THOMIAN CAROL SERVICE 2025 – A Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
S.THOMAS’ COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION NSW/ACT
SATURDAY 29th NOVEMBER 2025
ALL SAINTS’ ANGLICAN CHURCH NORTH PARRAMATTA
( The following is an extract form the Carol Service Booklet)
The festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia
The story of the Thomian Carol Service is deeply intertwined with that of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols first celebrated at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, in 1947. That inaugural service, held on 7 December 1947, marked the beginning of what has become one of the most beloved and enduring spiritual traditions of the College.
It was The Rev. Roy Henry Bowyer-Yin, then Sub-Warden and Chaplain, who brought this cherished form of worship from his time at King’s College, Cambridge, where the Festival was first created in 1918. Fr Bowyer-Yin’s vision was not merely to replicate a service of music and readings, but to nurture in Thomians a living faith expressed through beauty, discipline, and heartfelt devotion.
From the very beginning, he reminded the College that this was not a concert, but an act of worship “a service in which we offer to God the best we can in music, word, and spirit.” Under his guidance, the Chapel Choir of S. Thomas became a vessel through which sacred music could move hearts and draw the school community closer to the mystery of the Incarnation.
In the decades that followed, this legacy was lovingly carried forward by dedicated musicians and chaplains, among them Mr Russel Bartholomeusz and Mr Vinodh Senadeera, who each in their time gave new depth and continuity to the service. What began as a simple expression of praise has grown into a rich tradition that continues to inspire, uniting generations of Thomians and their families in song, prayer, and thanksgiving.
Today, more than seventy-five years later, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at S. Thomas’ College remains a radiant part of the school’s spiritual life. Within the Chapel of the Transfiguration, voices rise to retell the story of salvation from the first promise of redemption to the birth of Christ through scripture, candlelight, and choral harmony. Each year, it stands as a reminder that the light which shone in Bethlehem continues to shine through all who worship in faith and love.
As we join in this same tradition here in Sydney, we do so in thankful remembrance of that first vision of a College where music, faith, and learning meet in harmony to proclaim the glory of God.
Adapted with gratitude from the article by the Chapel of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka.
Thomian Choir 2025
Sopranos
Rapti Canagasingham
Luckshila Chelliah
Ruth Jansen
Bhavani Williams
Anusha Jebanasam
Sobhini Sinnatamby
Manjula Olegasegarem
Tracey Cole
Altos
Jenny Pitman
Maeve Buultjens
Eulalie Herat
Geeta Jeevaratnam
Keshana Jeevaratnam
Tenors
Dilo Harichandran
Suren Ramachandran
Alex Richards
James Buultjens
Ryan Olegasegarem
Harsha Wansuriya
Avishka Mendis
Basses
Vasantha Weerakoon
Geoffrey De Kretser
Jerome Gasperson
Rangana Mendis
Shantha Kulasingham
Anton Massillamanу
Christopher Massillamany
LakmalRatnayake
Johann Gunawardene
Organist
Nicholas Morley
Choir Master
David Sansoni
Some photos form the Carol Service….
Bidding Prayer – Eksath Perera – S.Thomas’ College OBA NSW/ACT
Naomi Reid – Bishops College Colombo
Saratha Jayaseelan – Chundikuli Girls College Jaffna
Rapti Canagasingham – Ladies College Colombo
Antoinette Vander Staaten – St Paul’s College, Milagiriya
Milroy Jayaweerasingham – St Johns College Jaffna
Uvindhu Gopaillawa – Royal College Colombo
Dilip Kumar – Trinity College Kandy
Hemal Wickramasinghe – President – S. Thomas’ College OBA NSW/ACT
The Reverend Simon Manchester – Minister of the Word of God – Sydney, Australia
The Reverend Owen Goddard – The Rector, All Saints Anglican Church, North Parramatta
Message from The Acting Warden, S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia
It is with immense joy and profound reverence that I extend my warmest greetings on the occasion of the Thomian Carol Service 2025: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. This beautiful tradition offers us a vital opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the miracle of Christmas.
The structure of the Nine Lessons and Carols, with its progression from the Fall of Man to the Incarnation of Christ, powerfully reminds us that the Christmas story is not merely an event of the past, but the central, redeeming narrative of hope for all time. As the familiar words of Scripture are read and the Church fills with the exquisite harmonies of the Choir, we participate in a tradition that unites us across generations. It is a moment when we truly become a beacon of Light, Hope, and Peace.
I commend the dedication and tireless effort of the Choir, the Organist, the Readers, and the entire team whose commitment to musical and spiritual excellence makes this service possible each year. Your hard work enriches the spiritual life of the Thomian community, providing a sacred space for us to contemplate the arrival of the Christ-child.
May the message of the angels, the ancient prophecies, and the beautiful carols resonate deeply within us all. May the Peace of God-the true gift of Christmas dwell in your hearts throughout this festive season and the coming year.
God Bless You All
Esto Perpetua
Mr. Asanka S. Perera,
Acting Warden,
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.
S. Thomas’ College Old Boys’ Association NSW/ACT Wish to thank:
- The Reverend Simon Manchester – for graciously accepting our invitation and sharing the Christmas Message
- David Sansoni – for his dedication and devotion in training and conducting the Thomian Choir
- Members of the Thomian Choir – for selflessly sharing their talent, time, and energy in praise and worship
- Nicholas Morley – for his unstinting involvement and excellence on the organ
- The Reverend Owen Goddrad – and his staff at All Saints Anglican Church for their willing support and assistance
- All Readers of the Bible Lessons – for their willing and joyful participation
- And to you Our guests for joining us to celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Thomian Tradition of “A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols”Thank you for your presence
Thomian Carol Service Organising committee, Hemal Wickramasinghe, Ramesh Abayasekara, Kumar Rasiah, Nihal Ramanayake, Jerome Gasperson, Eksath Perera
Our Sincere thanks to All who supported us in many ways.
We wish you a Joyous Christmas And a Peaceful and Blessed New Year
The XVIII Thomian Carol Service will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026
Several other photos of the Carol Service attendees
