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Sta. Teresa College
November
2006
A lifetime of being concern, sense of responsibility, dedicated service
Bauan today is an image of a progressive municipality. It is a big land along
Batangas Bay with rearing industrial estates, busy streets and picturesque
beaches and a population of more than 70,000. Ninety-five percent of its
people are Catholics.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Way back in 1940, in response to the urgent need of the "breathe there the men
with souls so dead", Msgr. Alfredo Versoza, then Bishop of Lipa, with Mother
General’s permission, turned over to Mother Mary of the Holy Name Philips, St.
Bridget’s Superior then, the management of the newly organized school, St.
Theresa’s Academy (STA) which was run by the Franciscan Sisters. Some records
show that the academy was formerly the Colegio de Sta. Teresa de Jesus which
was established in the 1920’s with the core values CONCERN, RESPONSIBILITY,
SERVICE.
This pre-war STA had complete elementary and high school departments. Sr. Mary
of St. Clare governed the high school department while the elementary was
handled by Sr. Mary of St. Dorothy. Sr. Mary of the Immaculate Conception came
later to help the two sisters. They were welcomed by then Parish Priest of
Bauan, Msgr. Castillo.
Sta. Teresa College is located at Kapitan Ponso St., Poblacion 2 in Bauan,
BatangasWith the advent of World War II, the school was closed temporarily.
Not long after, in 1944, it reopened when the Japanese Imperial Army permitted
Mother Clare to resume classes on condition that Niponggo would be taught in
all classes.
The classes were complete except for the top most years (III and IV) in high
school. The rumblings and tumult of the war of the Philippine Liberation
forced STA to close before the school year was over.
At the request of the then incumbent parish priest, Fr. Gualberto Latorre, STA
was started again in 1950 by Sr. Mary of the Holy Name. Classes were not held
in the historic seminary which housed the St. Francis de Sales Major
seminarians but in the ancient rectory which was but a glorified nipa hut. It
had a roofing of nipa shingles, walls of a "new" kind of wood called masonite,
had barely two rooms big enough to hold classes and a smaller room,
multi-purpose room served as office, library, reception room and school store.
There were 50 students at the start with Kindergarten class in the ground
floor of the Fathers’ new semi-concrete rectory. A wooden partition separated
the Kindergarten class from the Grade II class. The detachable partitions were
used as framework for stage programs.
Nineteen fifty-one marked the presentation of diplomas to the first Grade VI
graduates, and by 1954, the first high school graduate.
Such were the inauspicious beginnings of the post war St. Theresa’s Academy.
The burgeoning school population could no longer be accommodated in the ground
floor of the hut so a new school building was built in 1951 on the site of the
old hut. The façade was lonely on paper but the reality was below the
expectations of Mother Mary of St. Dominican who followed the minutest details
in the planning, construction and painting. The school continued to grow. Sr.
Mary of St. Theresa took over as Principal vice Sr. Mary of the Holy Name.
Mother Therese was succeeded by Sr. Ofelia Endrinal and later by Sr. Mary
Francis Xavier. The last Good Shepherded Sister who administered St. Theresa’s
Academy was Sr. Mary Ann Terrinal.
In 1970, the Good Shepherd Sisters turned over the school to the Archdiocese.
Then, St. Theresa’s Academy which closed its doors to male High School
students until 1970 opened and welcomed a hundred young boys eager and
enthusiastic to be under the roof of St.Theresa’s Academy. As an Archdiocesan
school, STA was run by its first School Director, Rev. Msgr. Alberto M.
Boongaling. Mrs. Flora V. Javier supervised the High School department while
Miss Leodegaria A. Ciceron took charge of the Grade School.
Contrary to apprehensive forewarnings brought about by the sudden change of
administration, STA in its first year of independent existence increased its
population by almost 200 and the following year, enrolment hit the 800th mark.
STA growth was remarkable.
In answer to the demands of the community, STA applied for and started to
offer night classes in June 1974 with 39 students. The Night Department lasted
for 21 years.
In 1984, Rev. Fr. Conrado G. Castillo took over the directorial job of the
institution. Under the new administration, the main thrusts were the uplift of
employees’ status and improvement of the school’s services and facilities.
Based on the premise of the three core-values of CONCERN, RESPONSIBILITY and
SERVICE of Teresian community, Fr. Castillo pursued a quality affordable
tertiary school which was finally realized through the opening of STA. TERESA
COLLEGE in June of 1995 which marked his installation as STC’s first
president.
Coinciding with the institution’s 64th year, Rev. Fr. Carlo Magno C. Ilagan
took over the presidency in 2004 and was appointed the Episcopal Vicar for
Catholic Education. With the pioneering efforts and legacy left by previous
administrators, Fr. Ilagan spearheaded the great leap of STC to the present
times. He not only continued the development and improvement of
infrastructures but also gave emphasis on the intellectual formation and
global competitiveness of the Teresian graduates. It was with Fr. Ilagan’s
initiative that Unified Schools of the Archdiocese of Lipa (USAL) was
established where STC served as a front runner.
