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 The 1920s and 30s are well remembered in ACS history as the era when lasting ACS traditions were established.
Notably, the ACS Anthem was written by Mr H M Hoisington in 1926 and
Mr Yap Pheng Geck, having heard the
lyrics, was inspired to design the magnificent ACS Crest and Shield that same year. Since then, the Anthem and
the Crest have become treasured ACS icons that bind generations of ACSians together. During this period,
Mr T
W Hinch, who was the School Principal from 1929 to 1947, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation of the
inimitable ACS Spirit. Hailed as the School’s ‘tradition builder”, he revived the publication of the ACS Magazine,
introduced the ACS House System in 1929, and initiated the ACS Motto which was later incorporated into the Crest.
 The ACS Anthem
The most treasured ACS tradition is perhaps the iconic ACS
Anthem which was composed by Mr H M Hoisington in 1926
in anticipation of Bishop Oldham’s visit to the school the following
year. When it was sung to the tune of the Canadian “Maple
Leaves Forever” in his presence, we can just imagine the founder’s
pride and joy when he heard the rousing and inspiring anthem.
It soon became a tradition to sing the anthem at all school
ceremonies and today, it is the norm to begin or end each ACS
function, be it at Founder’s Day celebrations, class reunions or
casual cohort gatherings, with the strains of “In Days of Yore ....”
The ACS Crest & Shield
The ACS Crest and Shield was conceptualised and designed
by Mr Yap Pheng Geck when he was teaching in ACS. Inspired
by the virtues of chivalry, honour, loyalty, valour and manliness
upheld by the medieval knights of old, he created a magnificent
crest design that is truly unique and timeless.
Drawing from the many elements that influenced the founding of
the School, Mr Yap placed above the three letters of the school
name a golden heraldic wyvern (a legendary winged reptilian
creature often found in medieval heraldry) with a lion’s head,
eagle’s wings and a dragon’s body with claws. These features
represent the fact that the school was founded when Singapore
was a British (lion) colony by an American (eagle) Methodist
mission during the Qing Dynasty in China (dragon).
 The lower part of the Crest comprises two panels in blue and
gold; these which represent heaven and earth, and also symbolise
spiritual and material accomplishment.
The letters “ACS” in red symbolise life bridging heaven and earth,
as well as the blood of Christ uniting heaven and earth.
In addition to the school name, the letters ACS are also variously
said to be acronyms for Academic Achievements, Christian
Character and Sportsmanship or Service beyond self.
The School Crest (pictured
on the right) appeared for the first
time on the School Magazine cover when it was
revived in 1927, a year after it was designed,
and subsequently proudly used on flags, banners,
school blazers, athletic and team uniforms,
publications, letterheads and on Report Cards. A
metal badge with a locking pin was introduced in
the 50’s and generations of students have
proudly worn this as part of the ACS school
uniform.
 The School’s Motto
Taken from the opening lines of Robert Browning’s poem, Rabbi ben Ezra, the School’s motto “The Best Is Yet To Be”
is the rallying call to ACSians to always strive
for the best and a reminder not to rest on
laurels. The motto was incorporated into the ACS
Crest in 1959 and made its first appearance on
the ACS Magazine cover in 1960-61.
The Glory of the
ACS Crest
The ACS Crest with the school motto is the
glorious emblem that
gives students and all
those associated with the school inspiration and
a proud sense of belonging to an institution
that shaped, transformed and enriched their
lives.
 Immediately after it was first
introduced, the proprietor of Wing Loong Tailors
in High Street created a beautiful shield
(pictured on the left) bearing the enamelled ACS Crest as a challenge
trophy to be awarded to the champion house.
Since then, many students have battled in
sporting arenas to uphold the honour and glory
of the Crest and flag.
ACSians are proud of the
Alma Mater and show their loyalty by displaying
the ACS flag at every possible occasion. In the
1920’s when the Inter-School Sports Meets were
held at the Padang, the ACS contingent used to
march from Coleman Street and Armenian Street to
the Padang. As William Meyer, the athletics
champion then recalled, “We marched four
abreast, the ACS flags flying and banners waving
down across North Bridge road and on to the
Padang. There was a tremendous spirit of
oneness. We were going to win. And we usually
did!” *. [*
Source: "Hearts,
Hopes & Aims"]
What a glorious and inspiring sight it
must have been!
Another such inspirational story is that of Thum Ping Tjin, who on 6 August 2005 did Singapore and ACS proud when he became the first Singaporean to swim solo the 34-kilometer English Channel. When he finally reached French soil after 12 hours and 24 minutes, exhausted but triumphant, the first thing he did as he staggered ashore was to raise the ACS flag. Indeed a poignant tribute to his Alma Mater!
The Return of the Original Badge
As Ping Tjin had demonstrated, ACS traditions (especially the ACS
badge) are upheld by generations of ACSians in very high esteem.
They truly treasure their school badge and would painstakingly
polish and proudly wear it to class reunions or cohort get-togethers.
In celebrating our 127th Founder’s Day and in support of the
ACS Foundation, the umbrella foundation for the ACS family, a
passionately loyal Old Boy has come forward and generously
commissioned Cleave, the court jewelers and medal-makers of the
Royal House of Windsor, to produce a commemorative tribute to
the Original ACS badge with the full support of Mr Richard Seow,
Chairman of the ACS Board of Governors and ACS Foundation
Board of Directors.
This limited edition comes with a studded pin which can be worn
on a lapel. Each badge will be presented in pure silk and encased
in a royal-blue gift box with gold blocking of the ACS crest.
These badges will be on sale at the ACS 127th Founder’s Day
Dinner on 1 March. A limited number will be available at the ACS
Foundation Office at a minimum donation of $100 per Badge
after 1 March. Please contact engneo.seet@theacsfoundation.org or at 64721477. All proceeds will go towards the ACS
Foundation to fund programmes in the areas of Special Needs,
Student Enrichment, Life Skills, Education and Career Counselling
Resources & Student-Led Community Welfare Initiatives for our
six ACS schools in Singapore. |
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