Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): Difference between revisions

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| name = Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
| name = Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
| chinese_name = 英华学校 (自主)
| chinese_name = 英华学校 (自主)
| malay_name =
| malay_name = Puki Makau
| image = [[File:Anglo-Chinese School Crest.png|120px]]
| image = [[File:Anglo-Chinese School Crest.png|120px]]
| address = 121 Dover Road
| address = 69 Lickhertoe Avenue
| region = [[Central Region, Singapore|Central Region]]
| region = [[Central Region, Singapore|Central Region]]
| country = [[Singapore]]
| country = [[Singapore]]
| postcode = 139650
| postcode = 139650
| motto = The Best Is Yet to Be
| motto = The Best Is Yet to Be, Wait Long Long.
| session = Full Day
| session = Full Day
| established = 1 March 1886
| established = 1 March 2010
| type = Independent, [[International Baccalaureate|IB World School]]
| type = Independent, [[International Baccalaureate|IB World School]]
| session = Single-session
| session = Single-session
| religion = [[Christianity|Christian]]
| religion = [[Muslim]]
| denomination = [[Methodism|Methodist]]
| superintendent = Stella Wee Bee Lian
| superintendent = Stella Wee Bee Lian
| founder = William Fitzjames Oldham
| founder = William Fitzjames Oldham
Line 66: Line 65:


==Principals==
==Principals==
The Principal of the school is also the school's Chief Executive Officer.<ref>Lau, Earnest. The ACS Story. Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors, 2003, 2007</ref> 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 Chin]], who held the post from 1994 to October 2010.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1085093/1/.html Principal of ACS Independent steps down - Channel NewsAsia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> From 5 October 2010, Mrs Fanny Tan was appointed acting principal in his stead.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1085286/1/.html Fanny Tan named acting principal of ACS Independent - Channel NewsAsia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The Principal of the school is also the school's Chief Executive Officer.<ref>Lau, Earnest. The ACS Story. Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors, 2003, 2007</ref> 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 Chin]], who held the post from 1994 to October 2010.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1085093/1/.html Principal of ACS Independent steps down - Channel NewsAsia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> From 5 October 2010, Mrs Fanny Tan was appointed acting principal in his stead.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1085286/1/.html Fanny Tan named acting principal of ACS Independent - Channel NewsAsia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The ACS board concluded that the principal Ong Teck Chin had acted in a gay and inappropriate way towards a younger male teacher and even called him a "Love Bunny".


==Physical Education Groupings (Houses)==
==Physical Education Groupings (Houses)==

Revision as of 02:41, 24 November 2010

Template:Infobox Singapore school

The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is a Methodist secondary school in Singapore. It makes use of the innocent students anatomy. 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.[1] It was awarded the pinnacle award of MOE's Masterplan of Awards, the School Quality Award (SQA), the School Excellence Award (SEA) together with the School Distinguished Award (SDA).[citation needed] In October 2009, it was announced that ACS (Independent) had been awarded the Singapore Quality Award (SQA).[2]

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 13 times, starting with the first award in 1996 and winning thereafter every year till 2009, with the exception of 1999.

History

Aerial view of the school. From L to R: sports complex, boarding school, original main building, IB block

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.[3] 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 Programme, 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.

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), IB block

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 100 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.[4] It was also reported that ACS(I)'s performance put it among the top three IB schools in the world.[4] In 2009, 27 students worldwide achieved the perfect score, and 13 of them came from ACS(I).[5] The IB programme produced its first President's Scholar in 2010.[6]

Principals

The Principal of the school is also the school's Chief Executive Officer.[7] 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 Chin, who held the post from 1994 to October 2010.[8] From 5 October 2010, Mrs Fanny Tan was appointed acting principal in his stead.[9] The ACS board concluded that the principal Ong Teck Chin had acted in a gay and inappropriate way towards a younger male teacher and even called him a "Love Bunny".

Physical Education Groupings (Houses)

The clock tower

Boarding school

ACS (Independent) Boarding School

The ACS (Independent) Boarding School 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, Thailand, Kingdom of Cambodia 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 nine halls in the Boarding School, eight of which 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 M Hoisington, Thomas W Hinch, and William F Oldham. The ninth hall has not been officially opened yet.

The Shaw Library and Resource Centre

The library is named after its financial benefactor, Runme Shaw. 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[citation needed]. Library facilities include the heritage walk, a permanent exhibition on the history of ACS and small 'Work R

There are nine halls in the Boarding School, named after famous figures that contributed to the school.

Achievements

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.[2] The exception was 1999, in which The Chinese High School 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)

Odyssey of the Mind

ACS (Independent) has been affiliated with the international Odyssey of the Mind 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 principal, is also the tournament director for OM in Singapore.[3]

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.

Clubs and societies

The school offers more than 10 clubs and societies, in diverse fields. The list of clubs and societies are as follows:[17]

  • Photography Club
  • Media Production Team
  • Media resource team
  • Chinese Chess Club
  • International Chess Club
  • Interact Club
  • Library Services Team
  • 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. 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.[18]

  • Art Club
  • Astronomy Club
  • Tourism Club
  • Mathematics Challenge
  • 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 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 competition. The band took part in the 17th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney, Australia,[when?] 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 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's yearly concert event, F.R.E.T.S (Finally a Really Exciting Thing to See)frequently garners sell-out concert halls.

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.

Discipline

In 2001 School 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."[19]

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."[20]

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).

Notes

1. ^ http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2004/pr2004sea_sda.htm", School Excellence Award (SEA), Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2006

References

  1. ^ [1], annual press releases show ranking position from 1991-2002 as 20, 14, 8, 11, 11, 14, 14, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9 respectively.
  2. ^ a b Letter to Parents, 5 January 2010.
  3. ^ ACS History, www.acs.sch.edu.sg, accessed 27 August 2007.
  4. ^ a b Ng, Jane (8 January 2008). "ACS(I) among world's best in IB exams". The Straits Times. Singapore.
  5. ^ Sok Hwee (7 January 2010). "13 ACS Independent students achieve perfect score in IB exams". Channel News Asia. Singapore.
  6. ^ Ismail, Saifulbahri; Sau, Milton (13 August 2010). "Four new President's Scholars ace studies, engage in community service". Channel News Asia. Singapore.
  7. ^ Lau, Earnest. The ACS Story. Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors, 2003, 2007
  8. ^ Principal of ACS Independent steps down - Channel NewsAsia
  9. ^ Fanny Tan named acting principal of ACS Independent - Channel NewsAsia
  10. ^ a b c d e f School Information Service, accessed 27 August 2007.
  11. ^ ACS (Independent) - Cricket, accessed 27 August 2007. Template:Wayback
  12. ^ ACS (Independent) - Rugby, accessed 27 August 2007. Template:Wayback
  13. ^ Record of Past Champions, redsports.sg, accessed 27 August 2007.
  14. ^ ACS (Independent) - Softball, accessed 27 August 2007. Template:Wayback
  15. ^ ACS (Independent) - Squash, accessed 27 August 2007. Template:Wayback
  16. ^ ACS (Independent) - Swimming, accessed 27 August 2007. Template:Wayback
  17. ^ acsindep.edu.sg
  18. ^ Singapore's top debaters
  19. ^ Davie, Sandra. "Want to complain about your child's teacher? Check facts first", The Straits Times, Singapore, 16 July 2001.
  20. ^ [2] Briefing by Principal to Parents/Guardians, 27 May 2006.
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