College Flag

During the 1920s, Brother Wulton James, the new Irish Director, decided to change the color scheme from the triad of Blue, Gold, and Black to just two colors. He suggested using the Irish colors Green and Sky Blue to symbolize hope. Later, the Sky Blue was changed to White, and St. Benedict’s College has embraced the Green and White color combination ever since.
College Anthem
Boys of St. Benedict’s young and old,
High be your aim in life’s onward view !
Leal and devoted be to the fold,
With rever’nce meet to your shepherds true!
For Christ and Church, united we stand.
E’er loyal and staunch, or win we, or fall !
The truth to sow broadcast o’ er the land,
Promptly to rally at duty’s call!
True to our God and true to all men,
Follow we ever life’s holy plan!
Doing the duty that is to do
Bearing the cross with the crown in view.
The Anthem dates back to 1915, when Brother Arsece Cyprian was Director. Written by Proctor Mr. C.E.M. Jayawardene, who later became a district judge, the song was set to music by S. Norbert Rodrigo, a teenager at the time.
Coming from a musical family—his father, Mr. William Rodrigo, was bandmaster of the Ceylon Volunteer Force—Norbert entered a competition announced by Brother Lewis, the College Choir Master. Competing against musical giants like bandmaster Adams of the Ceylon Police Force, Brother Edwin, and his own father, Norbert’s composition was unexpectedly judged the best.
The College Anthem, with its verse in common time and chorus in sixth-eight, surpasses many in the island, praised for its marching lilt and themes of Religion, Character, Culture, and Patriotism. Norbert’s achievement was recognized by Brother Cyprian, who awarded him a bronze medal. His school success foreshadowed a brilliant career as a pianist, organist, choirmaster, bandmaster, violinist, and vocalist with an A.C.V.M. (London) qualification.
Sources
- New York Old Bens Website (nyoldbens.com/college)
- Teenager set College Anthem to music by K.S.PERERA (First published in BENRECORDER)