Orientation I

From 3 to 4 January, over 200 new students marked the beginning of their time at ACS (International) with Orientation 2019 – two days that were packed with games and activities that helped these students better understand school life and get to know one another. Following the theme of “The Solar System”, each group was led by their Orientation Group Leaders (OGLs) and Orientation Assistants (OAs), competing against one other in various bonding activities that had them put their teamwork to the test in order to emerge victorious above the other groups.

On 3 January, orientees and parents flooded in to Oldham Chapel where they were given an introduction to ACS (International) by our Principal, Mr Rob Burrough. Additionally, the students were introduced to the 14^th Prefectorial Board Executive Committee members and the role of prefects in the school. OGLs and OAs then began to break the ice by introducing themselves to their groups. Over time, the new students became more and more familiar with our school, through informative activities such as the school tour and learning of the school anthem. They also began to forge friendships with one another through an afternoon of games, showing great enthusiasm when learning their group cheers.

4 January was even more exciting than the previous day, as the new students who felt more welcomed and integrated into the ACS (International) family continued to show their excitement and eagerness during games such as Captain’s Ball, Capture the Flag and water games such as the Slip n Slide as well as the Water Balloon Fight. The two days of orientation ended with an electric showcase of group cheers and a choreographed mass dance from orientees, OGLs and OAs, to entertain the orientees’ parents, who were invited to attend the campfire ceremony, a tradition since our school was first opened in 2005. By the end of the night, the orientees were taking pictures with one another and had expressed excitement to start the school year with their newfound friends, much unlike the shy and unsure orientees who entered the school gates only a day earlier.

Although it may seem intimidating to begin a new chapter in an unfamiliar environment, it was heartening to see how a successful orientation has helped 2019’s batch of new students take the first steps towards a memorable and joyful future with ACS (International). This could not have been possible without the help of dedicated student leaders who devoted many days of planning and organising to make Orientation 2019 a success.

Amelia Govier Lynge, 6 GHK & Kim Min Jun, 6 LSG
14^th Student Council Subcommittee
14^th Prefectorial Board