HOME AGAIN for the Class of 56!

It was “home-coming” when the 1956 cohort gathered at ACS Oldham Hall, Barker Road on 5 March for yet another re-union dinner. Sixty strong and sturdy septuagenarians were contacted through the latest communication devices by gentle persuasion of Chan Wing Khei, and his team of John Chen, Chew Chek Chuan and Ee Keng Goon to be at the precincts of the Alma Mater by 6.30 p m. on that day. A few came from “distant shores to join the function.It was “home-coming” when the 1956 cohort gathered at ACS Oldham Hall, Barker Road on 5 March for yet another re-union dinner. Sixty strong and sturdy septuagenarians were contacted through the latest communication devices by gentle persuasion of Chan Wing Khei, and his team of John Chen, Chew Chek Chuan and Ee Keng Goon to be at the precincts of the Alma Mater by 6.30 p m. on that day. A few came from “distant shores to join the function.

A selective tour of the facilities was conducted by current School Prefects. Those present had the opportunity to see what modern education was and when compared to what they used to have, it was certainly a far cry. The Old Tuck Shop, the grass slopes on which they engaged in medieval warfare, the Upper Room where “espionage work” was done and the limited spaces where shuttle-cock kicking was the game of the day, have all disappeared. Information Technology and finely-designed buildings have replaced them.

Dinner-time was preceded by the ACS Anthem which was sung with strident voices without missing a word. After 54 years this meant a lot and spoke volumes of the “Spirit of ACS” and the unwavering sense of belonging! The old boys regaled themselves with the buffet spread, and in between bites, long conversations of pranks on teachers and classmates and narratives of past events continued incessantly.

For those who cared to listen while munching, George Teo entertained with “I Believe” convincingly, the organizing team was thanked, and as expected, a unanimous decision was made for a follow-up gathering in 2011.

When it was time to part, they dispersed reluctantly but with the fervent hope that another such event would be coming soon, as the Spirit of ACS lives forever!