We are pleased to report that the inaugural Teachers’ Work Attachment (TWA) programme at ACS (Barker Road) was successfully launched this June. Initiated as part of ACS (Barker Road)’s Learning Festival, the TWA programme seeks to place teachers in diverse occupations to observe and gain practical exposure to help better mentor the next generation of ACSians.

The TWA programme placed a total of 56 teachers (representing approximately 62% of the total faculty) for two-day stints across an amazing spectrum of industries that ranged from Finance to Retail, Medicine to Food and Beverage, Law to Hospitality. We felt privileged to gain access into esteemed organisations that included Goldman Sachs (Singapore), OCBC Bank, the National Heritage Board, the Marriott Hotel and the National University Hospital just to name a few. In addition, we were equally impressed with the entrepreneurship and leadership of the Old Boys and Girls who welcomed us into their small and medium businesses. The attachments gave me and my colleagues a useful insight into the working world for which we are preparing our students.

The wealth of ideas and perspectives shared in various breakout groups during the post-attachment sharing session provided tremendous impetus to teachers to continually improve themselves that they might better provide more thorough educational and career guidance. The session also challenged the teachers to catalyse their ideas on how to improve the school’s processes and policies. Most of all, the TWA gave us a unique insight into the world beyond the confines of the school walls and helped us to gain a deeper appreciation for what we need to adapt and restructure in our teaching methods. This programme is one of many ways that ACS (Barker Road) hopes to equip both staff and students with the necessary competencies that are critical for the 21st Century. We believe that this experience was invaluable in enabling the teachers to remain relevant.

The strong support and partnership of the ACS OBA was the cornerstone of the proga me’s success and we are especially grateful to its Management Teachers in discussion at the National Heritage Board Committee for its involvement. Many of the TWA attachments were made by the ACS OBA office reaching out to Old Boys and Girls as well as members of the extended ACS family to connect to the sponsoring organisations. It was indeed heartwarming to see how so many alumni rising to the occasion to help us with the programme. My colleagues and I believe that this speaks to the strength, depth and reach of the ACS OBA network and we wish to thank all the participating organisations and individuals for their support.