On
03 July 2004, some 300 old boys of ACS (Barker Road) gathered at the
Lee Kong Chian Auditorium for a reunion, and to honour the mentors and
teachers who made a difference in their lives.
The evening
began with a moment of prayer as we thanked God for His precious
blessings on this very special school. Throughout the night, speeches
and performances kept everyone entertained. The slide show of the old
campus brought back fond memories, and the sight of many familiar
faces that we had not seen in years overjoyed us.
Gracing the
occasion were our teachers and mentors, Mr Ng Eng Chin (Principal),
Mrs Siow Yim Kheng and Miss Nachimutttu Pillay. They were each
presented with a special token for all the years they have guided and
made an impact on the lives of many, ever since ACS (Barker Road) was
established in 1996.
Another
highlight of the night was the laying of seven time capsules – one for
each graduating cohort of students. Items in the capsule included old
exercise books, souvenirs from each Graduation Night and bible verses
for each year. The climax of the night was the lighting and passing on
of candles.
With
the lighting beginning with the teachers and ending with the youngest
batch of graduates, the hall with hundreds of flickering candles was
soon a sight to behold. As always, we ended the night with the school
anthem, which some of us have not sung for a while. And to round up
the nostalgic evening, a commemorative booklet and other souvenirs
were distributed to all.
Many left
that night still reminiscing over the bonds and old friendships that
had been rekindled. Indeed, for many ACSians including myself, we have
been touched and changed, for ACS (Barker Road) is about spirit. One
In Spirit!
Matthew Tan
ACS (Barker
Road) 1996 – 1999