By Kartika Darina, Sec 3, SCGS and Sitthinonhthong Phouthada, JC1, Innova JC

Why did you join FAME?

Kartika: I wanted to see how far I can go if I joined the audition 

Sunny: I've never participated in any singing competition before and I joined because my friends encouraged me. 

What were you feelings about the 4 auditions? 

This year there were 4 internal auditions for FAME. Each round was very tough because the other contestants were equally strong, especially Georgine and Phoebe. We even had to compete with them twice. Through these auditions, we had forged friendship with the other contestants and they had been encouraging us ever since the beginning of the competition.

Moreover, joining FAME had given us the chance to know some of the AHMs better like Mr Alex, Ms Cindy, Ms Putu and Ms Yindy. They went to a very great extent in order to help train us within a short period of time.

On the day of the FAME itself, we didn't feel ready as the AHMs were still lecturing us for being shy and not being able to come out of our comfort zone. However, what they had done did not demoralize us. In fact, it inspired us even more to put in our best.

Then the moment when we had to make our first appearance came.

Sunny: I was very nervous. However, the loud cheer and support from the OH's supporters gave me the confidence and I was able to accompany Kartika to the stage.

Kartika: I cried during the hypnotizing part and the teardrop mark was obviously there.

When we finished singing both of the songs, we had a sense of accomplishment since we both felt that we had done the best we could. As such, at that time, we told ourselves that whatever the result was we would not regret.

Being the winner of FAME 2011 is a gift for the AHMs' and our hard work. The late-at-night practices and everything really did pay off.

Judges' Quotes 

"X-rated!"

"It's like watching an MTV music video"

"Are you guys sure you're not a couple? You have matching outfits"

"Impressive"

Phoebe:

 "Sunny and Kartika have voices that melt people's hearts and chemistry that either makes one jealous or simply overwhelmed. I lost my voice for 3 days after screaming and cheering for them during Fame."

Georgine :

"Kartika and Sunny had improved tremendously from the first audition. They have forged strong ties of camaraderie and team work while working together in such a short time. So proud of them!"

By Atim Amana, Sec 3, ACS (International)
And roving reporters Georgine Irisha Ngo Cua and Nguyen Phan Hoang Kim, both Yr 1, ACJC

A resounding cheer rattled the Barker Road Campus on Saturday 5 March 2011 as ACS Oldham Hall hosted the Founder's Day Challenge. This year 13 guest-boarding houses attended the event for a second year. This strong participation enabled ACS Oldham Hall to donate $13,000 in total ($1,000 for each participating hostel) to the MCYC Community Services Society and the Methodist Welfare Services. These funds will be disbursed as bursary awards to children in Singapore from needy families to help pay for their education and textbooks.

All guests were greeted ever so warmly by our ushers and cheer team. The Sports Hall was buzzing with people making new acquaintances and old friends reuniting. It was truly a sight to behold as there was an aura of friendship and camaraderie emanating from the crowd.

The proceedings kicked off with a prayer followed by a bugle call by Executive Director, Mr Chua. The fun and excitement began as the dance team took to the stage, decked out in black and red uniforms, and then the time came for the Captain's Ball and Futsal tournaments which were much anticipated by everyone present.

After a series of electrifying preliminary rounds and then the semi-finals, the time came for the finals of the respective competitions. The Futsal and Captain's Ball teams of both Oldham Hall and Catholic JC Hostel were facing off in both finals, an unprecedented event. Each competition was fast and furious, with remarkable displays of skills and gameplay. Every point gained and conceded was followed by thunderous cheers from both teams and their supporters that shook the Sports Hall to its core.

This year, both ACS Oldham Hall's Futsal and Captain's Ball teams walked away with the Champion trophy. Before giving out the medals and the trophy, our Guest-of-Honour, Lieutenant General (NS) Desmond Kuek, who wore a rugby jersey of his alma mater ACS (yes, he is an ACS Old Boy!), gave a heartfelt speech about his time in ACS and the indelible impact it had on his life.

The closing prayers and benediction were said and the guests then adjourned to the Dining Hall for a sumptuous dinner. There, more new friendships were forged and existing relationships strengthened.

Each year, members of the ACS Oldham Hall (ACS OH) Management Committee, Staff, and Assistant House Masters/Mistresses come together as one united body to submit themselves to God and commit the year ahead to the Lord. This act symbolizes the fact that we place God first and consider all acts of service to be the outward expression of our relationship with Him. Mr Koh Kok Hong, Chairman of ACS OH emphasised in his welcome address, the strong longstanding ties between Barker Road Methodist Church and ACS Oldham Hall. It serves as a constant reminder that we are dependent upon the Lord for strength and wisdom as we serve Him in ACS OH.

