Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Infobox Singapore School
name = Anglo-Chinese Junior College
英华初级学院 (Yīnghuá Chūjī Xuéyuàn)


motto = The Best Is Yet To Be
established = 1977 (March 1, 1886 original ACS)
type = Government-Aided
session = Single-Session
principal = Mrs Kelvyna Chan
city/town = Dover
school code = 0803
enrollment = 1900+
colours = Red, Blue, Gold
border_color = #0000FF
uniform_color = #FFD700
homepage = [http://acjc.edu.sg acjc.edu.sg]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) in Singapore opened in 1977 and is the junior college arm of the Anglo-Chinese School family. ACJC offers the standard two-year pre-university programme, with students taking the GCE 'A' Levels in their second year. It was the first Junior College in Singapore to have a sports field and a running track incorporated into its campus.

ACJC is a well-rounded institution that excels academically, in sports, and in the performing arts. The class of 2005 produced 2 out of 4 President Scholars, and the 2006 GCE A-Level results exceeded expectations, with a record 233 students scoring at least 3 A's. Rugby, swimming, hockey, netball and water polo are some examples of sports that ACJC has dominated for many years, often finishing the season either 1st or 2nd. The ACJC Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Concert Band, Drama and Dance Societies, and the Debate Team have contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of the college; all of them doing well at local or international competitions.

The current principal is Kelvyna Chan (from 2002).

History

The history of Anglo-Chinese Junior College stretches as far back as 1913, when Rev. William Oldham envisioned the need for a junior college for ACS. As a result, the Anglo-Chinese College building project and fund-raising initiative was kicked off by Rev. J S Nagle, with negotiations beginning with the British colonial government about setting up a college to prepare students for British university education. The proposal was unfortunately turned down by the government, who decided in favour of establishing Raffles College (now the National University of Singapore) to commemorate the centenary of the founding of Singapore.

In 1970, the ACS Board of Governors decided to propose the establishment of a junior college and submitted their recommendations to the Singapore government. After numerous discussions, a 6-hectare site at Rochester Park on a 30-year lease was given for the construction of the college. Finally in 1977, ACJC became the fifth junior college to be built in line with the Ministry of Education's policy on pre-university education, welcoming 968 students in Pre-U 1 and Pre-U 2 on 3rd January. 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 tekraw courts.

Since then, newer facilities have been added to the college, with an extension to the original block, and a refurbishment of existing facilities carried out in the 1980s. ACJC has also held the popular biennial Fun-O-Rama carnival since its establishment.

The academic and CCA records of the college have improved significantly through the years. ACJC offers excellent opportunities for qualified students to succeed by providing a holistic, well-balanced and all-rounded education.

Culture

Vision and mission

ACJC is a Methodist institution committed to an all-rounded education of the highest standards based on Christian principles and a consciousness of others, self and God. ACJC upholds noble ambition and character for the service of God and nation. The values of "Integrity, Tenacity, Passion" serve to guide the student throughout the time that is spent at the college.
* We pursue truth, knowledge and the courage to seek and conquer.
* We uphold integrity, honour and loyalty, to strengthen lives for service and leadership.
* We nurture self-discipline and tenacity of purpose, to build ruggedness of body and spirit.
* We inspire passion and the desire to venture above the ordinary, in order to make a difference.

tudents' Council

The Anglo-Chinese Junior College Students' Council has been an integral part of the college's history for 30 years, having been the voice of the students and linking the College Administration and the student body together. The Council handles the management of events such as Orientation, Chinese New Year celebrations and Teachers' Day as well as being concerned with the welfare of the student population. The ACJC Students' Council consists of 5 sub-committees, the Administrative Executive Committee (EXCO), College Welfare, Public Relations, CCA, and Sales. There are also many ad-hoc committees which may take place throughout the Council term, which aim to serve the many events that will be organised.

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

Fun-O-Rama

This biennial fundraiser is essentially a fun fair, where students and teachers set up elaborate booths for either games or the sale of food and memorabilia. Popular attractions include the haunted houses and the dunking station in which prominent members of the student body and the faculty participate. Coupon sales typically begin weeks before the day of the event, and statistics on the sales by various classes are published to encourage students. Alumni of the school tend to be the largest supporters of the event.

The Fun-O-Rama is a huge event which involves the entire school and her alumni (as well as the entire ACS family), and the funds generated over the years have helped the college construct 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 XIX was held on 29 March 2008.

College facilities

The original facilities at the establishment of the college included the main 7-storey building which housed a library, 3 lecture theatres, an auditorium, canteen and laboratories. Tennis, basketball, sepak tekraw courts and a running track were also built. Since 1977, these facilities have been consistently upgraded, resulting in different phases of construction and expansion of the college infrastructure.

