After 11 years, it's time to say goodbye

After 11 years, it's time to say goodbye

SINGAPORE - Her own farewell tribute was so hush-hush, she didn’t even have a clue.

On Wednesday, Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) bade goodbye to their principal of 11 years.

But they kept the secret of the surprise ceremony so well that Mrs Kelvyna Chan had thought that it was going to be an end-of-year service for students.

Two days before, a Facebook post by former student Myron Tay had called for alumni to gather at the campus at Dover Close to pay tribute to their ex-principal.

The post said: “Mrs Kelvyna Chan has been serving as the principal of ACJC since 2002... but she will be rotated to MOE HQ where she can make a bigger impact on the school system.”

Mrs Chan will officially step down as the leader of the school in December.

She has been principal of the college for 11 years and was a pre-university student at ACS in 1973.

The 57-year-old, who is married with three children, taught General Paper and Literature at Temasek Junior College for six years, from 1979 to 1985, and was the principal of Tanjong Katong Girls’ School for four years, from 1998.

Wednesday also marked the last day of the school term for the JC students. At the school’s auditorium, parents, staff and students prepared speeches, prayers and songs to say their goodbyes, which left some choking with tears.

While Mrs Chan was praised for her ceaseless support for the school, the well-groomed woman was also teased for her “immaculate and well-coiffed hairdo” and she was handed hair products as a farewell gift by her staff.

At the end of the service, she was handed a plastic crown and driven around the school in a red Mini Cooper convertible.

At least 20 ex-students also turned up, said 22-year-old Charmaine Phang, who graduated in 2009.

She said: “I got a message from my former council president about the service. It was sad to hear that she was leaving and we wanted to turn up to show her our support and that we were still around.”

The principal was surrounded by current and former students for photos at the end of the ceremony.

In 2010, Mrs Chan was also seen as a contender for the role of principal of ACS (Independent). According to sources, she was considered because of her track record and her performance at ACJC, reported the Straits Times.

A spokesman from the Ministry of Education said: “The rotation of principals enables schools to benefit from the infusion of fresh perspectives and sharing of best practices...”

When approached at the school lobby, Mrs Chan said: “Like a teacher mentioned, we all have different seasons in life... I’ve been privileged to be part of the school for the past 11 years.”

 

Who’s taking over?

Ms Chong Choy Hoong Beatrice, the current principal of Dunman Secondary, will be the new principal of ACJC.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.