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Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Encyclopedia
The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is a Methodist secondary school
in Singapore. It is a descendant of a school established in 1886 by Rev William Fitzjames Oldham at 70 Amoy Street, Singapore, and one of a group of educational institutions collectively known as the Anglo-Chinese School
. In recognition of its independent status, the school, previously Anglo-Chinese Secondary School (ACSS), was renamed ACS (Independent) in 1988. It moved to its current Dover Road campus in 1992. Further extension work began in 2005 and the school campus now consists of 11 hectares of land, classrooms and laboratories, a boarding school and sporting facilities. The school extension cost SGD 58 million, most of which was subsidised by the Ministry of Education. The remainder (roughly SGD 12 million) was financed through fundraisers.
ACS (Independent) was consistently ranked as one of the top 20 secondary schools in Singapore in the now-defunct official school rankings released by the Ministry of Education. It was awarded the pinnacle award of MOE's Masterplan of Awards, the Singapore Quality Award (SQA), the School Excellence Award (SEA) together with the School Distinguished Award (SDA). In October 2009, it was announced that ACS (Independent) had been awarded the Singapore Quality Award (SQA).
The school offers two main routes of education - the Express Stream and the Integrated Programme
. The Express Stream is a four-year course leading to GCE 'Ordinary' Level Examinations, while the Integrated Programme is a six-year course culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It was recognised as an IB World School in 2005 and its first batch of students did well: nine students out of the 20 who obtained a perfect score of 45 points came from ACS(I). A similar feat was repeated in 2009, where 13 of the 27 students worldwide who obtained a perfect score came from ACS(I). It is currently the only national school in Singapore to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
In sports, ACS(I) has won The Straits Times 'Top School in Sports (Boys)' award 14 times, starting with the first award in 1996 and winning thereafter every year till 2010, with the exception of 1999.
, targeted at high-achieving students. As these students are expected to attend university, the Ministry of Education decided that it would benefit them to bypass GCE 'O' Level and sit directly for a pre-university examination. Accordingly, in 2004 ACS(I) began its Integrated Programme, with a view to preparing its students to sit for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Intakes for the Integrated Programme are at Years 1, 3 and 5.
IP students take different subjects from the Express stream students, helping them to adjust to the rigours of the IBDP. Amongst the subjects specially covered for the Integrated Programme are Introduction to Human Societies (IHS): a multi-disciplinary humanities subject; Language Arts, an English Literature subject; and Philosophy of Disciplines (POD): a Philosophy subject. They also have to complete a total of 120 hours of Creativity, Action, Service, and Leadership (CASL) and submit an Individualised Study Option (ISO) which prepares them for the IBDP's Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE).
In 2008 it was reported that ACS(I) students taking the IB exams for the first time had produced results that were among the best in the world: nine students had obtained the perfect score of 45, making up almost half the 20 candidates worldwide to do so. It was also reported that ACS(I)'s performance put it among the top three IB schools in the world. In 2010, 27 students worldwide were reported to have achieved the perfect score, and 13 of them came from ACS(I) November 2009 examination cohort; in 2011, it was announced that ACS(I) had produced 28 students from the November 2010 batch who earned the perfect score.
ACS(I)'s IB programme produced its first President's Scholar
, Joshua René Jeyaraj, a graduate of the 2009 November examination batch, in 2010.
, who held the post from 1994 to October 2010. From 5 October 2010, Mrs Fanny Tan was appointed acting principal in his stead, until the appointment of Mr Winston James Hodge as new principal with effect from 21 June 2011.
The houses in chronological order, and their house colours, are:
is at 119 Dover Road, Singapore 139650. It houses around 400 students, mostly overseas scholars from the People's Republic of China
, Indonesia
, Vietnam
, Malaysia, and India
.
The principal sometimes invites students who under-perform academically to stay in boarding school for a study camp during important years such as Year 4; this is sometimes aptly but tactlessly referred to as "Concentration Camp". Many of the teachers residing in the boarding school provide academic assistance to students staying there during a daily 2-hour prep time.
