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 2020 has been an extraordinary year of challenges with
the Covid-19 pandemic bringing the world to a standstill.
Unprecedented hardships prevailed as lockdowns and safe
distancing measures took a toll on businesses and disrupted
the lives of millions of people around the world. Singapore was
not spared but considering that we have progressed to phase
3 of the pandemic, I reckon we have weathered the storm
reasonably well. And now with vaccines universally available,
I am optimistic that the situation will soon be under control if we
continue to be on our guard to prevent the virus from spreading
further. Life is not likely to be the same as pre Covid-19 days as
new norms may emerge but what I am certain is that we, the
ACS family, will emerge stronger and better than ever before
as The Best Is Yet To Be!
It is amazing how the ACS community has rallied together to
cope with the pandemic. I feel so proud each time I read in
the media and the ACS Echo about the noble deeds, selfless
sacrifices and pioneering initiatives of my fellow ACSians in
making a difference for those whose lives have been severely
disrupted by the pandemic.
With the cancellation of the ACSOBA’s planned events and
activities like the annual Founder’s Day Dinner, Past vs Present
Games and the ACS Retired Teachers’ Dinner, one would
expect there is nothing much to review for 2020. On the contrary,
full marks to our proactive Management Committee (MC) who
were on their toes and quick to devise alternative activities to
engage our members and the community at large.
 Here is a summary of the initiatives taken by our MC:
ACS 134th Founder’s Day Dinner 2020
The cancellation of the 134th Founder’s Day Dinner for
the well-being of alumni, staff, students and stakeholders
did not deter ACSians from gathering in smaller groups to
remember the founding of our beloved ACS. The ACSOBA
MC hosted principals, board members and governors of
the BOG, BOMs and the ACS Foundation to a thanksgiving
buffet dinner on March 1, 2020 to acknowledge God’s
enduring faithfulness.
 Virtual AGM
The ACSOBA AGM scheduled for 27 March was also cancelled
due to safe distancing requirements. Given the ongoing
uncertainties about the situation, the MC made the decision
to convene the ACSOBA’s first ever online AGM on May 29,
2020. After careful planning, familiarisation with the technology
and even dry runs to ensure the meeting ran smoothly without
hitches, the e-AGM was successfully executed. The unexpected
bonus of the online platform was the unique opportunity for
members residing overseas to participate. Dr Suresh John (ACS
Class of 1978) from Melbourne said, “It was great because for
once, those of us overseas could join in the meeting...I think
this is the closest I have to serving in the OBA proper.”
The ONE ACS Business Directory
 In support of ACSian-owned businesses and to promote
networking and access to ACS purveyors of goods and
services, the ACSOBA launched the inaugural ONE ACS
Business Directory in early May 2020. In merely 8 days, over
200 responses poured in. The directory has since expanded
to about 500 businesses in over 60 industries and is posted
on the ACSOBA website. The list will be updated regularly.
Initiatives for Retired Teachers
An important part of the MC’s work has always been acts of
gratitude to the educators who shaped ACS and ACSians.
During the Circuit Breaker in April, the MC launched an
initiative to reach out to the retired teachers through phone
calls, emails and text messages to convey the ACSOBA’s
support and concern, and to offer assistance if required. The
MC was able to reach out to around 250 teachers, who were
delighted to hear from the ACSOBA. Many sent heart-warming
messages reflecting with joy on their years of teaching at ACS,
and their connectedness to the ACS family.
In September, the community rallied together to demonstrate
respect for the retired staff with a timely gift of reusable ACS
masks that were produced by ACS (Junior) as part of the
school’s fundraising efforts for the PERI upgrading project
(2019-2021). These were packed with the latest issue of the
ACS Echo magazine. Alumni volunteers joined the effort to help
deliver the gift pack as a personal gesture of care.
Foreign Worker Care Package Delivery
Beyond the immediate ACSian family, the ACSOBA also
reached out to the foreign workers who had been significantly
affected by the pandemic. In collaboration with ACS (Barker
Road), care packages were delivered to around 800 workers
residing temporarily at 60 Dunearn Road. These included
treats from their home countries to lift their spirits amid trying
circumstances.
 ONE ACS Career Forum Webinar
The annual ONE ACS Career Forum was held for the first
time as a webinar, a format that enabled the participation of
panellists beyond Singapore, and proved to be popular with
students and parents, as over 1500 participants registered for
the webinar. In his opening address, ACSOBA President, Mr
Lock Wai Han, highlighted the importance of adaptation to the
‘new normal’. With that very much in mind, the first panel was
entitled “Adjusting your career to a Covid-19 World; Is The Best
Still Yet To Be?”. Jonathan Yuen engaged our distinguished
alumni, Sandra Chua, Dr Wong Tien Hua, Kelly Koh and Jeremy
Nguee in a lively discussion on career experiences and the
impact that Covid-19 has had on the workforce and how their
 industries have had to innovate in response. The second panel
on university admissions was moderated by Geetha Creffield
and featured alumni from all 7 ACS schools: Dr Abigail Nyam,
Kathleen Teo, Tavis Tan, Patrick Tjandra and Kevin Ong,
another first for the Career Forum.
ACSOBA e-store
Launched in December 2020, the ACSOBA e-store brings
together merchandise from the ACSOBA and the schools on
a convenient platform for alumni to purchase ACS-themed
items and support their alma mater. The store received
an overwhelming response from the moment it went live.
Commemorative ACS135 merchandise is also available for
purchase from the store.
ONE ACS Speaker Series
 Another exciting initiative launched this year was the ONE ACS
Speaker Series. The first session featured Serene Chen (ACJC
‘92), Jacqueline Chow (ACJC ‘97) and Colin Goh (ACS ‘86;
ACJC ‘88) discussing virtual presentation skills. The ACSOBA
plans to make the series a regular item on the calendar for the
benefit of members and alumni.
Despite being a difficult year, 2020 has nonetheless been fruitful
for the ACSOBA. For one, the Covid-19 constraints provided
us the impetus to develop a digital version of the ACS Echo
which is targeted to arrive on your notebooks and handphones
by the middle of this year. In fact, I expect 2021 to be another
exciting year of events as we celebrate the 135th anniversary
of the founding of ACS. We have several new initiatives lined
up for you, among them are the ACSOBA Alumni Mentorship
Programme, the Exclusive 135 Marketplace promotions from
ACSian business owners,
ACS135 Gustatory Journey,
the ACSpirit Collection
and further editions of
the ONE ACS Speaker
Series. Check these out
at our commemorative
ACS135 website (https://
www.acs135.com/) and stay
tuned for more updates.
The Best Is Yet To Be!
Mr Lock Wai Han
ACSOBA President
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