USAL becomes the umbrella organization of all the archdiocesan schools in the
province of Batangas.
PRESENT TIMES
Today, Sta. Teresa College never rests. She continues to look back at its
difficult but colorful past and uses her experience in developing the future
now. Relentlessly, STC safeguards what is truly hers – quality Catholic
educators to produce quality Catholic Teresians.
Admission in the STC roster of faculty is never a joke. One must pass a series
of tests, interviews and class demonstrations and should be a holder of
teacher’s license before he/she is hired. But it doesn’t end there. All
members of the faculty be it teaching or non-teaching, must attend
post-tertiary education which are being reinforced by seminars, workshops and
conferences inside and outside the school.
The STC Central Library which now houses more than 10,000 titles of books and
periodicals is being managed by a chief librarian and a couple of assistants.
From ragtag computer laboratories with DOS-based peripherals, they are now
fully air-conditioned lodging Windows-based computers with multimedia and
Internet capability.
Also, in keeping with the thrust of the school to widen its offering of
significant educational opportunities, additional infrastructures were also
built. These are the Grade School additional two-storey building, fourth floor
of the College building, renovation of the canteen, shop and gymnasium,
laboratories (science, speech, internet café) and newly landscaped gardens.
Pre-school is now preptown and the opening of new courses in the college in
the field of business and information technology illustrate the dynamism of
STC’s educational system.
Sta. Teresa College has a five-point policy framework; a blueprint that guides
the institution in realizing its vision-mission.
First in the framework is the human resource development. Through a
Comprehensive Faculty Development Program, professional renewal and career
development of teachers and administrators, teachers’ quality of performance
and the administrators’ supervisory and managerial capability are assured. The
new Faculty Appraisal and Rating System are being reviewed regularly. This
revitalized system encourages the teachers to continue learning and acquire
timely and up-to-date knowledge on specific subject areas. This is supported
by the Salary Grading Scheme .
Second is Research and Development. The institution spearheads the creation of
a Research and Development Office through the Academics and Research Division.
This office supports, publishes and finances on some extent the initiatives,
programs, projects, studies and action research that may lead to enhancement,
development and upgrading of Teresian’s education system.
Third is the Values-Centered Curriculum. Then and now, value formation is the
core of STC’s every activity. It will hold even for the future. Value
orientation and continued reorientation always characterize Teresian
education. To be a Christian, a Filipino/a and a Batangueño/a, that is what it
will take to be a good Teresian.
Fourth is Curriculum Development and Evaluation Scheme. Now on its conception
stage, the scheme will look at the curriculum to be continuously reviewed and
updated by a committee tasked to do the evaluation and submit the
recommendation to the Executive Committee, the highest consultative body of
STC. Holistic approach on the learning-teaching process will be developed. A
balance between academic and co-curricular programs will be the expected
result of this approach. Some strategies are currently being considered, a
Comprehensive Cultural and Athletic Program of Action (CCAPA), a
School-within-the-School Models (SSM), Learning Resource, Facilities and
Safety Plan (LRFS) to name a few.
Fifth is Home and Community/Alumni Programs for homes and the community/alumni
are being developed so as to pinpoint their role in the whole educational
process and the system of feedback control.
Fruits of Labor
These all paid off. STC has weathered the tests of time. When the RGS sisters
in 1970 turned over the administration to the Archdiocese of Lipa and the
school became co-ed, many thought STC will not last. With the mushrooming of
public high schools in the vicinity in the 80’s up to 90’s, ‘doomsayers’
predicted a lower enrolment. On the contrary, from a handful in 1970,
enrolment increased year after year. The growth was almost 2%, a rare for a
private school nowadays while the college department has a steady increase of
7%.
One hundred percent (100%) of Teresians passed the National Secondary
Assessment Test (NSAT) and the National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT)
since it was administered by DepEd during the 90’s up to the early 2000. STC
is a consistent placer in the top 100 schools in the region. Even in Licensure
Examination for Teachers (LET), STC was never behind. The passing percentage
of Teresians’ educators is always way above the national passing percentage.
In academic (Math Olympiad, Rotaquiz, Young Scientist search, press
conferences and other agency-sponsored competitions) and non-academic contests
(choral and dance fests, athletic meets, art contests and the like), STC has
made a name for herself. More often than not, contestants went home with
awards. Though, STC believes that there is also learning in losing. Numerous
fourth year students passed admission tests in prominent colleges and
universities and became board exam passers and even topnotchers in various
professions. Some batches of alumni, on the other hand, brought honor to their
Alma Mater by sponsoring some scholarships.
Until now, STC affirms it educational role within the framework of
complementing quality education and social responsibility to the community it
serves. Being the center of academic excellence and extension of the Church,
it is making an indelible mark in the history of the province.
As STC passes another milestone in her colorful history, it is with a high
note that she recognizes the roles and CONCERN everyone played for her
development. But with a sense of reverence, she also reminds the
RESPONSIBILITY everybody must share to be of SERVICE to all those who need
one.
