Amid the electrifying atmosphere of jubilant homecoming, all eyes were on the pioneer principal of ACS (Barker Road), Mr Ng Eng Chin, as he proceeded to deliver his opening address. Following that, he led the congregation in prayer to give thanks for the fellowship and food.
More significantly, it was also to present every boy from the past seven batches to the Lord as what he termed "[the school's] first fruits" for it was by God's amazing grace that they were brought together to ACS (BR) for a purpose such that their lives could be touched and changed through God's infinite love.
A sumptuous feast had been prepared by Jack's Place. The already delectable spread of dishes that included sushi and roasted sirloin beef was further spiced by the various items that peppered the evening such as speeches, collection of items for the time capsules belonging to the respective cohorts and trivia quizzes.
As the mood sobered down, a slide show depicting snapshots of yesteryears was screened to the fitting tune of "Let It Be" by The Beatles. Memories came flooding back. Emotions of hope, joy, pain and success were evoked. This was not surprising given that for many, ACS (Barker Road) was where they had experienced a turning point - in all senses of the word - in their lives.
Right after the slide show, gifts of recognition were given out to Mr Ng, Miss Nachimuttu Pillay and Mrs Siow Yim Kheng for being the longest serving educators at the school. The trio has been around since the inception of ACS (Barker Road) in 1994.
The "icing on the cake"
for the evening culminated in a symbolic candle-lighting ceremony
where everyone gathered at the front of the hall, each holding
onto a candle. Starting from Mr Ng, a flame was passed from person
to person.