Founder’s Day, as always, holds with it a mixed note of calm and formality, masking anticipation and excitement of every year as it precedes the long-awaited release of the GCE ‘A’ Level examination results. Parents and guests who attended the event held in the morning were greeted by a neat row of harps which dotted the concourse. The air of formality was extended with a dress code that exuberated sharpness and chic, evident on the alumni who returned as awardees or batch representatives.

The arrival of the Guests-of-Honour, Mr Wan Fook Weng and Mrs Lim Han Soon, was marked with rousing fanfare by the band which once again displayed its signature take on formal events. Taking centre stage, the choir delivered an impressive performance, their characteristic refrain evoking serenity and tranquility. In the principal’s address, Mrs Kelvyna Chan noted the importance of acknowledging ACS’ humble roots and the schools which grew under the guidance of God, with the Christian faith as its foundation. She then went on to systematically deliver the school report, in order of the five domains of holistic education.

The message of the day was clear, with Mrs Chan broaching on the theme of the college’s rich heritage. In her speech, she highlighted how the college is blessed with a long and illustrious history and that while we look forward to the exciting new opportunities and challenges facing ACJC, we would do well to learn from those who have gone before us. Mrs Chan spoke of change and the intangibles that remain - the deep sense of identity and values which the college holds dear and true.  Her announcement of the college’s plan to develop a Heritage Centre within the Sports Complex building which will showcase the “Living Legacy” of ACS and ACJC was greeted with much excitement and anticipation.

As a string of crescendos from the band escorted the distinguished guests out, we were yet again reminded of the hallmark of this time-honoured ceremony as ACSians, both past and present, come together in celebration of the accolades and achievements of fellow ACSians; basking in the legacy and glory of the college.  All these were made more precious when steadfast praise for God was given.

Below is the excerpt of Mrs Kelvyna Chan’s speech on  the ACJC Heritage Centre : 'Our Living Legacy'

The theme of this year’s Founder’s Day Celebrations is the College’s rich heritage. In line with this theme, we had invited the past principals of ACJC as our Guests of Honour. Mr Chee Keng Lim was the founding Principal of Anglo Chinese Junior College. Mr Wan Fook Weng was the college’s 2nd Principal from 1986 – 1996 and Mrs Lim Han Soon, the 3rd Principal from 1996 – 2002.

We thank God for the great blessings that He has bestowed on the ACS family for the past 124 years. We also want to thank Him for His loving kindness and faithfulness toward ACJC for the past 33 years since its inception. 

In the words of William Wordsworth, an English Romantic poet, “Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future.”

Our college is blessed with a long and illustrious history. While we look forward at the exciting new opportunities and challenges facing ACJC in the years ahead, we would do well to learn from those who have gone before us.

Hence it gives me great pleasure to announce to you the college’s plan to develop a Heritage Centre within our Sports Complex Building. This Heritage Centre will showcase the “Living Legacy” of ACS and ACJC. We hope that all who visit the completed Heritage Centre in future will better appreciate the grandeur of the past endeavors of the college and thereby be inspired to contribute richly to the College both now and in the future.

The college history is created by past and present ACSians. In the midst of us today, we have former students and staff of ACJC. In fact, we have current parents who are themselves former students of ACJC. To help us document and relate the history of ACJC more authentically, I would like to invite you to contribute pictures, artifacts and memorabilia of our past college. Or you could write reflections of your college days and what ACJC still means to you today.

We look forward to unveiling the new Heritage Centre by this year and inviting you to embark on an illuminating and exciting heritage discovery journey with the college.