Anglo-Chinese Junior College

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Anglo-Chinese Junior College
Anglo-Chinese School Crest.png
Address
25 Dover Close East, Singapore 139745

Central Region

Dover

Singapore
Information
TypeGovernment-aided
MottoThe Best Is Yet To Be
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity
DenominationMethodist
Established1 March 1886
FounderWilliam F. Oldham
SuperintendentRathi Parimalan
School code0803
ChairmanRichard Seow
(ACS Board of Governors)
PrincipalShirleen Chee
GenderMixed
Colour(s)  Red
  Blue
  Gold
SongACS Forever
AffiliationAnglo-Chinese Schools
Geylang Methodist Secondary School
Methodist Girls' School
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Websitehttp://acjc.moe.edu.sg/

Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) is a junior college in Singapore that offers a two-year pre-university programme leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examination. Established in 1977, Anglo-Chinese Junior College is the junior college arm of the Anglo-Chinese School family of Methodist schools in Singapore.

History[]

The history of the school dates back to 1913 when Reverend William Fitzjames Oldham saw the need for the provision of pre-university education for Anglo-Chinese School boys. As a result, the Anglo-Chinese College building project and the fund-raising initiative were started by Reverend J S Nagle, who started negotiations with the British colonial government about setting up a college to prepare students for British university education. The proposal was turned down by the government, who decided in favour of establishing Raffles College to commemorate the centenary of the founding of Singapore.[1]

Establishment of Anglo-Chinese Junior College[]

In 1970 the ACS Board of Governors submitted their recommendations for a junior college to the Singapore government. A 6-hectare site at Rochester Park on a 30-year lease was given for the construction of the college. Anglo-Chinese Junior College thus became the fifth junior college to be established in line with the Ministry of Education's policy on pre-university education, equivalent to a British Sixth-form college, welcoming 968 students in Pre-U 1 and Pre-U 2, on 3 January 1977. To start with, it was an all-male institution. Its main complex was equipped with three lecture theatres, a library, the Tan Chin Tuan Auditorium and eight laboratories. The Shaw Sports Complex housed a 400-metre bitumen track, tennis, volleyball, basketball and sepak takraw courts.

Since then, more facilities have been added to the college, with an extension to the original block, and refurbishment in the 1980s.

School identity and culture[]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College is a Methodist institution committed to an all-rounded education based on Christian principles and consciousness of others, self and God.

Corporal punishment[]

The long-standing ACS "family tradition" of corporal punishment - using caning to discipline misbehaving male students - was adopted by Anglo-Chinese Junior College in initial years. However, ACJC practice was to deliver the strokes privately in the principal's room, whereas canings at ACS were administered in front of the student body.[2] In one case in 1987, seven ACJC students were caned for stealing audio equipment from the college.[3] This form of punishment is no longer used in ACJC.

Fun-O-Rama[]

Fun-O-Rama XIX

This biennial fundraiser is a funfair, where students and teachers set up booths for games or for the sale of food and memorabilia. Attractions include the haunted houses and the dunking station in which prominent members of the student body and the faculty participate. Alumni of the school tend to be the largest supporters of the event.

The Fun-O-Rama involves the entire school and its alumni (as well as the entire ACS family), and the funds it has generated over the years have helped the college build a sports complex, as well as giving the entire premises a facelift, including new extensions and buildings. Besides the primary aim of raising funds, Fun-O-Rama helps bond the classes as they embark on their fund-raising projects.

Fun-O-Rama was held on 29 March 2008, 27 March 2010, 24 March 2012, 2 April 2016, and 25 March 2018.

Due to COVID-19, the Fun-o-Rama XXV which was initially planned to be held on 28 March 2020 was postponed until further notice.

College facilities[]

Aerial view of ACJC

Phase 1[]

In 1989 the first physical expansion of the college was conducted, costing SGD 3.5 million. The project was proposed in 1986 and approved by the Ministry of Education three years later. The extension included a new four-storey Library Block to contain the Oldham Library on two levels, two lecture theatres and two micro-computer laboratories. A multi-purpose void deck was built under the extension, providing additional physical space for future events such as the Fun-O-Rama carnival. A brand new 8-lane 400m track and soccer field with floodlighting capacity was also included. This phase was completed in 1991.

Phase 2[]

1 March 1992 on Founder's Day marked the start of construction for the ACJC Sports Complex. The Complex contains two swimming pools, a gymnasium, badminton courts and billiard facilities. A multi-purpose hall was also built in the complex, together with a lounge, dance studios, and a Heritage Room where trophies and memorabilia are showcased. The Complex also houses a cafe on the pool deck. Funds for this were raised through the Fun-O-Rama and other carnivals, to the tune of SGD 500,000.

