Anglo Chinese School, Klang
Anglo Chinese School (commonly known as ACS) is a semi-government aided primary and secondary school in Jalan Melawis and Jalan Raya Barat respectively within the district of Klang. It is the oldest school in the state of Selangor and one of the oldest in Malaysia.[2] ACS was founded and established on 10 March 1893, and officially opened by Sir William Hood Treacher.[1]
| Anglo Chinese School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Klang , SelangorMalaysia | |
| Coordinates | 3.0431°N 101.4407°E |
| District information | |
| Type | Semi government-aided all-boys primary and secondary school[lower-alpha 1] |
| Motto | Primary: Ilmu Punca Kuasa[lower-alpha 2] Secondary: Sapienta Potentia Est[lower-alpha 3] |
| Grades | Primary: Standard 1-6 Secondary: Form 1-6 |
| Established | 1893[1] |
| Governing agency |
|
| Schools | Primary: SK Methodist ACS Klang Secondary: SMK Methodist ACS Klang |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | Male:
Mixed:
|
| Colours | Blue Yellow White |
| Other information | |
| Publication | Primary: Mutiara Budi Secondary: Pelita Murid |
| Website | Official website |
The primary and secondary schools initially functioned together but were separated when enrollment in both schools increased. The primary and secondary schools are now housed in different buildings, separated by a canteen that is located within the primary school and is adjacent to the secondary school. In 2009, a new canteen was constructed for the secondary school.
The school is commonly known in Malay as SK Methodist ACS (primary) and SMK Methodist ACS (secondary) respectively. Students who have studied or are studying in ACS are known as ACS'ians.
History
1800s
In 1892, the Klang District Officer, Walter W Skeat and Loke Yew encountered obstacles when raising money for a school building. They were finally successful in renting the premises of Penghulu Mohid's house in Jalan Rembau to start the new school. ACS initial enrolment was 14 students, with one teacher. The school was officially opened by Sir William Hood Treacher in 1893.
In 1896, the school became a British public school. The school was later sent by the Episcopal Methodist Mission and it was named Anglo Chinese School in 1915. In 1920, the original building, which was made of wood, was almost completely destroyed by fire.
The following year, a new building was erected at Jalan Raya Barat, its present-day location. It was opened by Oliver Marks, a resident of Selangor. Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman was also present at the opening of the school. That year, when Reverend Abel Eklund and his wife Ruth Eklund arrived in Klang, there were 15 female pupils in ACS.
1900s
On 24 May 1924, Ruth Eklund founded the Methodist Girls' School (MGS), an all-girls school located in the proximity of ACS.[3] In 1922, the first batch of students took the Senior Cambridge Exams. Two years later, the new school magazine, called The School Review, was published. In 1925, The First Klang Scouts Troop was founded.
In 1941, a new building was built to accommodate the increasing enrollment. From 1942 to 1945, during the World War II period, the school became the head office of the Japanese army. In 1951, a new science laboratory was opened by Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Alhaj. The whole school was renovated six years later. During the same year, the first Klang Boys' Brigade was founded with the assistance of Captain Peter Dawson and Reverend Ronald Buttler-White. In 1958, Additional Mathematics, and Pure Sciences, which encompasses Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, were introduced to Form 4 (16-year-old) students.
In 1961, the ACS Old Boys' Association was registered, with Koh Liang Sih as president. In 1963, a new three-storey building was completed. It had 11 classrooms, one office, one teachers' lounge, and one Geography room. It was declared open by Captain Abdul Hamid, the Malaysian Minister of Education. In 1973, the Parent-Teacher Association (Malay: Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru; PIBG) was founded in the school hall. The first chairman was Adam bin Haji Yunus.
A three-storey block with 11 classrooms, and another block of four storeys which houses a teachers' room, an office, and an air-conditioned library were completed in 1978. It was officially opened by Y.B. Dato' Musa Hitam, the Minister of Education of Malaysia at that time. By 1979, new Form Six classes were created.
In 1980, the Report Card Day was introduced, and in 1981, the Mini Canteen day was held for the first time. In 1983, the PIBG raised funds to build a bicycle court, a tennis court, a sepak takraw court, a basketball court and a foyer. Ten years later, a celebration was held to commemorate ACS's 100th anniversary in both primary and secondary schools. In 1997, the name of the primary school was changed to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Methodist ACS Klang, while the name of the secondary school remained the same.
2000s
In 2006, the nature society club and the school itself have faced a major problem, which was the trailer which is used by the club to store the collected recycle things caught fire. The school call the fire department to put off the fire but unfortunately the gates to enter the school compound were locked with heavy-duty chains and lock pad.
