ACS Class of 61/63

Fifty years is certainly a milestone by any standard. To commemorate this milestone, 118 old schoolmates and teachers gathered at The Churchill Room of The Tanglin Club on 18 November 2011 to celebrate the ACS Class of 61/63’s Golden Anniversary Reunion.

Among those present were several classmates from overseas who flew in for the special occasion. They included Chou Sun Lin (our Seow Poh Leng medallist) and Priscilla from Seattle, Chin Kek Vui and Ann from Los Angeles, Raymond Soh and Teresa from Vancouver, Goh Bin Liong and Helen from Wellington, Lee Pui Kuin and John from Toronto, and Ang Chee Soong and Jessie from Ipoh. Our former teachers, Mr Wan Fook Weng, Mr Chan Chin Bock, Mrs Patricia Wong, Mrs Sim Si-hoe Sing Sow, Mr Peter Joe Chia, Mr Wee Teow Kee and Mr Liau Nyuk Hoi, also honoured us by their presence at the event, which took a dedicated team six months to organise.

It was indeed a joyous occasion as classmates, some of whom we have lost touch since leaving school, greeted and re-connected with each other. There was no problem recognizing one another although some of us have changed in our physical appearance; amazingly, some looked almost the same as the day they left school! Undeniably, the delightful buffet spread of Western, Chinese and Indian dishes, the kindred spirit and the happy chatter of long lost friends made the evening a most enjoyable and rewarding one for those in attendance.

A mini talent contest spiced up the evening with our own “ACS Idol” panel of judges appropriately alluded to as Randy Jackson (Glenn Knight), Simon Cowell (Eric Lee) and Paula Abdul (Ethel Chan). Competition was very keen but Victor Ngo eventually pipped Edward Yeo to take the top prize; the deserving third prize winner was the Ms Sixties female quartet comprising Goh Ju Ling, Kuok Perk Harn, Ching Pui Kuin and Cynthia Oh. The winners were awarded with $500, $300 and $200 dining vouchers at a leading restaurant in Singapore.

Throughout the evening, lucky draw prizes were distributed. Sita World Travel kindly donated 10 Singapore Flyer tickets and 2 air tickets to Phuket as 3rd and 2nd prizes respectively. The top prize worth $5,000 was the naming right to a hybridized orchid donated by Ang Chee Soong who owns the Eucharist Orchid farm in Ipoh. And guess who won the top prize? John Lee! And now he has an orchid named after his beloved – Dendrobium Doreen Lee.

To round off an entertaining and exciting evening, our classmate and perennial pop legend Eric Lee sang a few songs for us, including 2 songs from his new CD “My Heart Wants To Sing”. Eric also kindly donated the entire sales proceed of his new CD that evening to the ACS Foundation. We ended the successful evening by singing our school anthem “ACS Forever” and “Forty Years On”.

Email from John Lee says …
Dear Friends and Classmates of ACS 61-63,
We have just 50 days to go before our 50th Anniversary Reunion Dinner 18th November 2011 at the Tanglin Club. We have 40 classmates and 12 spouses and 1 friend registered so far for the reunion dinner. Apart from those of us residing in Singapore, I am just thrilled to welcome those residing overseas who will be joining us in the celebration. They are Ching Pui Kuin (Toronto), Chou Sun Lin (Seattle), Raymond Soh (Vancouver), Goh Bin Liong (Wellington), Ang Chee Soong (Ipoh) and Victor Ngo (Kuala Lumpur). We are just glad that they are taking the trouble to join us.

We are grateful for the 53 who have registered so far, but are we gratified – surely not. Look at the picture above taken at our 45th Anniversary dinner at the American Club. There were 73 of us and 5 teachers. As far as I am aware, only two of our classmates in the picture – Eddie Lee and Ong Ai Teik have passed on to another life. The rest of us I assume are still firmly planted here on earth - 5 years older and perhaps with some affliction which comes with age. Whatever condition you are in, we love you, we want to pray with you and rejoice with you. Your friendship is so important and endearing to us, we URGE you sign up for this reunion if you have yet to do so. The organising committee is hopeful that we will have 100 classmates gathering at Tanglin Club on 18th November. Click “form” to download the registration form, sign up now and post it to John. If you need transportation to Tanglin Club, please indicate on the form or email me. We have been allotted 20 car park lots for those of us who are non-members. Let me know if you need a carpark. Priority will be given to vehicle owners who carpool to the club.

The Best Is Yet To Be.

God bless,
John CS Lee
On behalf of Organising Committee.

PS Many thanks to donors and sponsors of gifts.

Dear Friends and Classmates of ACS 61-63,

This is it. The BIG 50 Golden Anniversary of our ACS class of 61- 63. The Organizing Committee is planning a Grand Celebration for this occasion. We are hoping that everyone, and we mean everyone, wherever you are in the world, will make a special effort to return to Singapore for this Grand Reunion.

We had originally planned the Reunion for 11.11.11. Unfortunately, this is such a popular date for weddings that it had been almost impossible to get a decent restaurant for our Reunion. The Reunion is now fixed for Friday 18th November 2011 from 6 to 11pm. It will be held in the stately Churchill Room at the Tanglin Club.

The Organizing Committee promises you an evening of fine entertainment, glorious food and above all, an unforgettable evening of renewing friendship with old classmates.

We have 2 months to 18.11.11. Can you help us by registering early. Complete the registration form (click “form” to download a copy) and make payment (S$20 per person) by cheque to John Lee and mail to his office at 9 Taman Serasi #01-11, Botanic Gardens View, Singapore 257720. If you are residing overseas, you may opt to pay at the door.

Thank you.