Dear Old Lawrencians,

In recent years, the OLA community has come so much closer to each other; our relationships and bonds are stronger than ever, despite the many adversities that we experienced. The support, encouragement and kinship of Old Lawrencians from across the world have clearly shown that “we [may] live our life, in stress and strife; [but] with the power and the will to win.” 

At the virtually-held OLA Annual General Body Meeting and Global Meet in 2021, the outgoing President John K. Paul, batch of 1970, in his address emphasised on the amazing diversity of the global OL community, the camaraderie and values that it shares, and the selfless support of alumni members towards each other whenever required. These are just a few of the many reasons we have come to become a closely knit global community over the years.  

Our collective purpose has always been and still remains today, to build upon these intimate relationships - improving interaction, networking, and philanthropic engagements among the global OL community. 

To this effect, the OLA Committee two years ago decided to increase its strength and expand its capabilities by inducting various alumni into the working group. This further laid the base for many OLs to take up key positions in the Committee, thus ensuring continuity and improvements in all the programmes the OLA undertakes in the long term. These members brought with them diverse strengths, skills, and capabilities, and have played an important role in the digital transformation of the community and its initiatives.  

The team then set out on a mission - “Zero Degrees of Separation - Bringing the Global OL Family Together.” With various interactive engagements in both offline and online environments, have since delivered remarkable results. 

Several social, cultural, educational, and professional activities have been developed and implemented over the past years. From variety entertainment to thought leadership, knowledge sharing and networking initiatives, to community support programmes - all created and overseen by alumni volunteers from across the world, to bring the community together through enriched and shared experiences. 

This year, the OLA committee and its ever-growing group of volunteers aims to take these initiatives to the next stage of our mission - “Improving Global OL Outreach and Engagement.” 

Some of the areas that we plan to focus on in the coming year are: 

• Improve community governance, communication, and engagement through digital platforms. 

• Continually improve the new OLA website to streamline community initiatives and efforts. 

• Facilitate intergenerational engagement and collaboration opportunities through the introduction and development of online learning and mentorship initiatives. 

• Increase global OL interaction and support through chapter engagements. 

• Improve OL community support programs through community-sourced and funded initiatives. 

As the new Committee takes its first steps into this august office of the Old Lawrencians Association, we realise that we still have much to achieve. Continuing in the footsteps of those that have been a part of this organisation in the past, we aim to do our best to uphold the values they have laid out - school pride, camaraderie, generosity, and continuous improvement of community development and engagement.  

I am ever so grateful for all those that have over the years worked so enthusiastically and tirelessly to lead the community and participate in its affairs and functioning. There are far too many to name, and on behalf of the new OLA Committee, I would like to thank each one for their continued effort and role. Additionally, I would also like to thank the Headmaster and the school for their support in the success of all the programs we undertake. 

Ongoing collective participation and effort are necessities in making any community strong and successful in its endeavours. We have come a really long way together, but still have a long distance to cover. I would like to encourage all Lawrencians, old and new, to come forward and be part of various initiatives of your interest. 

‘And we’ll show the world our flag unfurled; with our watchwords, “Never Give In.”’ 

Elizabeth (Beena) Belliappa neé Tharakan
Batch of 1970
OLA President