Phase 3[]

(From left to right) Oldham Wing, Library Block and Viewing Gallery. The main 7-storey building is in the background, behind the Gallery.

After 20 years of housing ACJC's main lecture theatres, auditorium, staff room and classrooms, the main 7-storey building was in need of extensive renovation. There was also a need for the college to be in line with MOE's latest specifications, namely in the provision of IT-enabled facilities. In 1999, the College Upgrading Project was started at a total cost of SGD 21 million. The main block was refurbished and a 600-seat lecture theatre and viewing gallery built, with a concourse linking it to the lobby of the building. An Oldham Wing and covered walkways to all parts of the campus were built. This phase was completed by December 2002.

The Anglo-Chinese Junior College for Performing Arts is the centrepiece of the performing arts programmes at ACJC. Commissioned in May 2008, it hosts a fully equipped theatre, a black box, a dance studio and other places for the performing arts. The CPA is home to many of the College's musical and theatrical productions, and the facilities are also available for use by the community.

Achievements[]

Performing arts[]

Choir[]

The ACJC Choir is the four-time winner of the Singapore Youth Festival Choir of the Year award (1997, 1995, 1993, 1989) and holder of the Best Junior College Choir title (2003, 2001, 1997, 1995). In 2005 the choir was awarded the Gold with Honours award in the Singapore Youth Festival, giving a near-monopoly of the nation's highest choral awards from 1989 to 2005. The Choir achieved the Gold award at the 2007 SYF Central Judging and the Gold with Honours awards at the 2009 and 2011 SYF Judging.

The Choir participates in overseas competitions and tours. It first gained international exposure on a choral tour to Japan in 1989. Since then it has toured South Korea (1990) and the United States (1993), where it performed at the headquarters of the United Nations and the White House. The Choir was invited by the International Federation for Choral Music to perform at the 4th World Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney, Australia in 1996. It remains the only Singaporean choir to have been invited to the event.

Since 1997 the Choir has won international competitions in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. In 2006 the ACJC Choir competed at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod[4] in Wales and came second in the Youth Category and first in the Mixed Category.

In June 2008 the ACJC Choir emerged as the only choir with three Gold medals at the 3rd Festa Choralis International Choir Competition in Bratislava, Slovakia. The only Asian choir at the competition, it competed alongside choirs from Poland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Russia and Slovakia in the Mixed Choir (Adult), Youth Choir (up to 19 years old) and Folk Song Categories. In all three categories, the ACJC Choir won gold medals with top marks and was the only choir in the competition to whom the adjudicators awarded a perfect score of 100 points.

The Choir organises the annual concert An Evening With Friends, and performs regularly at community and ministerial events.[5]

Drama[]

ACSian Theatre has been active in the performing arts scene, and has put up numerous plays and productions for the college and at competitions. As early as 1985, productions such as Billy Liar and The Hound of the Baskervilles were staged. Some productions to date include Amadeus, The Crucible, , Grease, Fame and Camelot. Recent productions include West Side Story (2007), Pride and Prejudice (2008) and The Odyssey (2009). ACSian Theatre has also garnered several Gold awards at the SYF Central Judging, including several Play of the Year titles. Its most recent achievement at the SYF Central Judging is an accomplishment in 2018.

Dance[]

The ACJC Dance Society achieved its first Gold with Honours award at the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging Competition 2007 with the item "Hiya Bob! A Tribute To Fosse". This featured many works of Bob Fosse, such as "Cabaret" and "Sing Sing Sing!". The ACJC Dance Society has also performed at many events such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 2007. The society also stages an annual performance "Restless", first performed in 2003.

Guitar Ensemble[]

The ACJC Guitar Ensemble, since its inception in 2007, has risen quickly to be a prominent CCA in the college. It has garnered several awards at the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging (before 2012) and Art Presentations (from 2013): Gold with Honours (2007), Gold (2009), Silver (2011) and a Certificate of Distinction (2013). The ensemble organises two annual concerts - Glissando in May and A Christmas Story in December, to raise funds for its adopted charity, Club Rainbow.

Sports[]

ACJC is a traditional sporting powerhouse and is strong in bowling, rugby, softball, swimming, water polo, badminton, golf, billiards, netball, air rifle, football, squash, tennis and track and field.

The ACJC cross-country team was successful in the national schools' championships for 2001, 2002 and 2003 for the boys’ team. The girls’ team won the championship in 1999 and has consistently emerged among the top 3 teams since. In 2002 and 2003, the boys' team won individual champions. Its latest win in the national inter-school cross-country championships was in 2007.

In rugby, ACJC has held the 'A' Division title since 2000 but lost it to longtime rival Raffles Junior College in 2004. In 2005 the title was finally regained by ACJC. Waterpolo has also resulted in numerous wins for the college.

