Old Boys, past and present teachers celebrate 10th Anniversary of ACS (BR)
LIKE a flock of migratory birds returning home at the end of winter, seven batches of Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Old Boys together with past and present teachers descended upon the Lee Kong Chian Auditorium at the ACS (Barker Road) Campus for a night of fellowship and remembrance on July 3, 2004 to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of ACS (Barker Road).
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.
Words could not describe the feeling I felt as the entire auditorium filled with a sea of flickering incandescent candle light; each flame belonging to people I had shared a part of my life with. Truly, the word “family” comes to mind.
Then, Mr Ng closed the reunion dinner with a word of prayer and as the opening trumpet call of the school anthem blared to life, I was reminded of a simple yet important fact.
Indeed, the bloodlines of the ACS family do not exist out of human will alone; rather, it is through our Heavenly Father’s divine love and grace that we have been put together as a community to bear witness to His amazing works and undying faithfulness.
Indeed, through the decade, God has saved our land and Heaven has blessed our ACS forever, that we may dwell together as “One in Spirit”.
Educated in ACS (Barker Road) from 1997-2000 where the seeds of the Christian faith were sown in his life, Darryl Sim worships today at St John’s – St Margaret’s Church.
Take time to work, play, think, worship … and plan
1. TAKE TIME to Work – It is the price of success.
2. Take time to Think – It is the source of power.
3. Take time to Play – It is the secret of youth.
4. Take time to Read your Bible – It is the foundation of knowledge and feeds the soul.
5. Take time to Worship – It is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.
6. Take time to Love – It is the one sacrament of life.
7. Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends – It is the source of happiness.
8. Take time to Dream – It hitches the soul to the stars.
9. Take time to Laugh – It is the singing that helps with life’s loads.
10. Take time to Pray – It rids us of our excess baggage.
11. Take time to Plan – It is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first ten things.