There are 8 halls in the Boarding School. They are named after famous figures that contributed to the school: Theodore R Doraisamy, Lee Kong Chian, Tay Eng Soon, Thio Chan Bee, Runme Shaw, Henry Martyn Hoisington, Thomas William Hinch, and William F Oldham; James Stuart Nagle being the extension of William F Oldham hall since 2011.
. It contains over 25,000 books, reference materials and IB syllabus-based course books. The library was extended in 2007, making it one of the largest school libraries in Singapore. Library facilities include the heritage walk, a permanent exhibition on the history of ACS.
won the title. The record number of gold medals in a single season was achieved in 2002, where it won 13 gold medals and 11 silver medals. The school has held many winning streaks such as the "B" Division Rugby Title from 1997–2003 and the "C" Division Rugby Title from 1997–2009. In 2008, ACS (Independent) won a grand slam in Rugby, winning all three "A" Division, "B" Division and "C" Division titles.
competitions since 1998, when its teams represented Singapore at the World Finals in Disneyworld, Florida
. In 1999, 2000 and 2001, ACS(I) sent teams to the Finals at the University of Tennessee
and University of Maryland
respectively. Dr Ong Teck Chin, the school's former principal, is also the tournament director for OM in Singapore.Odyssey of the Mind.
In 2006, ACS (Independent) sent three teams to compete in the World Finals in Iowa State University
, USA. ACS(I) won its first under-20 World Champions title. It also won the Under-20 Silver Medal and Under-15 Bronze Medal. The World Champions team was composed of year 5 students, the first batch of ACS(I) students taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
In 2007, ACS (Independent) sent four teams to the World Finals in Michigan State University
, USA. For the first time, two teams were crowned World Champions in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories. The other two teams clinched 4th place in another Under-15 division and 5th place in another Under-20 division.
The Debate Team is among the best in the nation. With a very strong debate tradition, the school continually produces top-notch debaters who go on to represent Singapore at the World Schools Debating Championships
. ACS(I) emerged National Champions in 1998 and 2005 and 1st Runner-Up in both 2004 and 2006 in the Singapore Secondary Schools Debating Championships. In 2010, ACS (Independent) emerged champions in the Ministry of Finance Budget Debate for the Secondary School division and 1st Runner-Up for the Pre-University division.
ACS (Independent)'s Philharmonic Orchestra has obtained five consecutive Gold Awards in the Singapore Youth Festival
competition, and is the only youth string ensemble to have done so. The Orchestra achieved two Gold with Honours awards at the recent 2007 SYF competition, for both its Secondary and College String groups. It has collaborated with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band in March 2007, and also became the featured orchestra in the 2007 HSBC Young Talents' Concert.
The Symphonic Band won a Gold with Honours award in the 2005 and 2007 SYF competition, the only youth wind ensemble to have done so in Singapore. It was ranked as one of the top three bands in both the 2005 and 2007 SYF competitions. The band took part in the 17th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney, Australia, and attained a Gold Award. In the 1st Singapore International Band Festival, the band achieved the only Gold Award in the Open Category, and achieved second place in the Finals, winning $4000. In April 2009, they received the third consecutive Gold With Honours in Singapore Youth Festival Competition, being the only school besides St Patricks' School to have achieved so.
The Choir, established in the 1980s, has taken part in many international and local choral competitions and workshops. The Choir has achieved a Gold award in the 2009 SYF Central Judging, as well as a Gold award in the recent 2011 SYF Central Judging. The Choir also obtained a Gold award at the Genting International Choral Competition in 2007. The Choir is conducted by Phua Ee Kia. Two branches of the Choir, the IB Choir and the Alumni Choir were set up in 2006 and 2008 respectively. From 2011, the IB Choir is re-branding itself as the school's A Cappella Society. The A Cappella Society is conducted by Elaine Wan Chan
.
