Staff Dedication Service

The ACS Staff Dedication Service 2007 held on 06 January at ACS (Independent)’s state-of-the-art Centre for Performing Arts began with Dr Ong Teck Chin, Principal of ACS (Independent), extending
a warm welcome to the congregation, which included members of the ACS Board of Governors, well-wishers and staff of the 7 Anglo-Chinese schools, some from as far as Jakarta.

In his address, Mr Tan Wah Thong, Chairman of the ACS Board of Governors thanked all staff for their devotion and commitment to the service, and shared with them the expansion plans of the ACS infrastructure. The Principals from the ACS family also took to the stand during the course of the service to bring greetings and updates from their respective schools.

Rev. Daniel Cornilius Tan, Chaplain of ACS (Independent) prayed for the ACS family of schools and after a beautiful rendition of the anthem by the ACS (Independent) Choir, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon delivered his message entitled “Teaching to Make a Difference”, urging the staff to teach not just with words but to demonstrate them with actions, as values are caught and not taught. He reminded them to follow in the tradition of Oldham’s holistic education to nurture the whole person in their role as teachers and highlighted the impact teachers have on the lives of students, and the esteem that students hold for their teachers.

Beyond professionalism, teachers were urged to infuse passion into their teaching and that the hallmark of a superior teacher is that he is inspiring. Likening teaching without passion to ‘hammering on cold iron’, Bishop Solomon cited an educationist’s formula for good teaching: Love plus skill equals a masterpiece. The message concluded with a short movie on the teacher who made a difference in the student’s life. The final challenge was for all teachers to inspire their charges and not just perform a perfunctory duty of teaching.

The Bishop then led the staff in an affirmation of the teachers’ oath and in a prayer for the teachers. After the Benediction and the ACS Anthem, a sumptuous spread awaited all guests at the foyer of the IB Block.