PREAMBLE

Truth or Urban Legend?

The ’70s were a time of bell bottoms, slick hairstyles, disco, cultural change and technological innovation...But it was also the era where school mascots became famous in America. It became a cultural trend where mascots became a sensation, a phenomenon associated with universities and schools, brands and services, companies, communities, sports teams… you name it!

Our lore speaks of a very cool teacher from America who’d arrived in Sri Lanka in the 1970s (at the height of the mascot revolution in the US) and was employed at OSC. This gentleman had mused candidly why schools in Sri Lanka, and of course OSC, did not have their own mascot.

Soon mascot-related tete-a-tete occurred, conversations were rife and finally it was agreed that having a mascot would be a great idea.

Of course, the mascot needed to be something special, truly unique and a true representation reinforcing what OSC is, its values and what it stands for.

But then…

What would be the perfect mascot? It had to be something authentic, rare, symbolic, quirky, and easily identifiable.

Legend has it, that it was at this moment that a group of students, many of European and American heritage, suggested a creature that had left them in sheer awe.

A small but agile, quick, mysterious wonder that the students all discovered not in their gardens, or out in the wild, no sir! But inside their homes.

And the rest, as they say, is history!

A Mascot is Important

A mascot wasn’t just some trending fad, but a bona fide symbol that represented the School, its culture, philosophy, the prevalent characteristics and attributes of the students, staff and community. A mascot speaks volumes about a brand; it sheds light on the culture, quirks, superstitions and beliefs of a community, while it creates an undisputable sense of belonging.

A mascot unites all students under one symbol. It connects our OSC community, parents, educators, students and alumni to the school in a deeply personal way.

Gooooooo Geckos!

Many expatriate kids discovered a variety of house geckos in Sri Lanka for the first time in their lives – and especially within their homes!

They were drawn to and fascinated by these amazing lizards. For one thing the kids all observed how perseverant and persistent the little creatures were. They were in awe of how geckos always kept climbing up, going higher and higher!

But that’s not all. Geckos have incredible agility, speed and are nature’s best climbers. They have extraordinary skill in climbing vertical walls and upside-down ceilings, and pretty much any surface that’s rough or smooth, under any condition.

This spoke volumes to the kids as it was a perfect representation of the OSC spirit, attitude and mindset. After all, at OSC our own Geckos aspire to keep climbing higher and higher. To rise above every challenge and obstacle, to reach unprecedented terrain. To achieve goals and tirelessly make it to their destinations.

The kids were astonished by how geckos could lose their tails and could still regrow them. This showcased a real character spirit of OSC learners who regrow their willpower, determination and drive when faced with challenges themselves. Today, scientists have discovered that the stem cells that help regrow geckos tails can be used to treat human spinal injuries – amazing indeed!

Unlike most lizards, geckos are able to vocalise. They make clicks, chirps, barks, and a range of other sounds to communicate with fellow geckos.

The purpose of the sounds may vary, but one thing for sure is that OSC being an IB World School and a multinational institute that embodies harmony and diversity, have students from around the world who speak multiple languages. Yet, no matter what country our own Geckos are from and what language they speak – they all stand united as a truly tight-knit community.

Geckos are also masters of colour – able to blend perfectly with their habitat. Geckos sense, rather than see, and use their surroundings to camouflage themselves, using light-sensitive proteins in the skin known as opsins. Likewise, our Geckos are also able to adapt to any situation and environment, adopting new skills, techniques and talents to thrive and endure.

It is said that geckos tend to find their way into our bags and luggage when we move house. Which resonates with our OSC Geckos; as many kids tend to be travelling nomads who journey through different countries.

Ultimately, geckos are humble and docile – just like our students. They are never in a hurry, tend to mind their own affairs and are considered sacred in some cultures, even believed to bring good luck!

Geckos you see are cool, courageous and calm creatures. They are unique, awe-inspiring and diverse.

OSC is proud to stand by our motto: Unity in Diversity, because our Geckos are truly and unequivocally One of a Kind and a Breed Apart.