National inter-schools championships[]

Clubs and societies[]

Debate and Oratorical Society[]

ACJC's Debate and Oratorical Society takes part in various international, regional and national speech and debate competitions while organising its own public speaking and debate competitions and workshops. ACJC's traditional Intercollegiate Debating Championships is held annually in collaboration with the Ministry of Education as the main debate tournament for pre-tertiary institutions in Singapore.

ACJC debate teams have won the national title in 1999, 2001, 2004, 2013 and 2014. ACJC has also won regional tournaments such as the Eurasian Schools Debating Championships, Asian World Schools Debating Championships, Bratislava Schools Debating Championships and the Raffles Debate Academy Prometheus Cup. ACJC debaters are also regularly selected for the Singapore National Debate Team.

ACJC's orators have also won numerous public speaking events, including the YMCA Plain English Speaking Award, the Raffles Institution Gavel and Tampines Junior College Gavel events.

Strategic Games Club[]

A team of four bridge players from the Strategic Games Club emerged 2nd in both the CJC Inter-school Bridge Tournament in May 2007, and the National Inter-schools Bridge Competition organized by the Singapore Contract Bridge Association in June 2007.

The team consisted of Ng Ming Chen Edwin, Lo Chih Hung, Boon Thar Er and Peng Bo.

Science and Mathematics Council[]

The Science and Mathematics Council (SMC) organizes events such as the C.B. Paul Memorial Quiz, Science is Fun! Camp, Sputnik Camp, Amazing Race, Science Week and workshops related to science and mathematics. It introduces the fun part of science to the students and develops their interest in science and mathematics.

Academics[]

ACJC received the Academic Value-Added Achievement Award in 2005 and 2006. This award is given to schools that have been most effective in achieving improvement in their students. Improvement is measured by comparing the students' expected GCE A-Level results (based on GCE O-Level results attained) with the actual A-level results achieved. ACJC has also produced a number of scholars in recent years, including:

ACJC is affiliated with all Methodist schools in Singapore, including ACS (Barker Road), ACS (Independent), Methodist Girls' School, Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary), Fairfield Methodist School (Primary), Geylang Methodist Secondary School, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary) and Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)

Co-curricular activities[]

ACJC offers up to 50 CCAs, and also recognises any participation in external CCAs based on Ministry of Education guidelines.

Aesthetics and performing arts[]

  • ACSian Theatre
  • Art Club
  • Chinese Orchestra
  • Choir
  • Concert Band
  • Dance Society
  • Strings Ensemble
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Harp Ensemble (closed in 2020)

Sports[]

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Canoeing & Dragonboat
  • Cross-Country
  • Floorball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • Rugby
  • Shooting
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Tenpin Bowling
  • Track and Field
  • Ultimate Frisbee (Unofficial)
  • Volleyball
  • Waterpolo

Services[]

  • Editorial Board
  • First Aid Unit
  • Gardening and Landscaping Club
  • Go Green
  • Library
  • Lifeguard Corps
  • Line-In
  • Media Resource Crew
  • Photographic Society
  • Students' Council
  • Tech Council
  • History Society
  • Geography Society

Students' Council[]

The ACJC Students' Council has for 45 years been the voice of the students, forming a bridge between the college administration and the student body. The Council handles the management of events such as Orientation, Teachers' Day and Seniors' Night and is also concerned with student welfare.

The Students' Council consists of five sub-committees: the Administrative Executive Committee (EXCO), College Welfare, Public Relations, CCA, and Sales. Other, temporary committees may be set up to organise specific events.

Councillors are selected through a process of interviews, campaigning, college-wide elections, training sessions, and the April/June camp, which is held annually. The elects then receive their appointment on Council Investiture Day, marking the handover of duties from the senior council.

Faculty activities[]

  • Arts Council
  • Economics Society
  • History Society
  • Geography Society
  • Spectra/Graphics Design Society
  • Science and Mathematics Council
  • Entree Council
  • National Education Council
  • Literature Society (2009)

Clubs and societies[]

  • Chinese Cultural Society
  • Christian Fellowship
  • Indian Cultural Society
  • Interact Club
  • Malay Cultural Society
  • Oratorical and Debating Society
  • Strategic Games Club
  • Entree Council

Others[]

  • Boys' Brigade Primers (BB Primers)
  • Other Uniformed Youth Organisations

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Earnest Lau & Peter Teo, The ACS Story, Concordia Communications, 2003. ISBN 981-04-8746-0
  2. ^ Chee Keng Lim, in Development of Education in Singapore Archived 24 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, National Archives of Singapore No 1425.
  3. ^ "Junior college boys caned for audio equipment theft". The Straits Times. Singapore. 12 February 1987.
  4. ^ 60th Llangollen International Eisteddfod
  5. ^ "Anglo-Chinese Junior College: Students' Achievements". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.

External links[]

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