The Guitar Orchestra, established in 2003, has won three consecutive Gold medals in the SYF competitions, with a Gold award for its Secondary Orchestra and a Gold with Honours award for its College Orchestra in the 2007 SYF competition. The Secondary Orchestra obtained a Gold with Honours award in the 2009 SYF competition. It also hosts a yearly concert event, F.R.E.T.S (Finally a Really Exciting Thing to See).
Dance Venia, established in 2005, won the Gold with Honours Award at the Singapore Youth Festival
Central Judging 2009, on their first time participating in the event. With the instructions of main choreographer Jennifer Pau and other guest choreographers, the club continues to excel the art of dancing by putting up performances including Festival of Arts 2008, 2009, the upcoming 2010, alongside with competing in various competitions including DanceWorks 2010.
A publicity document for entry into the school's International Baccalaureate (IB) programme from age 16/17 to age 18/19 says that a punishment for violations of the school's academic honesty policy is "Caning (only for male students) which will be conducted in the Principal’s office, classroom or during school assembly." "All students who have been caned will be required to attend counselling sessions arranged by the school."
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in Singapore. It is a descendant of a school established in 1886 by Rev William Fitzjames Oldham at 70 Amoy Street, Singapore, and one of a group of educational institutions collectively known as the Anglo-Chinese School
Anglo-Chinese School
The Anglo-Chinese School ; is a family of Methodist schools in Singapore, and Indonesia.The name is usually abbreviated as "ACS", with the junior college as "ACJC", and its students and alumni referred to as "ACSians" , or "ACS boys" .ACS was the first school...
. In recognition of its independent status, the school, previously Anglo-Chinese Secondary School (ACSS), was renamed ACS (Independent) in 1988. It moved to its current Dover Road campus in 1992. Further extension work began in 2005 and the school campus now consists of 11 hectares of land, classrooms and laboratories, a boarding school and sporting facilities. The school extension cost SGD 58 million, most of which was subsidised by the Ministry of Education. The remainder (roughly SGD 12 million) was financed through fundraisers.
ACS (Independent) was consistently ranked as one of the top 20 secondary schools in Singapore in the now-defunct official school rankings released by the Ministry of Education. It was awarded the pinnacle award of MOE's Masterplan of Awards, the Singapore Quality Award (SQA), the School Excellence Award (SEA) together with the School Distinguished Award (SDA). In October 2009, it was announced that ACS (Independent) had been awarded the Singapore Quality Award (SQA).
The school offers two main routes of education - the Express Stream and the Integrated Programme
Integrated Programme
The Integrated Programme , also known as through-train programme , is a scheme which allows the brightest pupils at secondary schools in Singapore to bypass the "O" levels and take the "A" levels, International Baccalaureate or an equivalent examination directly at the age of 18 after six years of...
. The Express Stream is a four-year course leading to GCE 'Ordinary' Level Examinations, while the Integrated Programme is a six-year course culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It was recognised as an IB World School in 2005 and its first batch of students did well: nine students out of the 20 who obtained a perfect score of 45 points came from ACS(I). A similar feat was repeated in 2009, where 13 of the 27 students worldwide who obtained a perfect score came from ACS(I). It is currently the only national school in Singapore to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
In sports, ACS(I) has won The Straits Times 'Top School in Sports (Boys)' award 14 times, starting with the first award in 1996 and winning thereafter every year till 2010, with the exception of 1999.
