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Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road)
Explore the history of Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road).
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School History
Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) – ACS (BR) - is one of the six schools in the ACS family of schools. Founded in 1886, ACS began with the vision and passion of Bishop William Fitzjames Oldham. At the time, little was offered by way of education in Singapore, and he wanted to provide an education for the many boys he saw wandering aimlessly on the streets. On 1 March 1886, Bishop Oldham started Anglo-Chinese School in a shophouse on Amoy Street with 13 boys.
ACS (BR) was established on 1 January 1994 as a full government-aided school catering to both primary and secondary students. The purpose of establishing ACS (BR) was to cater to students from the two ACS primary schools who could not gain admission to ACS (Independent), but wished to continue with an ACS secondary education. Today, the role of ACS (BR) in the ACS family of schools has expanded to provide an ACS education to students posted to different streams (Express, Normal Academic and Normal Technical).
As the school grew, plans to redevelop the campus were made. In 1997, the school split into ACS (Primary) and ACS (BR). Both schools were relocated to separate holding schools while the Barker Road campus was being upgraded. In January 2003, ACS (Primary) and ACS (BR) returned to the Barker Road campus. Today, ACS (BR) offers an education that holds true to Bishop Oldham’s vision of a philosophy of education that stresses academic Achievement, strength of Character and Service to God and man.
The ACS (BR) educational experience centres on the belief that God is our strength and provider, there is strength in diversity, we can bring out the best in everyone and we are called to serve God, nation and community. It is the mission of ACS (BR) to touch hearts by creating memories and giving meaning to all the things that we do; to empower minds by sharpening the intellect and broadening perspectives; and to enrich souls by helping the students grow in faith and service to others.
Principals:
- Mr Ng Eng Chin (1994–2007)
- Mr Peter Tan Chong Tze (2008–2017)
- Mr Loo Ming Yaw (2018–2023)
- Mr Khoo Tse Horng (2024 - present)
Key Milestones
key milestones
1994 | Establishment of ACS (Barker Road), with both primary and secondary students. |
1997 | School splits into ACS (Primary) and ACS (Barker Road), both operating as single-session schools. |
1999 | ACS (Barker Road) moves to a holding school site at 60 Dunearn Road, while ACS Primary School moves to another holding school on Ah Hood Road. |
2001 | Ceremony held for laying the cornerstone for the new ACS (Barker Road) school building. Old Boy and then Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, Mr Lim Kim San, officiates the ceremony. |
2003 | ACS (Barker Road), together with Oldham Hall and ACS (Primary), begins operations at the enhanced Barker Road campus at 60 Barker Road. |
2003 | ACS (Barker Road) is declared officially open by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. |
2007 | ACS (Barker Road) bids farewell to principal Mr Ng Eng Chin after 14 years of faithful service to the school. Mr Ng went on to become the principal of ACS Jakarta. |
2017 | ACS (Barker Road) bids farewell to Mr Peter Tan Chong Tze after 10 years of faithful service to the school. Mr Tan went on to become the principal of Queensway Secondary School. |
2018 | Beginning of construction of the Indoor Sports Hall for both ACS Primary School and ACS (Barker Road). It is expected to be completed by end 2019. |
2022 | On 1 March, we consecrated the newly completed Indoor Sports Hall at a combined Founder’s Day celebration with ACS (Primary). The delay had been due to Covid-19 which resulted in shortage of manpower in construction work. |
School Motto
The Best is Yet to Be
A motto shared amongst all the ACS schools, it unites all ACSians in the certainty that challenges of the future will be overcome, that tradition and the present effort will allow for the creation of a better future.
School Crest
The upper section of the crest comprises a mythical creature with a lion’s head, an eagle’s wings and a dragon’s body with claws. They represent the founding of ACS in a British colony (lion) by the American Methodist Mission (eagle) during the time of the Manchu dynasty in China (dragon). The lower section comprises the letters ‘ACS’ in red – signifying life as it bridges heaven and earth, which are represented by the two halves of blue and gold. The shield shape represents the knightly virtues of chivalry, honour, loyalty, valour and manliness.
The crest was designed by Mr Yap Pheng Geck when he was a teacher in ACS, inspired by the words of the school anthem.
The motto, ‘The Best is Yet to Be’, has been associated with ACS for generations since former principal T.W. Hinch first used it in the foreword of the 1935 issue of the school magazine. Since then, this opening line of Robert Browning’s, ‘Rabbi ben Ezra’, has been the rallying cry of ACSians, and was incorporated into the ACS crest in 1959.
School Song
In days of yore from western shores
Oldham dauntless hero came
and planted a Beacon of Truth and Light
in this island of the Main.
Here may it stand from year to year
emblem of grand endeavour
The regions round echo the sound
of A.C.S. forever.
Sing A.C.S. forevermore,
our A.C.S. forever.
God save our land and heaven bless
our A.C.S. forever.
Our students hail from China's plains
and the Land of Rising Sun.
We have many sons from India's strand
and the islands of the Main.
Our hearts, our hopes, our aims, are one.
No discord e'er will sever.
We'll stand together for the cause
of A.C.S. forever.
Sing A.C.S. forevermore,
our A.C.S. forever.
God save our land and heaven bless
our A.C.S. forever