"As our daughter enters preschool and transitions from a tiny tot to a little person, we hope she creates her own interests and finds what excites her. At SAS, I hope she finds that education and experiences can be limitless and that off-the-beaten-path is a fun place to travel." - Vrutika Mody, SAS Parent (Class of 2006)

Dressed in his trademark Hawaiian shirt with long white hair and mustache, Jim Baker (Class of 1976) leans forward in his chair. He tells our table about Singapore American School’s original school board structure (entirely appointed, in case you were wondering). Across the table, Mike Norman, a former educator and also in a red Hawaiian shirt, nods in agreement. I look around and wonder if anyone else knows that these two former SAS educators are as iconic as the address where we’re gathered.

15 Rochalie Drive—the place where it all began.

In 1956, SAS officially opened just where we’re meeting tonight. Of course, when someone mentions that, Jim is quick to let everyone know that the exact location of the school was actually a little further west. We nod in agreement because Jim is a walking encyclopedia of information about SAS, as well as about Singapore and Malaysia. He knows these things because he lived them—he was one of the school’s original students before later joining SAS as a high school teacher.

That original colonial black and white home, rented for S$850 per month, welcomed 105 students representing 13 nationalities and all ages. The classes were held in spare bedrooms, the garage functioned as a science lab, and the grounds were large enough for physical education classes and recess.

"We hope that our two daughters will get to feel the same nurturing experiences at SAS that I was able to experience long ago. We hope that SAS helps them to continue growing into well-rounded, open-minded, inquisitive life-long learners. Our hope is that they take the privilege of being a "Third Culture Kid" and use it for good in the global community." - Emily Hoekstra, SAS Parent (Class of 2000)

Fortunately, tonight, we’re not here as students but as a collection of former SAS students who have moved back to Singapore and enrolled our own children at the same school where we created so many meaningful memories. There are over 30 of us gathered, with another 20 of us who couldn’t join this evening. 

The conversations throughout the night cover all of the usual topics—Interim Semester, IASAS, theater and dance performances, favorite teachers (Roopa Dewan, Ursula Pong, and, of course, Jim and Mike), and just a few memorable weekends at the quays. But like all proud parents, the conversations soon shift to our kids and their experiences at SAS right now. We talk about the new opportunities our children have, like robotics, Chinese immersion, and maker spaces. The most common and defining element of these conversations is gratitude.

You can feel it across the entire group. 

By the end of the night, I’m sandwiched between Jim and Mike as they relive IASAS memories. You can feel the history as the conversation flows. Meanwhile, I’m debating whether I should remind Jim of the time he locked me out of AP Microeconomics on my first day of school because I was late. 

Not tonight.

Maybe there are some pieces of history better left in the past.

"We want our children to have the opportunity to grow and learn in the relative safety of Singapore with the guidance of top educators and curriculum. We want our children to be inspired by their peers and have the confidence to embrace challenges, knowing they will be supported if they stumble. We believe SAS offered us the best chance of giving these things to our children." - Kate Gardner, SAS Parent (Class of 1993)