Singapore's History

Explore how ACS (Junior)'s story is woven into Singapore's history, from its founding in 1886 to the present day.

Last updated 11 June 2026

A FOUNDATION WE BUILD UPON

DISCOVER HOW THE STORY OF ACS(JUNIOR) IS INTERTWINED WITH SINGAPORE'S PAST

1200s - 1945 A BUSY TRADING PORT

Old hand-drawn map showing the region labeled Sincapura with coastlines, islands, and place names in old script.

Map of Singapura by Malay-Portuguese cartographer Manuel Godinho de Erédia dated 1604. Wikimedia Commons

1 MARCH 1886

THE BEGINNING OF ACS

The school opened its doors on 1 March 1886 at 70 Amoy Street.

On opening day, 13 sons of Chinese businessmen started school in a rented shophouse at No. 70 Amoy Street. Although it was known officially as "Anglo-Chinese School", it was also known as “Oldham Mission School” by the man-in-the-street.

Black and white photo of 70 Amoy Street in 1886 showing a multi-story building with arched columns and laundry hanging outside.

Four historic black-and-white photos of Singapore workers: dhobis, coolies, boat builders, and Samsui women.

A "Did You Know?" card stating Rev J. S. Nagle introduced Chapel services to ACS during the Great War.

1942 - 1947 THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

Black and white photo of several soldiers in helmets marching outdoors, one carrying a flag.

Lieutenant General Percival (right) and other British officers heading to Ford Factory at Bukit Timah to surrender, marking the beginning of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.Quah We Ho Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

A wartime cartoon showing a teacher urging boys to save paper, with students making humorous remarks at their desks.

A cartoon by Tow Siang Ling which appeared in the last pre-war issue of the School Magazine in 1941.Hearts, Hopes & Aims: The Spirit of the Anglo-Chinese School, 1986

Three historical portraits labeled People of Courage: Lim Bo Seng, Elizabeth Choy, and Lieutenant Adnan Bin Saidi.

ACS STORIES DURING WAR TIME

"The boys at Cairnhill were told to economise… So the boys are resorting to extremely small handwriting in order to save valuable paper. Only the hawkers in the tiffin shed are not cursing the war… They are secretly hoping that it will continue for some time yet because the boys have economised in regard to paper, concerts and bus fares, only to spend more in the tiffin shed." - As told by Cecil Wong in Hearts, Hopes & Aims

Red and white info card titled "Did You Know?" with text about Reverend Edward Sing Lau supplying red palm oil to pupils.

Black and white photo of a group of men in dark suits gathered around a table, some holding papers.

The British at the Surrendering Ceremony on 15 February 1942. The Ceremony was conducted at the Ford Factory Building in Upper Bukit Timah Road. Representing the Japanese was General Tomoyuki Yamashita while Lieutenant General Perceival represented the British.Lim Kheng Chye Collection from Shashin Shuho, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Two men in white suits stand on a stage at a microphone before a large outdoor crowd, in a vintage black and white photo.

An announcement being made at the victory celebration at the Padang after the Japanese surrendered.David Ng collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Black and white vintage photo of a crowd with adults and children, some wearing military-style hats and uniforms.

Spectators at the victory celebration at the Padang after the Japanese surrender.David Ng collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1948 - 1955 ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE TOWARDS SELF-GOVERNMENT

Black and white photo of a crowd gathered around a van displaying a sign reading "THE VOTE IS SECRET."

A van educating voters on different aspects of the General Elections._Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore_

1949

Primary and Middle schools at Coleman Street merged to become Anglo-Chinese Junior School.

1951

The Junior School Split into 2 Campuses, with some classes at Coleman Street and 6 standards at Barker Road.

One of the first things the school did upon its move to Barker Road in 1951 was to organise a Combined Concert with the Junior School at Coleman Street. This celebration of the move was followed by a big party to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. Festivities included processions, fireworks and parties.

Life for the Barker Road Juniors revolved around studies, examinations, sports, chapel services, and food and fun in the tuckshop.

Black and white photo of two men shaking hands and smiling, surrounded by a crowd of men in light shirts.

People's Action Party's Lee Kuan Yew exchanging greetings with Labour Front Party's David Marshall on Polling Day.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1950s-1960s THE TURBULENT YEARS

Black and white vintage photo of a crowd of people in white clothing gathered closely together outdoors.

1950. Mariah Hertogh riots.Kenneth Chia Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

ACS BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK
"Of the visual aids used in schools, excursions are probably the most valuable because they deal with things in their natural situations. Every trip supplements the class instruction. We take the classroom to the museum, to the factory, or to a municipal department where the pupils may obtain first-hand contact with the subject under study." - Mr Ang Cheng Kim, _ACS Magazine_ circa 1950s

Black and white photo of people in wet clothes bending down on a debris-covered floor under a tarp canopy.

1955. Hock Lee bus riots.Kenneth Chia Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1955
With the Change of Nomenclature of class levels, Coleman Street held Primary 1 to 5 classes, while Barker Road held Primary 1 to 6 classes. In the following year, both campuses functioned as six-level Primary schools.

