2010
has so far been an active and eventful year for the ACS OBA.
With the New Year just around the corner, it is perhaps timely
to take stock of the year’s activities and provide a glimpse of
what is being planned for 2011.
In summary, the OBA has continued to drive alumni participation
in traditional activities, including the Past vs Present Games,
Founder’s Day and Teachers’ Day celebrations. Besides being the
driving force behind the Work Attachment Programme for teachers
and students to gain relevant work experience, it also played a
part in staff welfare through the Teachers’ and Staff Welfare
Programme.
The OBA is currently in the process of producing a Corporate
Video to increase awareness. Members can also look forward to an
increasing number of commemorative events for 2011 that allow us
to celebrate 125 years of our history. As these plans require
commitment in terms of time, effort and resources, it is hoped
that more Old Boys will come forward with contribution of ideas
and to play a part in making the OBA a relevant organisation for
its members.
Past Vs Present Games
Our
activities for 2010 began with our annual Past vs. Present Games
held on 28 February at the ACS (Independent) campus. We were
surprised but relieved that the Old Boys retained the Ang Peng
Tiam Challenge Trophy, emerging victorious in Badminton,
Football, Squash, Tennis and Water Polo. However, we conceded
the Rugby title to the Present boys which were represented by
the ‘A’ Division teams from ACJC and ACS (Independent).
124th Founder’s Day Dinner
The
ACS Founder’s Day Dinner held at Suntec Convention Centre on 01
March was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Rear Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck
Yew (ACS Class of ’76), Acting Minister for Information,
Communications and the Arts. OBA Gold and Silver medals were
awarded to the top students of each of the ACS schools and
served as a reminder of the strong academic tradition of ACS.
ACJC’s ACSian Theatre provided the entertainment for the evening
and captivated the guests with two catchy dance tunes entitled
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ and ‘Desi Girl’.
Teachers’
Day Celebrations 2010
The Teachers' Day
Dinner has become an annual affair since it was initiated by the
ACS OBA in 2004 to honour our retired teachers and principals
who helped shape the lives of generations of ACSians. This
year’s party held at ACS (Barker Road) on 01 September was once
again successful with almost 70 guests in attendance.
OBA
Annual General Meeting 2010
This year’s OBA
AGM on 24 March saw a robust sharing of views regarding proposed
amendments to our constitution. OBA President, Benson Puah
remarked that he was heartened by the level of interest and
engagement and the agreed changes that would serve the OBA and
its members better.
Work Attachment & Mentorship
In a new initiative pioneered in 2010, the ACS OBA developed
a resource pool comprising ACSians who are willing to provide
work attachment, mentorship opportunities and career talks for
students and staff. In March, the ACS OBA worked closely with
the school management of ACS (Barker Road) and Family@Barker for
their inaugural Job Shadowing programme for its students.
In
June, the OBA successfully helped launch the inaugural Teachers’
Work Attachment (TWA) programme which was part of ACS (Barker
Road)’s Learning Festival. The TWA programme seeks to place
teachers in various occupations to gain valuable on-the-job
experiences that would help them impart practical knowledge and
career guidance to their students.
Many of the TWA attachments were facilitated by the ACS OBA and
the programme placed a total of 56 teachers (representing
approximately 62% of the total faculty) for two-day stints
across a spectrum of industries that ranged from Finance to
Retail, Medicine to Food and Beverage, Law to Hospitality.
Participating organisations included Goldman Sachs (Singapore),
OCBC Bank, the National Heritage Board, the Marriott Hotel and
the National University Hospital.
Teachers’ & Staff Welfare Fund
Since the Teachers’ & Staff Welfare fund was
started in 2000 (and formally established in 2004), the OBA has
been providing financial assistance to some of our retired
teachers and staff by way of modest monthly stipends.
For
the Future
In the more immediate future, the
ACS OBA is organising another inter-cohort networking event.
This year’s Gathering of ACSians 2010 will be held on 21 October
at Gustimmo di Roma, a fashionable restaurant owned by Old Boy,
William Whey.
Another project in progress is our ACS OBA corporate video which
we hope will stir the ACS spirit in ACSians and inspire those
who have not already joined to formalise their commitment to ACS
by joining the ACS OBA.
As we look towards 2011, the ACS OBA anticipates an especially
active year with the upcoming 125th anniversary celebrations.
Special events include an inter-house sports carnival and the
125th ACS combined thanksgiving service just to name a few.
Please visit www.acsoba.net for updates on our events and join
us if you are able.
Like always, ‘The Best Is Yet To Be!’
The ACS OBA Management Committee