History
ACSS was offered 'independent' status by Singapore's Ministry of Education in 1987. This was accepted by the ACS Board of Governors. Between 1987 and 1989, plans were drawn up for the establishment of a new campus for ACS at Dover Road. In January 1992, the move to the new campus was completed. The site was opened by Dr Richard Hu, Minister of Finance of Singapore, on 1 March 1993, the 107th anniversary of the school’s founding by Bishop Oldham. In 2008 the school celebrated 20 years of independence by having a two-day-long celebration on 29 February 2008 and 1 March 2008. The event was attended by Dr Tony Tan, for the government. The school also released a set of limited edition stamps for local use and a 20th anniversary book.Education routes
In GCE 'Ordinary' level examinations, ACS(I) has been ranked amongst the top 15 institutions in Singapore for a number of years since 1995. In recognition of its academic excellence, the school was invited by the Ministry of Education to run an Integrated ProgrammeIntegrated Programme
The Integrated Programme , also known as through-train programme , is a scheme which allows the brightest pupils at secondary schools in Singapore to bypass the "O" levels and take the "A" levels, International Baccalaureate or an equivalent examination directly at the age of 18 after six years of...
, targeted at high-achieving students. As these students are expected to attend university, the Ministry of Education decided that it would benefit them to bypass GCE 'O' Level and sit directly for a pre-university examination. Accordingly, in 2004 ACS(I) began its Integrated Programme, with a view to preparing its students to sit for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Intakes for the Integrated Programme are at Years 1, 3 and 5.
IP students take different subjects from the Express stream students, helping them to adjust to the rigours of the IBDP. Amongst the subjects specially covered for the Integrated Programme are Introduction to Human Societies (IHS): a multi-disciplinary humanities subject; Language Arts, an English Literature subject; and Philosophy of Disciplines (POD): a Philosophy subject. They also have to complete a total of 120 hours of Creativity, Action, Service, and Leadership (CASL) and submit an Individualised Study Option (ISO) which prepares them for the IBDP's Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE).
In 2008 it was reported that ACS(I) students taking the IB exams for the first time had produced results that were among the best in the world: nine students had obtained the perfect score of 45, making up almost half the 20 candidates worldwide to do so. It was also reported that ACS(I)'s performance put it among the top three IB schools in the world. In 2010, 27 students worldwide were reported to have achieved the perfect score, and 13 of them came from ACS(I) November 2009 examination cohort; in 2011, it was announced that ACS(I) had produced 28 students from the November 2010 batch who earned the perfect score.
ACS(I)'s IB programme produced its first President's Scholar
President's Scholar
A President's Scholar is a recipient of the most prestigious class of university undergraduate scholarships awarded to Singapore citizens by the Government of Singapore. In most years, only 2-4 President's Scholarships are awarded...
, Joshua René Jeyaraj, a graduate of the 2009 November examination batch, in 2010.
Principals
The Principal of the school is also the school's Chief Executive Officer. The first Principal of the independent school was Lawrence Chia, an associate professor of chemistry at the National University of Singapore and a Presbyterian elder. Professor Chia stepped down at the end of 1993 and one of his two vice-principals was selected to replace him. This was Dr Ong Teck ChinOng Teck Chin
Ong Teck Chin is a Singaporean educator.He was formerly the Principal/CEO of Anglo-Chinese School , and resident warden of its boarding school.- Background :...
, who held the post from 1994 to October 2010. From 5 October 2010, Mrs Fanny Tan was appointed acting principal in his stead, until the appointment of Mr Winston James Hodge as new principal with effect from 21 June 2011.
The House System
The house system is a way of grouping students into mutually competitive groups. It was introduced on 16 April 1929 during the tenure of Principal Thomas W Hinch. ACS Houses were named initially after churchmen Bishop James Thoburn, Bishop William F Oldham, and Rev Goh Hood Keng; and philanthropists Tan Kah Kee and Cheong Koon Seng. In 2005, three other benefactors of the school were honoured by having houses named after them: these were Dr Lee Seng Gee, Dr Shaw Vee Meng and Tan Sri Dr Tan Chin Tuan.The houses in chronological order, and their house colours, are:
- Thoburn (Green)
- Oldham (Red)
- Goh Hood Keng (Yellow)
- Tan Kah KeeTan Kah KeeTan Kah Kee was a prominent businessman, community leader, and philanthropist in colonial Singapore, and a Communist leader in the People's Republic of China.- Early years :...
