It Was Like We Never Left School!

Class of 80/82 Reunion

On 26th of December 2014 sixty-odd 50 year olds gathered at the Singapore Cricket Club. The camaraderie, laughter, joy and absolutely nonsensical chitchat, just like it used to be in the tuck shops and corridors of ACS/ACJC, was remarkable. Yes- it was a gathering of the ACS Class of 1980 and the ACJC Class of 1982.

As we streamed in, there were occasional exchanges of blank expressions as some of us looked somewhat dissimilar to our younger selves. Some had gained an extra pound or two and a stray of grey hair, although there were the suspicious few who had the same jet-black hair from thirty years ago. Even an exchange of names did not help. I shook hands with this buff guy and he said “Hi I am Eugene”. I went “Huh?”. He then said “I’m Bukom” and my immediate response was “Bukom! Of course you are Bukom (who the hell is Eugene)….and hey look that is McGoo and on his left is Hernia!”. The everlasting memories of old nicknames allowed us to reconnect in an instant!

As the evening progressed we exchanged old stories remembering all the fun and laughter and the teachers and friends from those wonderful years. Like Neville said in his Facebook post “It was like we never left”. And with all such gatherings, the hours slipped away like the last 30+ years - too quickly.

Through the exchange of conversations it became evident that we ACSians had permeated a wide spectrum of society. One thing that shone through however was the ACS spirit, which connected us regardless of race, language, religion, profession or social status.

Sadly some were no longer with us …. a sober reminder that we should meet more often. We agreed to meet soon and democratically declared that our Head Prefect would organize the next gathering as the Class of 80 celebrates its 35th Anniversary of leaving ACS, together with all who joined the ACS family in ACJC. The fact that the ACS family has a place for one and all is evident from the fact that this article was written by one who failed his GP!!!

This gathering was fantastic………but The Best is Yet To Be!!!

By “An ACSian thoroughbred

Class of 80-82 Class of 80-82 
Class of 80-82 
Class of 80-82    Class of 80-82 
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