A unique experience awaited the boys when the school celebrated Founder's Day with pupils and teachers gathering under the "Old Mango Tree" as the auditorium was being used by the secondary school. This lack of space did not deter those in the school, but instead gave them the opportunity to celebrate in a unique setting.

A large crowd of people marching down a tree-lined road in a vintage black and white photograph.

1956. Chinese Middle School riots.Kenneth Chia Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Black and white photo of Anglo-Chinese School building with a tall brick clock tower and entrance canopy.

The clock tower, the sentinel of Barker Road, circa 1955.

Black and white vintage photo of a group of men in formal attire seated and standing around a round table with teacups.

Merdeka Talks - Members of first All-Party mission to London, including PAP's Secretary-General Lee Kuan Yew, at Chief Minister David Marshall's office in Assembly House Singapore.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Black and white photo of a crowd queuing outside a polling station with a multilingual "Your Vote Is Secret" sign.

A queue forms to vote at a polling station during the General Elections.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1957
Primary 1 to 3 classes were split from ACJS at Coleman Street to form Anglo-Chinese Primary School (ACPS), and both schools operated as different units.

Black and white photo of a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a group of men in formal attire.

Lee Kuan Yew stands at attention with the newly-elected members of government at Singapore's first parliament meeting. The meeting was held at Parliament House at Empress Place. Then Minister of Finance and member of Parliament for Kreta Ayer, Dr Goh Keng Swee stands to the left of Lee Kuan Yew.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1958
A workshop and elementary science room for Primary 6 was completed. It also served as the teachers’ room so it was no wonder that the teachers were elated especially when the pupils donated towards the cost of installing a water tap in the room. Simple nature study experiments were conducted in the new facility. A science garden was also set up for practical work and to make simple observations on plant life and insects.

1963-1965 MERGER AND SEPARATION

A man speaks at a podium on stage at the Malaysian Solidarity Convention 1st Solidarity Rally.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaking at the Malaysian Solidarity Convention on the formation of a non-communal “Malaysian Malaysia” held in National Theatre.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1965-PRESENT BUILDING A NEW NATION

Vintage black and white photo of five men in suits standing together at a formal gathering.

Founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, Thailand. From left: Foreign Ministers Thanat Khoman of Thailand, Narciso R Ramos of the Philippines, S Rajaratnam of Singapore, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia and Adam Malik of Indonesia.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a mustache wearing a dark suit and tie.

Portrait of Encik Yusof bin Ishak, the first President of the Republic of Singapore.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Close-up black and white photo of a Singapore Airlines plane tail fin with the bird emblem visible.

Singapore Airlines or SIA was the new name given to Singapore's Flagship carrier, previously known as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines or MSA.The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted with permission

Black and white aerial view of Singapore's colonial buildings, clock tower, and harbor filled with ships.

The port of Singapore which has become the third biggest in the world by 1979, is seen teeming with ships from all over the world.The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted with permission

1984
The Coleman Street and Barker Road ACJS Classes were reunited and moved to its own campus at Peck Hay Road.

Several people in formal attire sit and stand inside a train car, conversing, with trees and buildings visible outside.

Testing out the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) with President Wee Kim Wee and the First Lady.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1986
ACS celebrated its Centenary, through a series of events, which united all four schools comprising the Junior College, the Secondary, the Junior and Primary schools.

Several thousands of ACSians from all units went to East Coast Park to help pick up litter under the event "Operation Clean Beach".

A man in a dark suit raises his right hand while holding a paper, taking an oath before two other suited men.

President Wee Kim Wee at the Swearing-In of Goh Chok Tong as Prime Minister at City Hall Chamber.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives Singapore

Vintage sepia photo of a large group of children in matching white shirts and caps gathered outdoors.

The 100KM Charity Relay Run raised more than $100,000 which was donated to the Community Chest.

Three men in dark suits at a formal event, two shaking hands while a third stands nearby watching.

Swearing-In Ceremony of Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong, shaking hands with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew while President S R Nathan looks on.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives Singapore

1999
ACJS was renamed Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), ACPS was renamed Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and the secondary school was renamed ACS (Barker Road).

The school witnessed its first-ever one-hour musical - "Ming Lee and the Magic Tree" put together by the Drama Club, Choir and Ensemble. It played to packed audiences for three nights in July at the school's Shaw Auditorium.

Outdoor night ceremony with fireworks, a lit stage with red screens, crowds standing, and a flag on a pole.

The opening ceremony of Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games at TheFloat@Marina Bay.Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives Singapore

A gray multi-story building with a John Wesley quote painted on its wall and a school crest above it.

Indoor atrium with a tall waterfall, lush green walls, glass dome roof, and people walking on the floor below.

The HSBC rain vortex, a stunning feature at Jewel Changi Airport. Matteo Morando / CC-BY-SA-3.0

2009
ACS (Junior) started classes at its present home at Winstedt Road.