More than 700 principals and teachers from the seven Anglo-Chinese schools gathered at the ACS (Independent) Centre for Performing Arts, IB Complex for the Staff Dedication Service on 19 January 2008. This significant annual event is the ACSian way of acknowledging our need to start the academic year with a re-dedication of ourselves to our Master Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The service began with Dr Ong Teck Chin, Principal of ACS (Independent) extending a warm welcome to the teachers and principals. Mr Peter Tan, Principal of ACS (BR) then led a 15-minute Singspiration, accompanied by instrumentalists from the various AC units. There was a spirit of worship and a sense of the presence of God as we meditated on the mercy, goodness and faithfulness of God from the lyrics of the songs.

Following the Singspiration session, the Rev (Dr) John Barrett’s call to worship reminded us to trust in the Lord and to always do good. The congregation then lifted up their hearts and voices to Charles Wesley’s great hymn of praise ‘O, for a thousand tongues to sing’ and Fanny Crosby’s hymn of worship, ‘To God be the Glory’ in an expression of our gratitude to God for the great things He had done in our lives.

The ACS (Independent) choir then gave us a beautiful rendition of the anthem, “Look at the World” by John Rutter, reminding us to be appreciative of and thankful for the things He has bestowed on us.

The highlight of the Dedication Service was Bishop Dr Robert Solomon’s sermon entitled, ‘A Benchmark for Teachers’, based on the scripture from Titus 2: 6-8. Dr Solomon exhorted us to ‘teach with integrity’, to do our best and to serve with sincerity to our heavenly Master, and not just to be seen of men or be men-pleasers. Secondly, we are to ‘teach with seriousness’, using tools and techniques that will engage the students’ interest, hold their attention and to touch their lives. Finally, we are to ‘teach with soundness of speech’, which emphasises on the substance or content of what we teach, rather than on the style of our delivery.

After the Bishop’s message, the congregation of teachers and principal were invited to reaffirm their commitment as responsible educators to their young charges. A prayer of dedication for the teachers was given by Bishop Solomon before the service concluded with the rousing singing of the ACS anthem. Singing the anthem, one cannot help but feel a rush of pride that this is perhaps what sets the ACS teacher apart from the “others”. We are a close-knit family of teachers and students where “our hearts, our hopes, our aims are one’ and ‘no discord (can) ever sever”. Long after the Dedication Service is over, the “Teachers’ Oath” we have responded to will continue to remind us to be faithful to our task and true to our calling as we “stand together for the cause of ACS forever!”