ACS 126th Founder’s Day Celebrations: At Anglo-Chinese Junior College
TRUE SUCCESS HAS TO DO WITH the cultivation of character, said Bishop Dr Robert Solomon in his address as Guest-of-Honour at the Anglo-Chinese Junior College’s (ACJC) 126th Founder’s Day celebrations on March 1, 2012.
He was speaking about the “educational mission” of e Methodist Church in Singapore, which “focuses on the building of godly character based on Christian principles and virtues”. In his message, he highlighted two aspects of character – humility and compassion – to show how crucial it is to build and cultivate character through education.
The Bishop referred to the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 to show that the king’s arrogance about his material wealth and success brought about his downfall, and he became insane and lived like an animal for seven years before he humbly acknowledged God’s sovereignty and his sanity was restored. “Pride leads to spiritual insanity,” he said.
In contrast, Olympic gold medallist Eric Liddell showed a moving example of humility when he was a prisoner in World War II, receiving a rare opportunity for freedom and offering it to an expectant mother instead of considering it his right to be given priority in release from the war prison. His admirable action marked him as a great man.
Bishop Dr Solomon also highlighted the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, pointing out that the Samaritan “was not too busy nor worried to offer help when it was needed”.
In contrast, recent incidents such as the little girl in China being knocked down by trucks and left unattended by passers-by, and the 14-year-old schoolboy in Britain fainting on a busy tram platform and being ignored, show that the relentless pursuit of success may cause us to neglect the development of crucial character traits such as compassion. “What would an ACSian do?” asked the Bishop.
He reminded the attendees that the ultimate test for all people would be when Jesus judges them on how they have treated others they encountered, as mentioned in Matthew 25:31-46. “Such character is cultivated only by the grace of God,” he said, and “is a gift of God which needs attention and cultivation.” Ezekiel 36:26 records God’s promise that He will “give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you”.
The Bishop thus encouraged all present to work towards cultivating people of character in our schools, who will exhibit integrity and character in the big things in life as well as in the small duties and responsibilities given to them; who will be good not only when seen, but also unseen; and who will be more interested in their character than their reputation, in who they are than in what other people say about them.
At ACS (International)
‘Think about leading your life in the community’
ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (INTERNATIONAL) students have been told that they should do more than just learn about norms, or how to behave.
“Learn the norms but also, when you can spot them, think about them … whether they make sense, whether they seem right, to you (not just to your teachers).”
is piece of advice was given by Mr Chen Show Mao, the Guest-of-Honour at the school’s Founder’s Day on March 1, 2012. Mr Chen, an MP for Aljunied GRC, is an Old Boy of the school. “Norms may change,” he said, as the world changes and people change. “And we need you to think about how they should change: how better to behave, to lead your life in your community. is is the grand endeavour in which we all have a part to play.”
On learning and thinking about the norms of the community, about how to live, he said “there is no better place than in your school right here.
“Why do I say that? One word: ‘International’. “Here you understand better than most that your community can be the global village. Here you are in close contact with classmates who have different views, customs, ways of speaking, thinking and living that help you think about your own. they help you think about the norms that you follow.
“Compared to the ACS I attended, this school is so much better equipped to challenge and educate its students, with the differences among them. at’s often how we learn best – from people who are different from us.”
At ACS (Barker Road)
‘Dream your dreams … and dream bigger dreams’
THE GUEST-OF-HONOUR at ACS (Barker Road), Dr Chia Shi-Lu, challenged the students to “dream your dreams, make them come true, and dream again yet bigger and better dreams”.
“We live in a stable society, a strong and caring society, a society which awaits you to make it even stronger and more caring. If you are thinking of doing something meaningful, then do it … If you are thinking of writing your own app which will outshine Angry Birds or Plants vs Zombies, then sit down and give it a go!” said Dr Chia, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and an Old Boy of ACS, who was sharing three personal observations with the students.
He added: “Even as you pursue your dreams, remember that much as you look to others to help you to achieve your goals, you should always look around you, and also behind you, for there will be others who will also need your help.”
Dr Chia told the students that they have had the good fortune of benefitting from a good education and the support of loving parents and steadfast friends, and so they should make use of this gift to enrich others as they do themselves.
“Finally, reach out to those around you, your family, your friends, those in the community, then those outside your community and build lasting and meaningful relationships. ere is a big and exciting world out there, reach out more to your friends and families, students from other schools and walks of life, the people who cook your food and bring food to your table, the people who look after you when you are ill or who drive you to school and back.
“As we learn about others, we also learn so much for ourselves and about ourselves, and this is so very precious.”