Tchoukball Competition 2009

Celefest 2009 Band Performance and Practice

On 23 May, my school, ACS (International), held its bi-annual funfair cum carnival on its grounds of 61 Jalan Hitam Manis. This favourable event consisted of students and staff alike working together towards a common goal – to engage members of the general public and ‘family’ schools with the ACS (International) Spirit. Another aim that was also achieved was the raising of funds for the upcoming school building(s) and the charity organisation, Mainly I Love Kids (MILK).

Specifically, my role in this carnival was to provide music for the ‘members of Celefest 09’, staging a performance as a guest band, “The In-House Band”. The band consisted of members – Miles Thng, Ezra Chan, Chloe Yeo and myself. During the carnival, we were allocated two slots – 12.00pm – 12.30pm and 4.40pm - 5.00pm. Thus, for each we arranged and compiled a set-list of a myriad of songs to accommodate the specific ‘community groups’ within our audiences. This consisted of genres such acoustic, rock, dance and alternative.

In preparation for this much anticipated event, our practices were kindly hosted by a parent over both weekends and weekdays. Each session would typically involve us practicing for approximately 4 hours. In all, this was truly an unforgettable experience, and undoubtedly a favourite.

Prefectorial Board 2008-2009 (External Duties)

The ‘external duties’ of the prefectorial board typically involved prefects sacrificing some part of their time, be it lesson time or time outside of school hours. Oftentimes, prefects on duty for events such as Parent- Teacher Meetings would stay in school until 9.30 pm, or stay an entire Saturday afternoon from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm. ‘External duties’ would usually involve a prefect ushering parents or guests of the school to various venues, serving them food and refreshments, and being ambassadors of the school. Indeed, prefects are oftentimes the face of the school.

As the Organisational Head of the Board, I would like to commend each member for their utmost efforts and support in their service to ACS (International). I believe that we, as the 4^th Prefectorial Board, have served our term well and to the best of our abilities, and that we have provided a stronger foundation for the 5^th Prefectorial Board in their term.

Prefectorial Board 2008-2009 (Daily Duties)

Having fulfilled my duties to the best of my abilities, being a prefect in ACS (International) has certainly been one of the highlights of my time as an IB student. My prefectorial term began in April 2008 and ended exactly one year later. Truly, it has been an honour to serve the school, not only as a student, but in particular as one of the 17 prefects in the 4^th Prefectorial Board.

During my term, I was appointed, Organisational Head, a member of the ex-co, on top of my customary role as a ‘prefect’. Specifically, this ex-co position involved myself drafting out daily duty rosters for the entire board on a per-term basis, rosters for external events such as Parent-Teacher Meetings and school performances, and improving on past duty positions. Indeed, this required a significant amount of my time in seeking to find who would best fit their duties and would excel it in, gaining useful experience, and at the same time seeking to give every member of the board a myriad of chances to expose themselves to various duties in the spectrum. Several of these duties consist of the reciting of the national pledge, escorting principals on stage, raising of flags, appearance checks and late-coming records. These duties were adapted from the 3^rd Prefectorial Board, and were innovated on with contributions from the 4^th Prefectorial Board.

The daily duties involved prefects reporting in school before 8.15 am, every morning, with a tie and a strong will to serve the school. At 8.15 am, prefects would go to their respective posts and duty would hence commence. At approximately 8.45 am, prefects would report to the hall for the remainder of assembly and duty would officially conclude at 9.00 am.

All in all, I have learnt that there is so much more than meets the eye with the role of a prefect. Although it may not seem so, the prefectorial board is the backbone of a school’s discipline and welfare. I have learnt that an individual’s skills are nothing without effective enforcement and teamwork, and that we as prefects are role models for the school 24/7. Without prefects, rules cannot be enforced. Without enforcement, rules are but nothing. And without rules comes a reign of chaos.

Boys’ Contact Rugby A Division Training

Rugby has been one of the most memorable and favourable aspects of my high school life. It has most certainly morphed my character into a becoming teammate and individual. ACS (International)’s development and interest in its rugby team has exacerbated in recent months.

Training for this year’s A Division has placed my view of rugby in a much brighter light. It has evolved into a level of incomparable intensity. Trainings were typically held on the school field, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. This season, I was trained as a second-row – I learnt new skills and developed a stronger mindset for the game and was able to apply these to my new position. Prior to this, I had favoured playing the role of ‘flanker’. However, this episode has taught me that it is not the position of a player that matters, but the way in which the player playing that position is able to compliment the rest of the team. Undoubtedly, I would not hesitate at another opportunity to play the great game of rugby.

Student Council 2008-2009 (2)

“I hope to learn more from those more experienced than myself, in terms of organizing events and such. I hope to establish better or stronger relationships on behalf of the student council with both the local and foreign population of ACS (International), and in turn be the bridge between both.” – These were my aims and expectations of both the 4^th student council and, more importantly, my role in it.

Having completed three terms of office in council, I am honoured to have played a part in the most outstanding council yet – the 4^th student council of ACS (International). The events, such as Spring Dance and Wii Games Day, which we organised from scratch has indeed surpassed even our own expectations.

Although we faced our share of hardships, disagreements and hitches during our term, we managed to take away more than just the subdued and unpretentious mistakes and failures, learning from them and adopting a positive attitude in dealing with whatever came our way. Without the support of our wise and caring supervising teachers, Mr. Ronald Lim and Ms. Cheryl Seah, we would not have been able to carry through with our many responsibilities. Moreover, without the peer support from the distinguished students of ACS (International) and fellow members within our council, we would not have achieved such success. Although a council is often perceived to be the backbone of a school, it can only function successfully with the genuine support and cooperation of the student body and members of staff.

In addition, during our term, we received a bountiful, and oftentimes seemingly limitless, amount of help from the school’s Parent-Support-Partners. The 4^th Student Council worked alongside them to achieve success of events such as Family Fiesta. In turn, we have established long-term relationships and bonds with them and we have vowed to help in future events extending beyond our term of office, in honour of the school.

Undoubtedly, I would gladly indulge myself in this recent term’s experiences and highlights again. I strongly feel that as a united council, we have yielded the torch proudly bearing the name of ACS (International) and have indeed been “the bridge between” more than just within the school, but between other schools and even nations. Now that we have passed on the torch to the 5^th Student Council, with bated breath, we can only expect a greater harvest because “the best is yet to be”.

Student Council 2008-2009 (1)

In my view, a student council’s role in a school system is to serve the student body, encompassing issues such as welfare and school spirit, through the first-rate organisation of events which encourage them. Further, student councilors are far beyond role models. Effectively, along with certain parties, they make the backbone of the school. Specifically, in ACS (International), the student council goes beyond all means not only to ensure that the student body has a greater sense of school spirit, but also that each individual member of the school – be it teaching-staff, non-teaching staff or student – attains the well-deserved, unique and memorable bliss of school life.

The 4^th Student Council sought high and low, beneath each rock, around each corner, to achieve the above description of a truly effective student council. Hosting a myriad of events on a regular basis such as Spring Dance, Prom, Orientation, Casual Dress Day, Teacher’s Day and more, we attempted to strengthen and establish bonds between members of the student population, delighting in the incomparable efforts we put in. I believe I speak for everyone when I say this – we have achieved so much more.

I saw my role as a student councilor as something greater than a leadership position; I saw it as an opportunity to effect change in ACS (International). Indeed, having ended my term, I am proud of the work achieved by the 4^th Student Council of ACS (International). We have certainly achieved boundless heights – a benchmark of standards proclaiming the ‘sound of ACS forever’.