“Train
up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
As
we celebrate our 119th Founder’s Day, I am full of thanksgiving
as I look back on the rich history of ACS. Truly, many have
laboured tirelessly to keep ACS growing from strength to strength.
When I took over the leadership of ACS (Primary), I was glad
to see that it has been emphasizing an all-round education;
the school not only emphasizes
academic excellence but also provides opportunities for pupils to excel in
CCA and to develop a great Christian spirit and an outstanding character. We
cannot just build giants of knowledge but future generations of ACSians with
a heart for others. Many of our old boys are sending their sons back to their
alma mater because they believe in the kind of education ACS is providing.
We need to be different from others – it is very easy to provide an education
just for academic achievement – lots of drill and practice will do the
magic. However, as the Chinese proverb goes: “It takes ten years to plant
a big tree but it takes a hundred years to build a great man.” As I read ‘The
ACS Story’, I cannot help but salute the pioneers of the school who developed
the mission and values of ACS.
“If
you must choose, take the good name rather than great riches;
For to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and
gold.” Proverbs 22:1
With
this proverb in mind, ACS(P) started the Character Building
Programme – HOPE – to teach pupils the values of
Humility, Obedience, Persistence and Empathy. The school also
developed the acronym ROSE as the ultimate goal of the character
building. At the end of six years, it is hoped that our boys
will develop Respect for Others, for Self and the Environment,
spreading the ‘fragrance of ROSE’ (their character).
We started this year by emphasizing the foundation of our Character
Building Programme – God’s Word, by teaching from
Psalms 119:9 –“How
can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to God’s
Word.” And our boys have made us very proud
because they have displayed such fragrance by responding to
God’s Word in showing love and concern for one another.
To
achieve the school vision of moulding and nurturing our boys ‘to
be (young) men of character, credibility and capability’ and
to prepare them for the challenges of this new century, the
school is excited about our latest initiatives and programmes.
In order to ensure that teachers are able to implement these
successfully, the school has re-organised itself and repackaged
the programmes so that teachers will be supported by an efficient
system. We have set aside every Friday afternoon for professional
sharing/discussions and supporting one another in curriculum
planning. I have read about how much past ACS teachers have
done for the old boys; we are confident that our present teachers
are just as committed and sacrificial in their care of our
boys. What they need today is support from all our stakeholders
in order for them to be effective in the classrooms. I believe
that ‘We cannot give what we do not have.’ Unless
teachers feel cared for and are adequately trained, they will
not be able to care for and teach our pupils better. We look
forward to achieving greater things for God and the pupils
for ‘ The Best Is
Yet To Be’.
On
behalf of the staff and pupils of ACS(P), I wish the ACS family
a God Blessed 119th Founder’s Day. May God our Father
receive all the Glory and Praise for seeing us through so many
fruitful years. May He continue look upon us with favour and
continue to shower blessings upon us in the years to come.
Amen.