Phase 1

In 1989, the first physical expansion of the college was conducted, costing $3.5 million. The project had been proposed in 1986 and was finally approved by the Ministry of Education 3 years later. The extension was to include a new four storey Library Block that would contain the Oldham Library on 2 levels, 2 lecture theatres and 2 micro-computer laboratories. The multi-purpose void deck would also be built under the extension, providing additional physical space for future events such as the biennial Fun-O-Rama carnival. A brand new 8-lane 400m track and soccer field with floodlighting capacity would also be 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 new Complex contained 2 swimming pools, a fully equipped 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 other important memorabilia are showcased. The Complex also houses a cafe on the pool deck. In order to carry out this monumental undertaking, funds were raised through the Fun-O-Rama and other carnivals, to the tune of $500,000.

Phase 3

After 20 years of housing ACJC's main lecture theatres, auditorium, staff room and classrooms, the main 7-storey building was in need of an 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 at a total cost of $21 million commenced to refurbish the main block. A 600-seat lecture theatre and viewing gallery were 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.

Today, ACJC is in the midst of building the Centre for Performing Arts, which is estimated to be completed by the first quarter of 2008. The CPA will include facilities such as IT-enabled classrooms, public spaces, and venues for the performing arts to showcase events.

Achievements

General awards

*Sustained Achievement Award for Sports, 1999-2006
*Sustained Achievement Award for Physical Fitness, 2002-2006
*Sustained Achievement Award for Aesthetics, 2000, 2003-2006
*Academic Value-Added Achievement Award, 2005-2006
*Sporting Singapore Inspiration Award (Silver)

YF Central Judging 2007-2008

*Choir (Gold)
*Chinese Drama (Gold with Honours)
*Chinese Orchestra (Gold)
*Concert Band (Gold with Honours)
*Dance Society (Gold with Honours)
*Drama (Gold)
*Guitar Ensemble (Gold with Honours)
*Indian Cultural Society (Silver)
*String Ensemble (Gold)

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 coveted Gold with Honours award in the Singapore Youth Festival, sealing its dominance over the choral scene with 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.

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

Since 1997, the Choir has excelled on the international stage, winning international competitions in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to name a few. In 2006, the ACJC Choir competed at the [http://www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/index3.asp?cat=23&d=1&pageid=368237 60th Llangollen International Eistedfodd 2006] in Llangollen, Wales and came in second for the Youth Category and significantly, a first for the Mixed Category, the highest achievement for a Singaporean choir to date. The ACJC choir was also one of the 5 finallists in the Choir of the World competition - The Pavarotti Trophy. Its current conductor is Mrs Valarie Wilson, the Vice Principal of the School of the Arts, and former Vice Principal/Head of Music at ACJC.

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

The Choir also organises the annual concert "An Evening With Friends", and performs regularly at both community and ministerial events.

[ [http://www.acjc.edu.sg///article/365 Anglo-Chinese Junior College: Students' Achievements ] ]

Concert Band

Since its inception in 1977, the Concert Band has been another mainstay of the college. The band has garnered a succession of Gold awards at the SYF competitions since 1992 and have also achieved the "Band of the Year" title for a few years. Most recently, the Band received the Gold with Honours at the 2007 SYF Central Judging. The Band has also participated in several overseas music festivals and competitions in countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, Austria and Switzerland. Most recently in 2006, the Band travelled to Sydney, Australia for the 17th Australian Music Festival, where they clinched the Top Gold award and were selected as the Command Band for that event.

The Band also holds two annual concerts every year, the "MUSE Annual Band Concert" and "MUSE - A Night To Remember".

On 7 July 2008, the ACJC Concert Band embarked on a Switzerland-Austria competition cum performance tour. From the magnificence of the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss mountains of Jungfraujoch to the fine architecture of Schonbrunn Palace and its sculpted gardens in Vienna, the sightseeing experience and opportunities to learn more about Europe were many. The Band enjoyed city tours of Lucerne and Vaduz, as well as visits to famous places such as Mozart’s birthplace, the Sound of Music tour and Seagrotto. The Band also staged two public concerts in Austria, specifically in Muelln Church, Salzburg and in Waisenhauskirche Maria Geburt, Vienna.

Undeniably, the highlight was the Band's competition as part of the 6th Jungfrau Music Festival held in Interlaken, Switzerland, at the Casino Kursaal. The Band dazzled the audience with a wonderful rendition of the set piece, Symphonic Metamorphosis, followed by Armenian Dances Part 1 and a musical showcase of Asian cultures in Charming Asia. The ACJC Concert Band did the nation and college proud, emerging with a high score of 93 points, which earned the Band a Gold award and the prestige of being the top band of the competition.