(Black) - Cheong Koon Seng (Light Blue)
- Lee Seng Gee (Purple)
- Shaw Vee Meng (Dark Blue)
- Tan Chin Tuan (Tan)
Boarding school
The ACS (Independent) Boarding SchoolBoarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
is at 119 Dover Road, Singapore 139650. It houses around 400 students, mostly overseas scholars from the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Malaysia, and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
The principal sometimes invites students who under-perform academically to stay in boarding school for a study camp during important years such as Year 4; this is sometimes aptly but tactlessly referred to as "Concentration Camp". Many of the teachers residing in the boarding school provide academic assistance to students staying there during a daily 2-hour prep time.
There are 8 halls in the Boarding School. They are named after famous figures that contributed to the school: Theodore R Doraisamy, Lee Kong Chian, Tay Eng Soon, Thio Chan Bee, Runme Shaw, Henry Martyn Hoisington, Thomas William Hinch, and William F Oldham; James Stuart Nagle being the extension of William F Oldham hall since 2011.
The Shaw Library and Resource Centre
The library is named after its financial benefactor, Runme ShawRunme Shaw
Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw, K.St.J was the chairman and founder of the Shaw Organisation of Singapore. Runme Shaw and his brother, Run Run Shaw , together known as the Shaw Brothers, were pioneers in the film and entertainment industry in Singapore and Malaya, and brought to life the movie industry in...
. It contains over 25,000 books, reference materials and IB syllabus-based course books. The library was extended in 2007, making it one of the largest school libraries in Singapore. Library facilities include the heritage walk, a permanent exhibition on the history of ACS.
Sports and games
ACS (Independent) has achieved good sporting results through the years, having produced national champions and national sportsmen. It has been strong in swimming, sailing, water-polo and rugby. It has been The Straits Times Top School in Sports (Boys) in an almost unbroken streak since this title was first awarded, from 1996 to 2009. The exception was 1999, in which The Chinese High SchoolThe Chinese High School
The Chinese High School , formerly Singapore Nanyang Overseas Chinese Middle School was an independent school in Singapore offering secondary education. The school was founded by Tan Kah Kee on 21 March 1919 and it merged with Hwa Chong Junior College on 1 January 2005 to form Hwa Chong Institution...
won the title. The record number of gold medals in a single season was achieved in 2002, where it won 13 gold medals and 11 silver medals. The school has held many winning streaks such as the "B" Division Rugby Title from 1997–2003 and the "C" Division Rugby Title from 1997–2009. In 2008, ACS (Independent) won a grand slam in Rugby, winning all three "A" Division, "B" Division and "C" Division titles.
National inter-schools championships (1989 onwards; 2007 onwards for "A" Division)
- Air pistol
- "C" Division:
- "B" Division: 2006, 2009
- "A" Division: 2010
- Air rifle
- "C" Division: 2003
- "B" Division: 2010
- Badminton
- "C" Division: 1996, 1997
- "B" Division: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998
- "A" Division: 2010, 2011
- Bowling
- "C" Division: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011
- "B" Division: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Canoeing
- "C" Division: 2000, 2004, 2010
- "B" Division: 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- "A" Division: 2008
- Cricket
- "C" Division: 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
- "B" Division: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- "A" Division: 2010
- Golf
- "C" Division: 2008
- "B" Division: 2010
- Rugby (15-a-side)
- "C" Division: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
- "B" Division: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
- "A" Division: 2008, 2011
- Sailing
- "C" Division: 1999, 2000, 2001,2004, 2006
- "B" Division: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008
- "A Boys" Division: 2008
- Softball
- "C" Division
- "B" Division: 2006, 2007
- "A" Division:silver 2007, 2008
- Squash
- "C" Division: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- "B" Division: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
- "A" Division: 2007, 2008
- Swimming
- "C" Division: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
- "B" Division: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Tennis
- "C" Division: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011
- "B" Division: 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
- "A" Division: 2008
- Water-Polo
- "C" Division: 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- "B" Division: 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011
- X-Country
- "C" Division
- "B" Division: 2004
Odyssey of the Mind
ACS (Independent) has been affiliated with the international Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind, often called OM , is a creative problem-solving competition involving students from kindergarten through college. Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem ; and present their solution to the problem at a competition...
