In 1994, ACS (Barker Rd) was established to accommodate students from the two ACS Primary feeder schools so that more may continue with their ACS education. Occupying the historic Barker Road campus and led by Principal Mr Ng Eng Chin and Vice-Principal Mr Peter Chia, this pioneer batch of approximately 280 students and teachers began a new chapter in ACS history. Mr Ng’s leadership and the commitment of the teaching staff were the heart of the school during those early days when much was uncertain. By God’s grace, He built our house.

To celebrate and honour the commitment of the ACS (Barker Road) pioneers, a group of Old Boys from the first graduating Class of 1997 got together to organise its 20th Anniversary Reunion Gathering at the Lee Kong Chian Auditorium on 22 July 2017. The reunion was well attended by almost 100 people, many of whom have not returned to the campus since its redevelopment in the early 2000s.

There were smiles all around as old friends reunited and lost relationships rekindled. Most importantly, we had the chance to honour the teachers who had invested so much of their time and effort on us. By our own admission, much faith was needed in our batch; but the faith of our educators put more than just knowledge into our lives, but spirit too. A tear or two was shed.

The evening’s events included a weigh-in (to see who had let themselves go since Secondary school days – the winner brought home the weighing scale :D) before being opened in prayer by the Head Prefects from our 1997 graduating class. The catering for the evening was all contributed by boys from our pioneer batch, the entrepreneurial spirit of our cohort is strong with the number of businesses that our cohort carry, particularly in the F&B sector.

Incumbent Principal Mr Peter Tan gave a schools update and the final speech of the evening was from Mr Ng who reminisced about our first 4 years together from 94-97, and the gratefulness of being part of the ACS story with us. The evening closed with the school song and drinks into the night.

The organising committee would like to thank Mr Ng, Mr Peter Tan and Mrs Aw Meng Yin for welcoming us home to the Barker Road campus, Jeremy Nguee, Alan Ang, Bryan Chua, Edmund Kong and Chung Deming for their contributions of yummy food and beverages, and friends who helped in one way or other with the organisation of the event, in particular Kenny Lim, Brian Tan, Foo Yang De, Benjamin Ho, Daryl Chin, Neo Say Yong, Philo Tay and Julian Meyer. Our batch is living proof that unless He builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.

Our thanks to all who believed in us.

To God Be The Glory, The Best Is Yet To Be.

Alexander Phua