Foreword by the Principal

We have come a long way since we started our Boarding School in late 1994. Time really flies; more than eight years have elapsed during which we have gone from strength to strength. We have been able to welcome an increased number of boarders which at its peak reaches nearly 100% occupancy, comprising students from ACS(I) both local and foreign, and students from ACJC. Our Boarding School environment has truly been enriched by having students from diverse backgrounds. We are happy to see a mix of nationalities in residence: Singaporeans, Malaysians, Indonesians, students from the People's Republic of China, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Thais, Filipinos, Bruneians and many others. Their presence has certainly contributed to the fostering of close friendships and the promotion of international understanding. This networking will in future be an asset to these ACSians, who will some day rise to important positions and take up key vocations in our society.

In 2003, all our Halls of Residence are fully functional, each with its own sense of history and tradition in the making, and yet sharing a single history, mission and vision. Each of the eight Halls is named after a prominent member or supporter of the ACS family, and bears that name with honour and pride. Our Halls are named after T R Doraisamy, Lee Kong Chian, Tay Eng Soon, Thio Chan Bee, Runme Shaw, H M Hoisington, T W Hinch, and W F Oldham. Their past contributions, ideals and values will certainly make a deep impact on our boarders both at present and in the future. It is our hope and prayer that our boarders will emulate their fine examples.

The various systems in the Boarding School have continued to be fine-tuned and improved upon. Afternoon prep sessions have been crucial in meeting the academic needs of our boarders especially those from our school. They provide an additional avenue of interaction amongst Hall Masters, Hall Tutors and the boarders. Academic help and supervision are also extended to the boarders during these sessions. They certainly reinforce our regular two-hour evening prep sessions. In this way, the boarders are kept meaningfully engaged in pursuing excellence in education.

To complement the academic emphasis in the Boarding School, a number of activities arranged throughout the year have sought to provide an all-round development (the hallmark of an ACSian education) for our boarders. Boarders will be actively engaged in sporting activities and competition both indoors and outdoors. Key activities like "Hawker’s Fare" in Term One provide our boarders with an introduction to the local cuisines. The High-Table Dinner which brings the 1^st Semester to an end provides opportunities for boarders to experience dining in a formal atmosphere, patterned after that of the Oxbridge tradition. The International Nite in Term Threecontributes to promoting international friendship and the building up of esprit de corps amongst boarders irrespective of race and creed. The Christmas Dinner (which is traditionally celebrated early because our formal school year ends in late November) will be another occasion for happy memories. The joy, cheer and warm experience of this occasion truly presage the Yuletide celebration which every student looks forward to. All these certainly serve to reinforce our aim of making our Boarding School a home away from home.

As I conclude, I would like to thank our Board of Management led by Dr Lee Li Eng and Board of Governors led by Mr Tan Wah Thong for their unfailing support in our endeavors. They and members of the two Boards, as well as members of OBA, are regularly seen in our various functions at the Boarding School. Their presence and frequent words of encouragement have been an inspiration to the staff and the boarders. We take this opportunity to record our appreciation of their continued support and prayers. May I take this opportunity also to thank the parents of our boarders for entrusting their sons to us and for their support and prayers for the Boarding School. Lastly, I would like to thank all the staff in the Boarding School, especially the Hall Masters, Tutors and Assistant Tutors, and the Boarding School Admin staff, for their diligence and their labour of love in making the ACS (I) Boarding School so special, so welcoming & so warm. I wish everyone a Happy & God-Blessed New Year.

Dr Ong Teck Chin (ongtc@acsindep.edu.sg)

Principal & CEO, ACS (Independent)

Warden, ACS(I) Boarding School