Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was keynote speaker and guest-of-honour at the commemorative launch of ACS(A), the first Methodist special education school, following the 8th Mr and Mrs Earnest Lau Memorial Lecture.
About 250 invited guests gathered for the 8th Mr and Mrs Earnest Lau Memorial Lecture, which was held at ACS (Academy)’s Teck Whye campus. Following the lecture, a Commemorative launch for ACS(A)—the first Methodist special education school—was held, graced by Keynote Speaker and Guest-of-Honour, Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
The annual lecture series commemorates Mr and Mrs Earnest Lau for their significant contributions to ACS. Established by the ACS Board of Governors with the support of ACS Foundation, it aims to inspire leaders, educators and students to grow in leadership and contribute meaningfully to education. Dr Balakrishnan reflected on the lasting influence of Mr and Mrs Earnest Lau, who had both been his principals during his ACS years. Calling them luminaries and role models, he noted those who knew them remembered them for their values and behaviour above the lessons taught in the classroom—an apt introduction to his lecture on “Leadership with Purpose: Preparing Diverse Learners for a Changing World”.
Equipping children for a changing world
Acknowledging that educators today carry a harder task than ever, Dr Balakrishnan spoke of raising young people through a period of “great seismic change”, with three revolutions happening all at once: geopolitical, technological and social. He said, “We cannot shield our children from the change and the competition and the pressure. Building walls, insulation, is not an answer. Whether we like it or not, whether we are ready or not, we have to equip our children to see the world clearly, realistically. And yet, not lose optimism, not lose hope, not lose that sense of idealism and not to lose that sense of imagination that life can be better.”
Noting that ACS school leaders were present for the event, Dr Balakrishnan encouraged educators to nurture children in three fundamental principles: to be rooted with an understanding of the past, to be fluent yet discerning with new technologies and the tools of the future, and lastly, to be open to change and to the world at large.
Dr Balakrishnan congratulated ACS (A) on this milestone and thanked school leaders, teachers, students and alumni who made this “grand endeavour” possible.
Commemorative launch of ACS(A)
School leaders and invited guests, including Bishop Philip Lim of The Methodist Church, then participated in a symbolic launch of the school, which had started its first academic year earlier on 5 January 2026.
Student performances and a school tour rounded up the joyous afternoon that celebrated God’s faithfulness and the school’s commitment to discover and develop every student that came through their doors.
Richard Seow, Chairperson of the ACS(A)‘s School Management Committee, spoke of the decade-long wait for this milestone, thanking God and The Methodist Church in Singapore, Ministry of Education, ACS Board of Governors, ACSOBA, ACS Foundation and school staff for their work in opening the new school.
“It’s been a long wait. It is in no small measure, the effort and prayers that have gone in to create this school today,” he said.
Principal of ACS(A) Esther Kwan spoke on ACS(A)‘s mission in supporting families of children with autism, framing the school’s work as service that ultimately gives glory to God.
“As we begin this new chapter, we do so with grateful hearts, hopeful spirits and a deep confidence in God’s faithfulness,” Ms Kwan said.
Lianne Ong is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of ACS (Academy)
