OUR JOURNEY to being a world-class school began in 1988 when the ACS (Independent) was issued the mandate to become one of the first independent schools in Singapore. Since then, it has made its mark not only nationally but internationally.
Some of the significant changes and achievements of the school include the launch of a number of special programmes and facilities such as the Gifted Education Programme, the Pastoral Care and Career Guidance Programme and the building of a Boarding School. We emerged as Top Boys’ School for sports and games in the National Schools competitions (“B” and “C” Divisions) for the 13th time in 14 consecutive years. We also won both regional and international awards in Sports and Games, Science and Mathematics Olympiads as well as Odyssey of the Mind, the largest creative problem-solving competition in the world.
The school went on to achieve all the top awards established by the Ministry of Education (MOE) under its Master Plan of Awards.
These include all the four “Best Practices Awards” – Teaching & Learning, Organisational Effectiveness, Student All-round Development and Staff Well-being – as well as the “School Excellence Award”. Other accolades won include achievements in the Performing Arts and Uniformed Groups, the latter of which enabled us to focus on leadership development for our Years 1-4 students to be “Scholar, Officer, Gentleman” and Years 5 and 6 students, “Scholar, Leader, Global Citizen”.
In 2001, our accomplishments were recognised with the “Singapore Quality Class” award for excellence.
Of great significance was the school’s decision to embark on an alternative pre-university course of studies, namely the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). In 2006, ACS (Independent) was the only national school to offer the IBDP, opening our doors to welcome female students. The results of our first cohort of IB students put Singapore on the world map when ACS (Independent) emerged as one of the top three schools among 1,872 IBDP World Schools across the globe. At the end of 2008, the faculty decided to prepare the school to apply for the Singapore Quality Award (SQA) to assess whether the school has truly achieved world-class standards of business excellence in management and operations. Today, we stand tall, so grateful to God that the school won this award at the Business Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on Nov 4, 2009 where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, was the Guest-of-Honour.
Looking back, I would like to especially thank members of the staff and the different levels of leadership in the school for living and breathing our shared vision of working towards excellence; their dedication, commitment and professionalism have been the hallmarks of our success. Staff, both academic and non-academic, are responsive to changes and teamwork is outstanding in terms of working out effective strategic plans and operationalising them.
On behalf of the Senior Administration, I would also like to commend staff and students for their “can do” spirit, confidence and cooperation in facing the gruelling sessions where every detail of our school life came under the close scrutiny of our assessors. This award really belongs to them.
Our gratitude also goes to our Board of Governors and Board of Management, Church, Old Boys’ Association, MOE as well as our alumni, parents and friends for their strong support.
We ascribe all glory to God for His continued blessings. We will continue to fine-tune our Performance Improvement Management System and sustain innovation as we aim to “soar on wings like eagles”, believing always that The Best Is Yet To Be! By Ong Teck Chin
Dr Ong Teck Chin is the Principal / CEO of ACS (Independent).
Rev Dr Ngoei re-appointed TTC Principal again
THE REV DR NGOEI FOONG NGHIAN (right) has been re-appointed Principal of Trinity Theological College (TTC) for another term of three years, making it his fourth term as head of the college.
He has served nine years as principal with his third term ending last month. He was first appointed principal in January 2001.
A Methodist minister since 1973, he has pastored several churches. He is also the Chairman of the Council on Communications.
TTC, the first seminary in Singapore, is governed by the Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Its students come from many parts of Asia studying in the English and Chinese programmes. TTC also provides lay training courses throughout the year to build up the faith of God’s people.