In Sta. Teresa College, education is life itself
To educate one self is to know thy God: Indicative of the words, Sta. Teresa
College springs forth to provide a God-centered education rooted in Roman
Catholic tradition. Entrenching essential contributions to today’s Church and
society, STC creates a myriad of atmosphere embracing the fourfold dimensions
of the Teresian education: people of faith, students, teachers and staff. As
these proponents synergize, the values of CONCERN, RESPONSIBILITY and SERVICE
are realized. And in the context of the community, these people of faith
comprise the contingents of Catholic education as they relate the Gospel
teachings to all aspects of human knowledge and life for others to emulate.
Therefore to intensify this undertaking, the institution promotes programs
focusing on the attainment of knowledge, on the acquisition of values and the
discovery of truth.
Reflective of its endeavor: STC steadfastly embraces before all creations the
life and lessons of its Patroness: St. Teresa of Avila. And this holds true
and is manifested in the outreach activities and other interrelated programs
that are constantly revived through the years. "Paskuhan sa Setyembre",
Prisoners Awareness, Parish Adoption, Scholarship subsidies and Catechetical
works are the prominent apostolic works of the institution. The "Paskuhan sa
Setyembre"is annually celebrated every 8th of September. This is actually a
moment for all members of Teresian community to share anything for others and
during Christmas season, the community hands over these gifts to poor families
within the archdiocese. Also accentuating this early celebration is the annual
visit to prisoners as part of promoting Prisoners Awareness and elevating
understanding on the part of the STC community. The essence of these
activities is to make these people experience the very fundamental nature of
giving and loving and somehow uplift them from their impoverished state that
encumber them from appreciating life’s other blessings.
On other aspects, the school also reaches out to able students who need
financial assistance through granting scholarships. This will not only
encompass financial help and corresponding learning opportunities but will
also create a venue to acquire intangible lessons to further train them in
their professions. As counterpart responsibilities, the scholarship grantees
render service to the school to instill in them the importance of
responsibility and the value of being hardworking individuals.
Furthermore, as an indispensable part of its being a beacon of Catholic
education, STC also helps in the evangelization of other members of the
community outside the institution. With this, it has become a part of the
curriculum to render catechetical works to neighboring schools. Trained
students teach and share the wonders of God’s word to other people of the
community.
Leveraging on Catholic education: The Grade School department houses child’s
early developments and the High School department functions as the formation
academy.
These incorporate the first two crucial phases pertinent to the growth of the
students towards becoming intellectual and vigorous servants of the church and
of the society. Gradually but with firm compassion, these students are shaped
to be individuals with exceptional minds and courage to eventually exude what
they learned. From the towering nooks of the prep tots to the historical
abodes of the high school studes, burst the very highlight of Teresian
education: the drive to be of service to others. The heightened competition in
the academic world challenges the Teresians to mark a difference in the genre
of learning that is to grow beyond this learning: learn, live and inspire.
The college department on the other hand, acts as a reservoir for advanced
eruditions and experiences. The department offers courses such as: Bachelor of
Elementary Education, (General Education and Pre-elementary Education as areas
of concentration); Bachelor of Secondary Education (English, Filipino,
Mathematics, Social Studies, Biological Science, Physical Science, Religious
Education); Associate in Computer Technology, Bachelor of Science in Computer
Science; Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in
Information Management; and Associate in Office Administration; and Bachelor
of Science in Office Administration; Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration (Financial Management, Human Resources Development Management).
The aforementioned courses serve as channels to the realization of the vision
and mission of the Christ-centered education highly executed by the
institution. With respect to the other works of the church, the advent of
Teresian education is an important epoch in the history of Batangas. Not only
does this kind of formation impacts a new sort of knowledge and lays down new
principle of action, but it does supply the effectual means of making the
school’s ideals actual and of carrying its precepts into practice.
Moreover, the heightened competition in the academic world challenges the
institution to mark a difference in the genre of learning, and the Teresians
to grow beyond this: learn, live and inspire.
Empowered Church. Intrinsically, STC incorporates the formation of values
along with the empowering of the mind to be able to exemplify the life and
values of the Church. And fundamentally that is the precise mission of the
institution and the very core of being Teresians; Teresians which not only act
as mini-reflections but substantial witnesses to the humble works of the
institution as well.
Among others, STC continues with conviction, its passion of being of service
to others and to the Church as well. Similarly, Teresians equipped with the
right values of CONCERN, RESPONSIBILITY and SERVICE reinforce the Church in
its battle of creating a home with people exemplifying its values.
Teresians are bequeathed with the opportunity to develop a life exemplified by
the life of Jesus Christ. With this, STC creates a positive atmosphere where
eminent education and Catholic values are emphasized. These values, on the
other hand, are emphasized by empowering the staff and students of the
institution to extend Christianity beyond the school and into the community.
Thus, making STC an extension of the Catholic home that transpires
individuals, and of the Church that instills healthy and scholarly Christian
values.
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
Philippine Schools Online Directory
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