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The Anglo-Chinese School, Kampar
This is a picture of the Anglo-Chinese School, Kampar, founded by Rev W E Horley, in April 1903. It began as a small one-class institution in the Chinese Methodist Church building with an enrolment of 45 and a special Government grant towards teacher’s salary.
In 1915 Rev Paul Ponniah was appointed headmaster and the enrolment reached 112. The accommodation problem became acute and Rev Horley had to make plans for a building that would be adequate for the rapidly growing institution.
The late Mr Eu Tong Sen donated the site where the main building stands and a sum of $3,000. Plans were drawn and funds were raised, but World War I intervened. After the war, Mr V John, Rev C J Hall took over in whose time the long delayed building with accommodation for 320 pupils was successfully completed. This was mainly through the efforts of Rev Horley who was very much helped by Mr Chan Yin Tit, the chief clerk in the Mines Department of Kampar.
The official opening of the school building in 1919 by the Hon Mr R G Watson, the then British Resident of Perak, was a gala event marked by a special train service from Ipoh to Kampar, public visits to Eu Tong Sen’s famous mansions and gardens, a procession of school children through the streets of the town and the first Athletic Sports of the School.
The school experienced another round of distinction both in the classroom and on the playing field when Mr Yong Ngim Djin became the headmaster. A new tiffin shed and a teachers’ room were added to the main building and outstanding achievements were made in scouting and games like football, hockey and cricket. The hall and two classrooms, erected under the direction of Mr Yong Ngim Djin were officially opened in 1936 by the Hon Mr Marcus Rex. Mr Chong Wan Fook who was then the District Scout Master was decorated with the Medal of Merit by H E Sir Cecil Clementi and the first publication of the school magazine “Kacsian” was also made that year.
The first School Certificate Class was formed in 1937 when 12 out of 13 pupils passed the examination. In 1939, unique in the history of the School, it won the Malayan Inter School Half-mile Relay at the All- Malayan Athletic Sports held at Kuala Lumpur.
On January 2nd 1942 the Battle of Kampar was lost to the Japanese and the town was occupied by the troops of Tenno Heika (His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan). During World War II, the school was used as the main office for the local Japanese administration in Kampar. Also, the assembly grounds for the ACS Secondary School was used as the execution grounds by the troops. Because of this dark period of time, former students of the school have alleged sightings of supernatural beings. Common claims include sounds of Japanese troops marching and beheaded souls wandering around.
To read more about The Rev William Horley, click here.
To read more about Sir Cecil Clementi, click here.
To read more about the Hon Mr R G Watson and his wife, click here.