Anglican High School, Singapore


Anglican High School is an autonomous, Special Assistance Plan and Government-aided co-educational secondary school in Tanah Merah, Singapore.

History

Anglican High School was founded in 1956 by the Chinese-speaking congregations of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. It was the only Anglican school in Singapore with Chinese as its medium of instruction. All others were English-medium schools. The school was officially opened on 9 January 1956, and led by Rev. Huang Yang Yin. Three Chinese teachers, three English teachers were employed, and 123 male students started lessons at St Andrew's Secondary School. Later on, female students were admitted.

Settling at Upper Changi

The "8-and-a-half mile" site of the present Upper Changi Road campus was acquired in the late 1950s, and on 15 March 1959, the new school's foundation stone was officially laid by the Archdeacon of Singapore, Ven. Dr. D. D. Chelliah. It was to be built with a new school facility with 16 classrooms, three science laboratories, an administration-cum-staff room, an assembly hall and a clock-tower. And finally on 25 January 1960, the new Anglican High school officially opened and blessed by the Bishop of Singapore, the Rt. Rev. H. W. Balnes.

Obtaining SAP and Autonomous Status

Pre-university education was initially introduced along with the commencement of lessons at the new campus, and was phased out in 1978 when Junior Colleges were introduced in Singapore. In 1979 AHS became a bilingual Special Assistance Plan school, and in 1995 the government awarded it Autonomous status, giving the school greater control over its affairs.

Present

In 2005 a new school building and the AHS Heritage Centre were officially opened by the Rt. Rev. John Chew, Bishop of Singapore. An indoor sports hall was completed in 2008 and was the hosting venue for the inaugural 2009 Asian Youth Games FIBA 33 event.
The school celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2016, and conducted its first of the kind musical on 18 and 19 March as a commemorative event. Named Chrysalis, more than 300 students and teachers come together to put up the musical. Songs in the musical are composed by past and present teachers of Anglican High.

School Identity & Culture

Attire and Appearance

Anglican High School's full white uniform is closely linked to its Chinese cultural roots, much like other schools with Chinese vernacular background. Boys wear white studded shirts with five metal buttons, paired with either white shorts for lower secondary or white long pants for upper secondary level. Girls wear white blouses with three metal buttons on the front, along with a white pleated miniskirt. The buttons used to be detachable but the metal buttons are now sewn onto the uniforms for convenience. The school badge is worn on the left chest level. Student Councillors wear a white shirt with a red tie and the respective white bottoms. When representing the school at formal occasions, AHS students will wear a red school tie and dark green blazers, along with long pants for boys and unpleated skirts for girls.

Discipline

Anglican High School has a demerit point system installed along with the discipline guidelines set by the Ministry of Education. One demerit point is given for minor offences, three demerit points for serious offences, and five demerit points for very serious offences. Disciplinary actions are taken according to the severity of the offence, whether in or out of school inasmuch as the school is concerned. The demerit points are also in close relation with the students' conduct grade.

Co-curricular activities (CCAs)

Anglican High School offers a spectrum of Co-Curricular Activities by the Ministry of Education, consisting of sports groups, uniformed groups, performing arts, clubs and societies, totalling to about 24 CCAs.
The performing arts CCAs participate in school-based activities and concerts, and hold annual or bi-annual public concerts.
The full list of Co-curricular activities offered by Anglican High School is featured below.
Clubs and societies
Performing arts
Sports
Uniformed groups'''
The Student Council '' of Anglican High School functions with 3 different committees: Welfare and Development, Student Engagement Committee, and Visual Communications Committee. It consists of selected students from Secondary 1 to 4. Students must possess good conduct, academic results and leadership skills to be a part of the Student Council.
Student Councillors have to wear a special uniform as compared to other students.

School Events

iLoveAHSWalk cum AHS Carnival

Since 2013, Anglican High School hosts the iLoveAHSWalk cum AHS Carnival annually as part of the school's fund raising program. In the event held in 2016, the school broke the Singapore Book of Records for the largest piece of mosaic made from close to 30,000 straw hearts that are folded by students and staff.

Notable alumni