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Six schools, one family, 'ONE ACS' |
 Mrs Mildred Tan, a member of the Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors, conducting the discussions. - ACS BOG picture. |
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Six schools, one family, 'ONE ACS' |
Mrs Mildred Tan, a member of the Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors, conducting the discussions. - ACS BOG picture. |
By MILDRED TAN
MEMBERS of the ACS Board of Governors,
principals, vice-principals and heads of departments (PE and CCAs)
met at a workshop-cum-lunch at the Pines Club on July 1, 2006
to share, discuss and map out the ONE ACS initiative which embodies
the ACS Spirit and the Common Vision.
In the discussions, some of the major ideas surfaced were:
1. To create and ensure multiple platforms for ACS boys (and
girls) to interact with one another.
2. The students from various ACS schools should treat each other
as brothers (and sisters) and care for one another.
3. To inculcate a sense of belonging so that ACS students are
motivated and encouraged to stay and want to continue their education
in one of the ACS schools.
Currently, the staff and students from the different ACS schools
have collaborated in various ways - for example, in Odyssey of
the Mind, teachers from ACS (Independent) helped ACS (Junior)
got started in leadership training, and prefects of ACS (Barker
Road) are role models to ACS (Primary).
When ACS (International) was established last year, students from
ACJC were present to lend a helping hand in Orientation Week.
ACS (International) students participated in ACJC's production,
Camelot. Joint performances between ACS (Barker Road) and ACJC
were initiated in several drama productions in 2003 and 2004.
Over one weekend, a combined ACS (International) and ACS (Barker
Road) team played rugby against the ACS Old Boys.
A spokesman said: "We look forward to the day when ACS (International)
plays rugby against other schools and ACS boys (and girls) from
all the six ACS schools cheering them on; or ACS (Barker Road)
on the badminton courts with all the six ACS schools behind them.
"Truly then, will we live up to what we sing in our School
Anthem - 'our Hearts, our Hopes our Aims are One' and 'we stand
together for the cause of ACS forever!' "
Following the July 1 workshop, a retreat is planned to further
discuss and adopt the activities and programmes for the ONE ACS
initiative.
Said the spokesman: "We hope ACS parents, Old Boys and other
stakeholders will come together and join us in this exciting endeavour."
Two years ago, members of the ACS Board of Governors, principals
and vice-principals of all the ACS schools attended a one-day
strategic workshop at a hotel to discuss what is meant to be a
part of the ACS Family.
All the participants left the meeting on a high note.
The ACS Family Mission was reviewed and adopted and its core values
were well articulated.
The ACS Family Mission
The ACS BOG and the ACS schools aim to provide a holistic education
centred on Methodist teachings and values that will educate and
nurture ACS students as scholars, leaders and global citizens.
ACS Family Core Values
God-centred - Doing the right thing in the eyes of the Lord.
Loyal - Remaining true to family, school and country.
Integrity - Always doing the right thing.
Stewardship - Knowing when and how to lead and serve.
Respect - Always knowing when to accord appropriate regard.
The ACSian
Enterprising - Having a sense of adventure and risk and daring
to succeed.
Passionate - Possessing a zest for life in everything that we
undertake.
Confident - Possessing the courage to try and achieve.
Team Player - Knowing how and when to leverage on the strength
of others.
Empathy - The ability to place ourselves in the shoes of others
and to care for one another.
Although much has been achieved since the last strategic workshop,
it was decided that these bold initiatives be consolidated with
concrete steps by formulating new ideas and initiating combined
schools' activities and programmes.
The Best Is Yet To Be!
Mildred Tan is a member of the ACS Board of Governors.
Mr Tan Wah Tbong, ACS BOG
Chairman (centre) with the principals of the six ACS schools.
From left, Mr Peter Tan of ACS (Junior); the Rev Dr John Barrett,
ACS (International); Mrs Kelvyna Chan, ACJC; Mrs Lennie Cho, Deputy
Principal I of ACS (Independent); Mr Richard Lim, ACS (Primary);
and Mr Ng Eng Chin, ACS (Barker Road). - ACS BOG picture.