Seated (left to right): Ms Noelle Selvadurai (HOD CCE), Ms Christine Bok
(Vice-Principal), Mrs Kathryn Koh (Principal), Mrs Siti Mohammad
Standing (left to right): Mr Sathis Kumar (SH Innovation & Enterprise), Mr Jeremiah Nga
(SH Discipline), Mrs Kim Cheang (HOD Pupil Management), Ms Lee May Po (HOD PE & CCA),
Mrs Annabella Kwan (HOD SSD),  Mrs Ashley Chong (SH Student Leadership & CIP)
Not in picture: Mrs Joyce Soh (SH Pupil Development)

Imagine a garden, filled with a wide array of plants and trees, at different stages of maturity. This beautiful garden brings great joy to those who tend to the plants and trees daily, especially as flowers blossom, and soon brings forth fruit. This is similar to our experience of Character and Citizenship Education at ACS (Junior), with our teachers as the gardeners, and the CCE Core Team as the groundskeepers.

The CCE Core Team comprises 11 key personnel, including the Principal & Vice-Principal. Each of us is equally passionate about CCE, and this passion has been the driving force of the team. Each member of the Core Team oversees a different aspect of CCE, from processes and programmes that impact pupils, such as Co-Curricular Activities, 21st Century Skills Development, Citizenship Education, Pupil Leadership Development and Pupil Management to name a few, to building capacity amongst all staff to deliver the programmes. Our greatest challenge has been our objective of meeting the very diverse needs of over 1600 boys, as we believe firmly that each child is unique and special. We however have enjoyed the process, as each team member with his or her own unique personality, perspective and way of working brought something different to the table, and our differences actually became our strength, as it brought out the best in each of us, and ensured that what we did for the School was truly for the benefit of all the Pupils.

We are glad that the passion we have for CCE is not just shared by us, but also by the Staff of ACS (Junior) and Parents of our Pupils as CCE has always been at the heart of an ACS (Junior) Education, our vision being for Every Ascian, a young gentleman of character, ready for the future. This partnership is vital to the overall CCE journey, in ensuring that our Pupils’ learning and experience is holistic and enriching. This year, the School was recognized for its efforts through the Outstanding Development Award 2012 for Character Education. This award, however, isn’t the final goal but an affirmation for the School and the Character & Citizenship Education Core Team, on this journey to build a foundation of Godly character in each of the pupils in his six years of education with us.

Most importantly, we remember that ‘unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain’ (Psalm 127:1). We are acutely aware that it is the Lord who watches over each of our charges. We strongly believe that it is the Lord who will cause each pupil to be like that tree in Psalm 1:3, which planted by streams of water, yields its fruit in its season.

Certainly, Character & Citizenship Education @ ACS Junior has been a fulfilling journey for all Staff, and in particular, the CCE Core Team. We thank the Lord for the call to go beyond imparting knowledge and skills to shaping character and values in our Pupils. As each Pupil bears the fruit of that which has been laid within him as responsible citizens, truly, The Best is Yet to Be!

Ms Noelle Selvadurai
Head of Department, Character & Citizenship Education
ACS (Junior)