One commitment made by the newly appointed committee was that programmes would be conducted for the upliftment of the school, present Bridgetines and the needy, in addition to those conducted to promote fellowship and camaraderie among the membership

The first event held on 11th May, was by all accounts, an unmitigated success. This was the lecture cum panel discussion on Beating Exam Stress held for some 450 students of Grades 11, 12 and 13 and teachers, held under the “Lecture Series” Programme.  As decided at the outset, the resource persons were drawn from past Bridgetines, who had much to offer by way of experience, achievements and example. 

This all important discourse was given by the eminent Dr. Sunera Fernando. While Sunera gave an erudite presentation with her academic knowledge in the field, the panelists spoke briefly on their personal experiences on the subject.  The entire programme was ably moderated by Dilani Yatawaka, an achiever herself.  Her witty introduction on the main speaker, who also happened to be her classmate for a span of over 12 years, and the panelists, was interspersed with amusing anecdotes of her personal experiences with them. The panelists were Dr. Nirmala Pieris, the President, Dr. Swinitha Ranasinghe, the Vice President and Dr. Dilushi Wijayaratne.    The achievementsof the main speaker and the panellists are given briefly at the end of this account.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the students were given question cards to write down their questions. Much to the amazement   and also gratification of the panel and the PPA committee members present, there were over 40 questions. This was indeed a  reflection of the interest  shown in the presentations The questions  raised  varied  from  hum drum  to quirky and  amusing  but they were ably answered  by the panel to the satisfaction of the young audience. The 'Study Hard' video clip accompanied by the latest music hits that was played at the end was a real bonus to the girls, who were able to relate to the contents of the video.

The feedback obtained from the students, was that although they were first reluctant to attend ‘yet another lecture’, they were absolutely impressed at the understanding and attitudes expressed on the problems and travails of the average teenager, by the ‘older generation’ panelists.  Well done to the panelists and the charismatic moderator, Dilani Yatawaka, who really gave life to the event. 

Achievements of main speaker and panellists

Dr. Sunera Fernando

Academic - Deputy Head Prefect of school,  Bridgetine of the Year 1990, MBBS with Second Upper, from the University of Colombo Medical Faculty, Canekeratne Prize for General Merit by the University of Colombo, Doctorate in Psychiatry from the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine of the University of Colombo, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Extra-curricular :  Swimming captain at school, Colombo University Swimming Captain, Member of University Tennis team

Dr. Nirmala Pieris

Head Prefect in 1965, 2nd Class Honours Degree in Chemistry, University of Ceylon, Colombo, PhD University of Colombo, recipient of a Commonwealth scholarship for Post Doctoral studies, University of London,  Colours Insignia in Table Tennis. Zonta Woman of Achievement Award for Management from the Zonta Club of Colombo,1st Vice President and Asia Pacific Regional representative of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations, Consultant United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Dr.Swinitha Ranasinghe

House Prefect in school, MBBS University of Colombo, Consultant Anaesthetist,  Chairperson Board of Study of Anaesthesiology of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, former chief examiner for Medical Degree examinations, Past President, College of Anaesthesiologists of Sri Lanka and Past President - South Asian Confederation of Anaesthesiologists, Examiner for Post Graduate Medical Exams.

Dr. Dilushi Wijayaratne

Ranked 1st in Sri Lanka in the A’Level examination in year 2003, 2nd in the O’Level exam.  Deputy Head Prefect of school, MBBS with First Class Honours, University of Colombo, Student of the year award, University of Colombo, 2010, Member of School Tennis and Scrabble teams. Captain, University of Colombo Tennis team, University Sports Colours, First place, Inter University Games –Tennis