In 2007, ACS Secondary underwent a major refurbishment, including the exterior of the school, along with the classrooms and the corridors being repainted, and the toilet renovated. The fund which has been raised for the renovation is mostly deposited to the person's personal bank account.
2010s
In 2018, the secondary school celebrated the 125th anniversary of the school by organising a charity night to raise funds to build a multipurpose sports hall for students to utilise during co-curriculum sessions for sepak takraw, futsal, basketball, volleyball, and badminton among others.[4]
School anthem and crest
Anthem
Click to see anthem lyrics.
In days of yore in Selangor,
Our beloved school renowned,
Became a beacon of truth and light
In the hearts of all around,
Here may it stand from year to year,
An emblem of grand endeavour,
God save our land and heaven bless
Our ACS forever.
Chorus
Sing ACS forever more;
Our ACS forever.
God save our land and heaven bless
Our ACS forever.
In your classrooms and playing fields,
Our beloved teachers all,
Great truths of life and love they taught
Thro' the years we may recall,
Our hearts are filled with gratitude,
For care and loving nurture,
God grant us strength to serve mankind,
And our nation forever.
Repeat chorus
Crest
The crest of both the primary and secondary school bares a resemblance, with the motto being the only difference. Each symbol found on the crest has its own meaning which reflects on the school and its core principles.
Book: Symbolises the source of all knowledge.
Tiger: Symbolises strength, power, and bravery.
Anchor: Symbolises hope and efficiency.
Bird: Symbolises spirituality.
Ilmu Punca Kuasa: Knowledge is the Source of Power. (primary)
Sapienta Potentia Est: Wisdom is Power. (secondary)
Vision, mission, and charter
Vision
"Sekolah Unggul Penjana Generasi Terbilang," which is written in the country's national language. The translated version of the vision would be "To be a top-performing generation school".
Mission
"Membangun Potensi Individu Melalui Pendidikan Berkualiti," which is written in the country's national language, as with the vision. The translated version of the vision would be "To build potential through quality education".
Charter
The school's charter consists of five commandments, which are noted in the country's national language, as with the vision and mission. A translated version of the charter is noted at the end. The commandments are as follow:
1. Melaksanakan segala arahan daripada KPM, JPNS, dan PPD.
2. Menyediakan persekitaran yang kondusif untuk warga sekolah.
3. Pengajaran dan pembelajaran berjalan lancar dan terurus untuk melahirkan pelajar cemerlang.
4. Memberi layanan sama rata kepada semua pelajar, ibu bapa, dan staf sekolah.
5. Menjalin hubungan baik dengan komuniti dan agensi luar.[lower-alpha 4]
School buildings
In 2009, after the completion of a new canteen for the secondary students, the school was divided into a primary and secondary buildings with a steel gate between both. As such, the classes for each are kept separate from one another.
Primary school
There are 4 classes in each cohort at the primary school for students between standard 1 and standard 6. Since the school has two sessions: morning and afternoon, each classroom at the school is used by both sessions. There are 12 classrooms in total at primary school. Students are grouped according to academic achievement and placed in the following classes:
- Bestari
- Harmoni
- Kreatif
- Maju
Secondary school
There are 7 classes at each level for students between form 1 (ages 12 or 13) and upper form 6 (ages 17, 18, or 19). Students at the secondary school are also grouped by academic achievement and strength. The classes include:
Classes
- Yakin
- Gigih
- Cergas
- Azam
- Setia
- Budi
- Jujur
Labs
- Science
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Information Technology (IT)
Notes
- The secondary school is almost an all-boys school, with an exception of Form Six, which is coeducational.
- Malay; also known as Knowledge is the Source of Power in English
- Latin; also known as Wisdom is Power in English
- 1. To perform all orders from the KPM, JPNS, and PPD.
2. To provide a conducive environment for the students and staff.
3. To teach and learn smoothly to produce outstanding students.
4. To maintain a professional and same-rate service to all students, parents, and staffs.
5. To forge a good relationship with the community.
References
- "Social work next for retiring principal". Edward Rajendra. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "14 SMKs That Are Over 100 Years Old And Still Going Strong". Anabelle Ong. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- (in Malay) History of SMK ACS Klang. . Retrieved 23 June 2007.
- "ACS Klang to celebrate 125th anniversary and raise funds for new hall". Edward Rajendra. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
External links
- Official site (ACS Secondary) (in Malay)
- The Nature Society (of ACS Secondary) (in Malay)