2^nd Methodist Schools Student Leadership Conference at ACS (Barker Road)

On how Methodist identity can impact nation and world

Student delegates from the various Methodist Schools. – ACS (Barker Road) picture.

By BENJAMIN KHOO BING JIE

A TOTAL of 255 student leaders from nine Methodist secondary schools recently attended the 2nd Methodist Schools Student Leadership Conference at Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road).

Organised by the ACS (Barker Road) Prefectorial Board, the student leaders came from ACS (Barker Road), ACS (Independent), ACS (International), Fairfield Methodist Secondary School, Geylang Methodist Secondary School, Methodist Girls’ School, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School, St Francis Methodist School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College took part.

The theme for the conference, held on Feb 23, was “Our Passion, Our Faith, Our Identity”. One of the main aims of the conference was to enable the participants to understand the significance of the Methodist identity and learn how they could use this unique identity to impact school, nation and the world.

The conference began with a worship service, followed by the delivery of Bishop Dr Robert Solomon’s address on our core beliefs, values, character and key competencies.

There was also a dialogue entitled “Professional Perspectives – The Power Within Us” on how a Methodist education has effectively nurtured Christian leaders. The panel included the Rev Paul Nga (Director, Ministry in Schools and Trinity Annual Conference Youth Ministries), Mr Lee Tzu Yang (Chairman, Shell Singapore and Vice-President Asia Pacific, Shell Global Solutions), Mr Choe Peng Sum (Chief Executive Officer, Frasers Hospitality), Dr Selan Sayampanathan (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital) and Mr Eugene Lim (Senior Consultant, Central Chambers Law Corporation).

After a hearty meal, the participants attended two workshops of their choice. The workshops were on various issues such as  “Peer Pressure and Integrity of Student Leadership”, “Media, Entertainment and Culture – Impact on Student Leadership”, “Social, Moral and Ethical Issues affecting Student Leadership”, “IT and Student Leadership: Responsibility and Accountability and Inter-Religious and Ethnic Sensitivities”.

The workshop speakers included Mr Tan Khye Suan, the Rev Barnabas Chong, Mr Alan Lim, Mr Alberto Au and the Rev Terence Yeo.

In the afternoon, the Prefectorial Board of ACS (Barker Road) organised water and land games. The games strengthened the Methodist spirit and provided a wonderful time of relaxation and fun.

The conference ended with a time of reflection led by Mr Alan Lim, HOD Student Well-Being, ACS (Barker Road), who asked delegates to list out three “take-aways” that they had gleaned during the conference. This was done to the music from the movie “Chariots of Fire” and was a fitting end to a very meaningful time of learning and sharing. 

In his closing address, Mr Peter Tan, Principal of ACS (Barker Road), noted the active participation and support from all the Methodist secondary schools and suggested that planning for future conferences could be joint collaborations between the schools.

ACS (Barker Road) is appreciative of the generous financial support for the conference from the Council of Education, The Methodist Church in Singapore and Barker Road Methodist Church.

Benjamin Khoo Bing Jie is a member of the 12^th Prefectorial Board, ACS (Barker Road).