As in past years, the Dedication Service was held after a day of intense fun and games at the Orientation Games. The lovely voices of the ACS OH Choir and time of worship led by Ms Leong Chin Yee (Lay Ministry Staff, Barker Road Methodist Church) and AHM Alex Chin were a calm repose to the busyness of the day. Boarders and staff were encouraged by Rev. Malcolm Tan (Pastor-in-Charge, Barker Road Methodist Church) to live our lives well; with each new day we are given second chances in life and with God we can survive whatever challenges that come our way.

The dedication ceremony was a solemn moment, where staff committed or recommitted themselves to serve others with the love of God and to care for the flock (of boarders) under their care. It brought to mind a verse from the book of 1 Peter 5:2-3 where Paul the Apostle wrote:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

The atmosphere certainly lightened at the end of the Dedication Service as boarders and staff alike eagerly adjourned to the Dining Hall for supper and the prize giving ceremony for Orientation 2011, but the significance and message from the Dedication Service continued to remain close to heart. May the Lord be with us as we begin the new year and in the days ahead.   

By Mr Khoo Wei Khong, Asst. House Master

On 12 February 2011, the annual ACS Oldham Hall Orientation Games was held in various locations in the ACS (Barker Road) Campus. The theme for this year’s Orientation Games was on fairy tales, something that makes us think about our childhood years. Indeed, this event was one full of fun, games and surprises, just like other events held in this boarding school. Unlike previous years, this year’s Orientation Games was organised by the collaborative effort between several senior boarders (JC2 and Secondary 4 students) and the Orientation Games AHM workgroup. For the first time as well, a number of Oldham Hall alumni returned to help out in the Orientation Games.

The day started off with the boarders cheering for their own respective houses in the dining hall. This certainly hyped up the mood as each house was excited to take home the place of Orientation Games Champion. The houses then started to head for their respective games. The games for this year’s event were named after various fairy tales. There was “Hansel and Gretel’s Perfect Dessert”, held at the ACS (Barker Road) swimming pool, which aimed to help boarders get to know some local Singapore desserts. “Alice in W(a)nderland” was a multiple-station game with stations scattered throughout the ACS (Barker Road) campus – to help boarders get to know the campus better. “Battle of the Frog Princes and Princesses” and “Cinderella’s Shoes”, which were held at the futsal courts and tennis courts respectively, were fun games for the boarders from various houses to bond together better. The “Once Upon a Time” game had boarders attempting to identify ACS OH staff by their baby photos and some other unique characteristics. The finale, “Finding Nemo”, was our familiar water bomb fight with a twist to it – there were some Nemo’s hidden toy in some of the water bombs which if found could give bonus points to the finder’s house.

The day ended with powerful and energy-filled dance performances by student boarders from the two JCs that ACS OH hosts: Innova Junior College (whose students danced to the tunes of ‘911’ and ‘DJ Got Us Falling in Love’) as well as Anglo-Chinese Junior College (whose students danced to the tunes of ‘Dynamite’ and ‘All For One’). The games then ended on a high note with a prayer by AHM Khoo Wei Khong and the singing of the ACS Anthem.

Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.” We certainly experienced that during this year’s thrilling Orientation Games!

By Georgine Irisha Ngo Cua, JC1, ACJC

Christmas is a special time of the year when family members can gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For us boarders, it is still a little lonesome as we are away from home. However, thanks to Oldham Hall’s 12 Days to Christmas programme in which we had fun using our hands and voices, we could feel the presence of family deep inside our hearts.

During the first few weeks, we experienced 4 Sundays of Advent Sharing. Our Assistant House Masters/Mistresses (AHMs) took turns to share on Hope, Joy, Peace and Love which helped us to understand the true meaning of Christmas. At the end of each Sunday, we lit a candle to be reminded of the message. We also took time to pray for our families at home and ourselves as well.  The most memorable thing throughout was that we learnt to sing a number of Christmas carols. It was really interesting for all of us, even those who are not Christians, to have the chance to sing such beautiful songs for the first time in our lives. A few of us even had the opportunity to learn to play guitars, in classes conducted by some of the AHMs.

In the Amazing Race, we were divided into groups, which raced with each other to visit games stations located  in the Orchard-Dhoby Ghaut area and in order to complete tasks. These tasks, planned by Oldham Hall’s AHMs, involved singing carols, taking pictures with Christmas trees, collecting various items and solving puzzles. It rained throughout the day, but God’s grace, the rain stopped at night just before the event began. We later enjoyed a supper in Oldham Hall after the race.

All of us were excited when it came to the Cookie Baking and Christmas Craft sessions. We learnt to make delicious cookies, and adorable Christmas hats and necklaces all by ourselves.  We are so lucky to have “multi-talented” AHMs to teach us.  Ms Susan is undeniably a very good cook as she makes delicious cookies right from the first try. Mr Ryan is an expert in metal bending. It seemed as if he could make anything out of metal wires, from bookmarks to many kinds of accessories.

I am sure many new bridging scholars share the same sentiments with me on our first Christmas in Singapore and we would like to thank Oldham Hall for making it so special for us.

By Nguyen Le Khanh, Sec 3, SCGS