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 Lair" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" were staged. Some productions to date include "Amadeus" "The Crucible", "The Joy Luck Club", "Grease", "Fame!" and "Camelot". Recent productions of note include "West Side Story" and "Pride and Prejudice". ACSian Theatre has also garnered several Gold awards at the SYF Central Judging, including the clinching of several "Play of the Year" titles. Their most recent achievement at the SYF Central Judging is a Gold in 2008.

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". The item featured the many renowned works of all time classic Bob Fosse such as Cabaret and Sing Sing Sing! The ACJC Dance Society has also performed at many prestigious events such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 2007. The society also stages annual performance "Restless", which was first performed in 2003.

ports

ACJC is a traditional powerhouse in rugby, swimming, water polo, badminton, golf, billiards, netball, air rifle and track & field.

The ACJC cross-country team has enjoyed success, most importantly in the national schools championships for 2001, 2002 and 2003 for the boys’ team. The girls’ team landed the championship in 1999, and has constantly emerged among the top 3 teams ever since. In 2002 and 2003, the boys' team won individual champions. Their latest win in the national inter-school cross-country championships was in 2006.

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

National inter-schools championships

*Air Pistol
**Boys:
**Girls: 2007

*Air Rifle
**Boys: 1994, 1996
**Girls:

*Badminton
**Boys: 1990, 1992, 2000, 2002
**Girls: 1993, 2007

*Bowling
**Boys: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2008
**Girls: 1997, 1999, 2000

*Canoeing
**Boys:
**Girls: 1993, 1994

*Golf
**Boys: 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
**Girls:

*Hockey
**Boys:
**Girls: 1994, 1997, 1998

*Netball
**Girls: 2005

*Rugby
**Boys: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008

*Tennis
**Boys: 2003, 2007
**Girls:

*Track & Field
**Boys: 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003
**Girls:

*Squash
**Boys: 2002
**Girls: 1990, 2001, 2003

*Swimming
**Boys: 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003
**Girls: 1989, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999

*Water-Polo
**Boys: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005

*"'X-Country
**Boys: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007
**Girls: 1999

Clubs and societies

trategic Games Club

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

Media Resource Crew

The Media Resource Crew, known as the MRC in the College, performs vital public address and media support in the school. They ensure various events such as ACJC orientation, Chinese New Year Celebrations, National Day Celebration, CB Paul Quiz, and other public events are carried out smoothly. Moreover, they also perform video editing for school events.

cience and Mathematics Council

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

Academics

ACJC has consistently excelled academically. The college received the Academic Value-Added Achievement Award in 2005 and 2006. Value-Added Awards are 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, and some of the more prestigious ones include, but are not limited to:
*President's Scholars
*Singapore Armed Forces Scholars
*Singapore Police Force Scholars
*Overseas Merit Scholars
*Institute of Physics Singapore Gold Medallists
*Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science
*Angus Ross Prize
*Prime Minister's Book Prize
*MOE Humanities/Pre-University/Music Elective Scholars
*ASEAN/SIA-Youth Scholars

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

pecial programmes

Co-Curricular Activities

ACJC offers up to 50 CCAs, and also recognises any participation in external CCAs based on guidelines by the Co-Curricular Branch at Ministry of Education.

Aesthetics and performing arts

*ACSian Theatre
*Art Club
*Chinese Orchestra
*Choir
*Concert Band
*Dance Society
*Strings Ensemble
*Guitar Ensemble
*Harp Ensemble

ports

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

ervices

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

Faculty activities

*Arts Council
*Economics Society
*History Society
*Geography Society
*Spectra/Video Portfolio
*Science and Mathematics Council
*Entree Council
*National Education Council

Clubs and societies

*Chinese Cultural Society
*Christian Fellowship
*Indian Cultural Society
*Interact Club
*Malay Cultural Society
*Oratorical & Debating Society
*Photographic Society
*Strategic Games Club

Others

*BB Primers
*Other Uniformed Youth Organisations

References

*1. Earnest Lau & Peter Teo, "The ACS Story", ISBN 981-04-8746-0

See also

* Anglo-Chinese School
* Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
* Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
* Anglo-Chinese School (International)
* Methodist Girls' School
* Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School

External links

* [http://www.acjc.edu.sg Anglo-Chinese Junior College]
* [http://www.blueskiescom.com "ACS Echo" magazine]
* [http://www.geocities.com/mayhemics/xc.htm ACJC X-Country Unofficial Site]
* [http://www.geocities.com/alfianz/canteen/canteen.html Mojo Dojo Guide to ACJC Canteen Stalls]