Dear
ACSians
In the ACS
OBA Action Plan for 2004-2006, I promised to “remember the
contributions of retired teaching staff through genuine fellowship
and financial aid.”
On
Teachers’ Day, besides honouring those presently serving in our
schools, we took the opportunity to remember our retired teachers
and principals for their contributions at a special poolside BBQ
held in their honour. The event was a great success and my committee
and I were absolutely delighted by the overwhelming enthusiasm and
response shown by the teachers and old boys. I have every intention
of making this an annual ACSOBA event, aimed at bringing everybody
together to reminisce days gone by and catch up on the latest
happenings in each other’s lives.
This being
our first such gathering, I know that there were oversights and
shortcomings. Some of our older teachers had difficulty sinking
their teeth into the barbequed meats! The notice on the BBQ went out
too late for many old boys, who otherwise would have attended. We
also inadvertently failed to invite some teachers who had resigned
from our School. I intend to work with the schools on updating their
records. If there is a teacher whom you would like to see at next
year’s Teachers’ Day gathering, please let us know and we’ll make
sure that he/she is invited.
Besides the
two social events the ACS OBA organises each year, namely the
Founder’s Day dinner and the ACS OBA Golf Classic, we have decided
to take on another new initiative - our first Thanksgiving Charity
Golf. To be held on 25 Nov 2004 at Laguna Golf and Country Club,
this event is being organised with two objectives in mind. The first
is to bring old boys together for an afternoon of fun and
fellowship, and the other is to raise money for our Teacher’s
Welfare Fund, which offers financial assistance for retired teachers
in need of help. Some of these teachers have been plagued with ill
health and hefty medical bills. We need to raise about $20,000 to
meet our committments for the year. We are also hoping to set aside
a little surplus in the event of unforeseen needs. All the money
raised will be kept in a separate sub-account to ensure that we do
not use money raised to subsidise our other operational costs.
I wish I
had learnt to play golf earlier. Sad to say, I am still trying to
pass my PC. It is often said that “Eighteen holes of match play will
teach you more about a person than 18 years of dealing with him
across a desk.” Perhaps it is for this reason that so many
successful ACSians play golf.
In support
of this worthy cause, my wife (an old girl) and her friends will
take a flight. I appeal to all old boys and girls to rally together
to support the ACSOBA Thanksgiving Charity Golf.
Finally, I
would like to say a big “THANK YOU” to all of you who have donated
to our Teachers Welfare Fund, especially to the anaesthetist who
gave $5000 (our largest individual donation). I hope that more
ACSians will contribute to this worthy project because we have not
raised enough to cover this year’s projected expenditure for the
retired teachers who are in need of financial assistance. Besides
money, there are other ways that old boys can contribute to the alma
mater. Do log on to www.acsoba.net and find out how you can play
your part.
In all that
we do, to God be the Glory!
The Best is
Yet To Be!
Ang Peng
Tiam
President
ACSOBA