competitions since 1998, when its teams represented Singapore at the World Finals in Disneyworld, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. In 1999, 2000 and 2001, ACS(I) sent teams to the Finals at the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
and University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
respectively. Dr Ong Teck Chin, the school's former principal, is also the tournament director for OM in Singapore.Odyssey of the Mind.
In 2006, ACS (Independent) sent three teams to compete in the World Finals in Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, USA. ACS(I) won its first under-20 World Champions title. It also won the Under-20 Silver Medal and Under-15 Bronze Medal. The World Champions team was composed of year 5 students, the first batch of ACS(I) students taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
In 2007, ACS (Independent) sent four teams to the World Finals in Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, USA. For the first time, two teams were crowned World Champions in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories. The other two teams clinched 4th place in another Under-15 division and 5th place in another Under-20 division.
Clubs and societies
The school offers more than 10 clubs and societies, in diverse fields. The list of clubs and societies are as follows:- Art Club
- Astronomy Club
- Chinese Chess Club
- Computer Services Team
- Debating Team
The Debate Team is among the best in the nation. With a very strong debate tradition, the school continually produces top-notch debaters who go on to represent Singapore at the World Schools Debating Championships
World Schools Debating Championships
The World Schools Debating Championships is an annual English-language debating tournament for high school-level teams representing different countries.In recent years, the championships have involved teams from over 40 nations each year.-History:...
. ACS(I) emerged National Champions in 1998 and 2005 and 1st Runner-Up in both 2004 and 2006 in the Singapore Secondary Schools Debating Championships. In 2010, ACS (Independent) emerged champions in the Ministry of Finance Budget Debate for the Secondary School division and 1st Runner-Up for the Pre-University division.
- Environment Focus Group
- Interact Club
- International Chess Club
- Library Services Team
- Mathematics Challenge
- Media Production Team
- Media Resource Team
- Photography Club
- Robotics
- Science Research Challenge
Cultural activities
The school offers the following Performing Arts CCAs:- ACS Independent Stage (ACSIS)
- Chinese Performing Arts
- Choir
- Dance Venia
- Drama
- Guitar Orchestra
- Military Bagpipe Band
- Philharmonic Orchestra
- Symphonic Band
- Wind Ensemble
ACS (Independent)'s Philharmonic Orchestra has obtained five consecutive Gold Awards in the Singapore Youth Festival
Singapore Youth Festival
The Singapore Youth Festival is an annual event in Singapore organised by the Ministry of Education to celebrate the achievements of youths in co-curricular activities...
competition, and is the only youth string ensemble to have done so. The Orchestra achieved two Gold with Honours awards at the recent 2007 SYF competition, for both its Secondary and College String groups. It has collaborated with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band in March 2007, and also became the featured orchestra in the 2007 HSBC Young Talents' Concert.
The Symphonic Band won a Gold with Honours award in the 2005 and 2007 SYF competition, the only youth wind ensemble to have done so in Singapore. It was ranked as one of the top three bands in both the 2005 and 2007 SYF competitions. The band took part in the 17th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney, Australia, and attained a Gold Award. In the 1st Singapore International Band Festival, the band achieved the only Gold Award in the Open Category, and achieved second place in the Finals, winning $4000. In April 2009, they received the third consecutive Gold With Honours in Singapore Youth Festival Competition, being the only school besides St Patricks' School to have achieved so.
