BUILDERS: COMING OF AGE (1980s)
by SAS Communications

The creation of the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) in 1982 proved a major step forward for SAS high school sports activities. IASAS provided new competition with other international schools in the region. IASAS also spotlighted the arts, with the first Cultural Convention held in 1983. Parents founded the SAS Booster Club in 1985 to provide uniforms for IASAS teams. The Booster Club became a key high school support organization, providing funding, volunteers for extracurricular, cultural, and scholastic activities, and promoting school spirit, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Meanwhile, the US recession of 1981-83 proved traumatic for Singapore and for SAS. Dependent on US investments and consumers, the country’s economy plunged for the first time since independence in 1965. The increasingly expensive cost of doing business on the island made matters worse. At SAS, the recession caused a 25 percent drop in total enrollment, with Americans declining to 58 percent of the student body.

SAS leadership moved quickly to counter the downturn, reopening admission to all nationalities and expanding the English language learning program. SAS effectively demonstrated its commitment to staff and programs by maintaining positions and salaries despite the drop in student numbers.

In 1987, a new gymnasium, fine arts center, and library replaced the old principal’s house at the King’s Road campus. With an 800-seat theater, bigger music rooms, and large art studio, the facilities were some of the best in the region. The library had doubled in size, and the gym seated 1,000 spectators.

The new fine arts center, with Superintendent Dr. Kuhbander’s strong support, resulted in an arts explosion at SAS. Passionate, experienced teachers brought new standards of professionalism and innovation to the dance, music, drama, and visual arts programs. Groups such as the SAS Singers were established, along with traditions such as Yulefest.

One of the decade’s highlights was the last single-venue IASAS Cultural Convention held in 1988 in the new SAS theater.

Program changes countered the separation of SAS students from local Singaporean and Asian culture. Cocooned in the “expat triangle” bound by Orchard, Bukit Timah, and Clementi roads, most students never visited the Housing and Development Board apartments and new towns where Singaporeans now lived. To shape the high school experience, the school instituted a graduation requirement of one year of Asian Studies, and Interim Semester for all students, with trips focused on the Asia-Pacific region.

The new Social Services Club encouraged students to become active in the community, and students volunteered at the Vietnamese refugee camp, Special Olympics competitions, leprosy home, and homes for the elderly. Younger students first celebrated United Nations Day in October 1985, starting a much-loved tradition.

By the end of the decade, “Asian Tiger” Singapore had the best standard of living in Asia outside of Japan. Food courts had replaced street hawkers, the Singapore River was clean, and the first MRT line opened to counter increasing traffic. SAS had also overcome the decade’s challenges. With long waitlists and campus constraints, however, radical change would be necessary before long.

  • 65th anniversary
  • 1980s
  • a tradition of innovation
  • arts
  • history

 

 

Recent Posts

Didi Hari Krishnan

Did you miss the high school PTA parent coffee on Monday, December 6? Our high school leadership team and high school students shared how we support student wellness in the high school and how we respond to student data and trends. Parents also shared tips and strategies with each other to support our students at home.