Dr Robert Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore

Mr Tan Wah Thong, Chairman of the ACS Board of Governors

Past and Present Principals of ACS

Parents, Teachers and Students

1       The laying of this time capsule on the new Barker Road Campus is a rare and defining moment in the history of ACS.  The last time a time capsule was laid was on 12^th December 1949, to mark the opening of the new school building at Barker Road.  This was when ACS first moved to what was to be a permanent home at the Barker Road Campus, having previously functioned in other sites starting from Amoy Street, to Coleman Street, to the old Teachers’ Training College at Cairnhill.

2       The time capsule laid in 1949 was to remain untouched for half a century.  It was not until the year 2000 that it was uncovered, when the Barker Road Campus went through major redevelopment and all the school buildings had to be demolished.  This old time capsule, which was a metal container about the size of a shoe box, had been sealed into a wall of the Clock Tower Block.  However, its exact location was not clearly marked.  So with each succeeding batch of students and staff, it became a forgotten piece of history, an occasional figment of the lively ACS imagination.  Only early records remained to show that a capsule had been buried.

3       Fortunately, a young ACS boy, Andrew Yuen, witnessed that historic moment 50 years ago and was able, in year 2000, to help pinpoint the exact spot within the walls where the capsule had been buried.  Today, with the help and guidance of the National Archives of Singapore, the contents of the original capsule are kept in the Archives Room at ACS (Independent).

4       Today, as we lay a new capsule, Mr Yuen is here with us to witness the moment.  I am not sure I speak for all who are gathered here today, but I have rather low expectations of being around when the capsule is opened 50 years from now.  Moreover, fully cognizant of the fact that the human memory remains as frail as ever, this time round, we take no chances.  We mark the exact spot where the time capsule will be placed.

5       But for the boys who witness the event today, the moment will be as significant as it was for our forefathers who laid the first time capsule.  You mark for many future generations of ACSians an unwavering belief in what the ACS schools stand for and a desire to carry on the ACS tradition.  It is a tradition that has not done badly, judging from the growth of ACS from just 13 students in a shop-house at Amoy Street to an institution with 5 schools and a student population of over 8000 students today.  Many of the present students have had grandfathers or fathers or relatives who were part of the ACS tradition.

6       The tradition still flows, embodied in the motto of the School, “The Best Is Yet To Be”.  Each generation of boys adds to this tradition with their achievements and experiences.

7       What makes ACSians proud of their tradition and loyal to the school?  I suspect it has something to do with the development of character being the principal feature of the ACS tradition of education, more important even than the development of the mind.  It was a nurturing environment, in the Methodist school tradition, providing students with the space and freedom to find their own talents, and to develop great friendships and camaraderie.  And it encouraged every boy, whatever his background, to do something worthwhile with his life, something great if possible, something that goes beyond himself.

8       It is indeed a nurturing approach that many of our schools now take, each with its own distinct tradition and values.  We need this diversity of school traditions to be kept alive, and taken forward with each new generation.  Loyalty to the school is a powerful tug on our emotions.  And it is a multitude of these loyalties in each generation that quietly add to a sense of conviction in Singapore and a desire to keep the Singapore flame burning bright.

9       On Monday we will celebrate our 39^th year of independence.  The laying of the time capsule captures the spirit of this larger act, in which we recognize the feats of human endeavour that brought us to where we are today, express our hopes for the future, and reaffirm our commitment to each other and to future generations.

10     I join in wishing ACS all the best, for the next 50 years and many more after.

__________________