The Choir, established in the 1980s, has taken part in many international and local choral competitions and workshops. The Choir has achieved a Gold award in the 2009 SYF Central Judging, as well as a Gold award in the recent 2011 SYF Central Judging. The Choir also obtained a Gold award at the Genting International Choral Competition in 2007. The Choir is conducted by Phua Ee Kia. Two branches of the Choir, the IB Choir and the Alumni Choir were set up in 2006 and 2008 respectively. From 2011, the IB Choir is re-branding itself as the school's A Cappella Society. The A Cappella Society is conducted by Elaine Wan Chan
Elaine Wan Chan
Elaine Wan Chan is an award-winning music composer and music director in Singapore.-Biography:Elaine started her first composition at the age of eight. She made her mark at 18, when she wrote her first full length musical score and toured South New Zealand with it, winning songwriting awards,...
.
The Guitar Orchestra, established in 2003, has won three consecutive Gold medals in the SYF competitions, with a Gold award for its Secondary Orchestra and a Gold with Honours award for its College Orchestra in the 2007 SYF competition. The Secondary Orchestra obtained a Gold with Honours award in the 2009 SYF competition. It also hosts a yearly concert event, F.R.E.T.S (Finally a Really Exciting Thing to See).
Dance Venia, established in 2005, won the Gold with Honours Award at the Singapore Youth Festival
Singapore Youth Festival
The Singapore Youth Festival is an annual event in Singapore organised by the Ministry of Education to celebrate the achievements of youths in co-curricular activities...
Central Judging 2009, on their first time participating in the event. With the instructions of main choreographer Jennifer Pau and other guest choreographers, the club continues to excel the art of dancing by putting up performances including Festival of Arts 2008, 2009, the upcoming 2010, alongside with competing in various competitions including DanceWorks 2010.
Discipline
In 2001 then-Principal Ong told The Straits Times that "we have corporal punishment for some serious offences. But the rules are stated clearly in the school handbook and we have to be consistent in applying them."A publicity document for entry into the school's International Baccalaureate (IB) programme from age 16/17 to age 18/19 says that a punishment for violations of the school's academic honesty policy is "Caning (only for male students) which will be conducted in the Principal’s office, classroom or during school assembly." "All students who have been caned will be required to attend counselling sessions arranged by the school."
See also
- Anglo-Chinese SchoolAnglo-Chinese SchoolThe Anglo-Chinese School ; is a family of Methodist schools in Singapore, and Indonesia.The name is usually abbreviated as "ACS", with the junior college as "ACJC", and its students and alumni referred to as "ACSians" , or "ACS boys" .ACS was the first school...
- Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)Anglo-Chinese School is a secondary school of the Anglo-Chinese School family located at the Barker Road campus, Singapore. It offers the GCE 'O' Level Course for its students from Sec 1 to Sec 4/5. Students may then move on to Anglo-Chinese Junior College with affiliation favours...
- Anglo-Chinese School (International)Anglo-Chinese School (International)Anglo-Chinese School , Singapore is a Methodist private school, owned by the Methodist Church in Singapore. Students take a 6-year course, with the IGCSE in the fourth year and the International Baccalaureate in the sixth year. Before 2007, students took the International A-Levels...
- Anglo-Chinese Junior CollegeAnglo-Chinese Junior CollegeAnglo-Chinese Junior College in Singapore opened in 1977 and is the junior college arm of the Anglo-Chinese School family of Methodist schools. ACJC offers the standard two-year pre-university programme, with students taking the GCE 'A' Levels in their second year...
- Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)Anglo-Chinese School is one of the two ACS primary schools in Singapore. Established in 1951 at the old Coleman Street campus, it moved to its previous premises at 25 Peck Hay Road in 1985. In December 2008, it moved to its current premises at 16 Winstedt Road where Monk's Hill Secondary School...
- Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore, is the original primary school of the [ACS] family, located at the Barker Road campus adjacent to the ACS block. It opened in 1887 with the secondary school at Coleman Street, moving to a newly upgraded Coleman Street campus in 1961, leaving the Barker Road...
- Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
External links
- ACS (Independent) Official web page
- Christie R. House, "Methodist Schools of Singapore: A Model", New World Outlook (United Methodist Church), March 2004.