ACS SCHOOL HISTORY

Anglo-Chinese School Malacca was one of the more well known school in Malacca. She was founded by Rev. C. C. Underhill, its Principal, on 24th November1910 at a house in Tun Tan Cheng Lock Road. It had 7 students.

In 1911, ACS moved to a building at the junction of Tun Tan Cheng Lock Road and Tranquerah Road. Between 1910 and 1917 ACS faced many problems. In the same year, due to dwindling student count, the Methodist Church Organisation considered closing the school after its Principal Mr. Buellleft.     

1917 - 1920  Fortunately Rev. W. E. Morley manage to get the services of Mr. P. T. Robinson from Methodist Boys School Kuala Lumpur to be the Principal. Mr. P. T Robinson reopened ACS at the Methodist Church building at the junction of Kubu Road and Jonker Street with a total of 60 students.

But due to the lack of interest in an English education, the number of students decrease over time. Mr. P. T. Robinson lost all hope and inform the students that they will be given 3 months holiday. He then went back to Kuala Lumpur.    

1918  Rev. W. E. Morley on the other hand did not lose hope. He appointed Mr. J. A. P. Oswald as the Principal in 1919. Mr. J. A. P. Oswald revamped the school administration. The student population increased to 160 and new teachers from Telok Anson, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur were brought to ACS.

At that time ACS was situated at 2 rented shophouses close to Yok Bin Chinese School at Kubu Road.    

In 1922, Rev. M Dodsworth built a hostel at Tranquerah Road for students from out of town, especially Malay students. In 1924, 10 students sat for the Junior Cambridge exam and the following year the Senior Cambridge Exam. Their results were very encouraging - more than 80% passes. In 1930, Dr. Ho Seng Ong became the principal of ACS.

He introduced the school magazine, the school badge and the school uniform. In the meantime the school's academic achievements and curriculum continue to improve until 1940, ACS became a famous English school and has prepared students for further studies at colleges or local and external universities .   

1926 - 1941  Dr. Ho Seng Ong also launched a campaign to collect donation for constructing a large building because of the rising student population. The building was completed in 1941 and was officially opened by Sir Shenton Thomas on 13.11.1941. Two months later the Japanese occupied Malacca and the ACS building was used as a Training Centre for the Japanese Navy. On 15.8.1945 the Japanese surrendered and in September Dr. Ho Seng Ong returned to reorganise ACS. In 1946, En. Goh Choon Lim replaced Dr. Ho Seng Ong. He continued the restoration of ACS's organisation. With a grant from the Methodist Church and the Education Department, the teachers and students of ACS together cooperated in "Operation Cangkul" to restore ACS to its condition before the war. 

In 1949 Mr. Goh Choon Lim furthered his studies at the University of Denver, U.S.A. and was replaced by C. E. Shumaker. In that year, the car park was converted into 3 classrooms. The drawing room and library was also converted into 3 classrooms.   

In 1951, the school canteen was subsequently converted into 3 classrooms. In 1956, a building for use as a Vocational workshop was constructed. In July 1957, ACS was divided into ACS Secondary School and ACS Primary School. Mr. Yong Fu Kong was appointed as Acting Headmaster. In 1960 three Science Labs were constructed. Mr. Foong Ah Yong who became the Principal in Jun 1970 constructed a tennis court, a new bicycle parking lot and repaired the school canteen. He also introduced the Dewey system for the school library.

In 1975, for the first time, there was afternoon session for Form 1and Remove class. 1980  In 1983, Mr. Cheong Teng Wan replaced Mr. K. O. Chandy as Principal of ACS. He endeavored to improve the academic excellence and discipline of the students of ACS.

In 1984 the whole school compound was fenced up. In July 1989, an additional building was constructed and completed at the end of October 1989. Mr. Cheong Teng Wan was transferred to Perak on February 1993.

His replacement was Mr. Alex Lim Yang Juay. Mr. Alex Lim went retired on May 1994 and his replacement was Mr. Siow Mung Ling who was retired on April 1998.

The present Principal Mr.Chu Eng Koh

Photographs and write up courtesy from