Talk:Notre Dame of Banga

Brief History
With the burning desire to spread the Gospel, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Fathers founded the educational institution named Notre Dame of Banga in 1952. The institution, standing in 10-hectare land area started as an Oblate school and is situated at the heart of the Municipality of Banga, Province of South Cotabato, Philippines.

Challenged by the great task of being "Fishers of Men", Bishop Gerald Mongeau, OMI, then the Bishop of Cotabato proposed to the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries (ARM) at Colegio de Sta. Rita, Manila to take over the administration of the school on 1955. After a thorough study of the proposal, the sisters accepted it on May 11, 1956. Inspired and moved by the charism of their foundresses, Mo. Dionisia Talangpaz and Mo. Cecilia Talangpaz, three sisters assumed the management of the school headed by Rev. Mo. Mary Bernard, ARM.

It was on the first year of the sisters' administration that the Bureau of Private Schools issued the Government Recognition No. 270 Series 1956 which started with the first and second years of the Secondary level until it was completed years after.

The dedication and noble apostolate of the ARM (now AR, Augustinian Recollect) sisters were felt and witnessed by the community. From then on, the enrollment increased steadily. To met the demands of increasing enrollment, more classrooms and facilities were constructed. The sisters' convent and chapel were built too. Equipped with oneness of heart and mind, several AR Sisters were commissioned to administer the school with the support of Banga parishioners especially Rev. Father Betelsman and the Segovia Family. It was in the 9-year administration of Sister Aurelia Cagang, AR (1986-1995), the ownership of the school was transferred to the Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. The school facilities were improved... the constructions of the administrative building (a joint project of the PATAS and the school), the gymnasium, conference/audio-visual room, the guidance office, information center, the sunken basketball court, the bleachers and the spacious canteen were just some of them.

The centralized student council, the Augustinian Recollect Student Crusaders (ARSC) was organized. The pre-school and complete elementary schools were created and received Government Recognition No. 003 S. 1992.

The Alumni Association was organized. The office of the prefect of discipline was created. The newly constructed air-conditioned computer room was now ready for use. During these years that the gradual decrease of enrollment was experienced,

It was in SY 2001-2002, that the Golden Jubilee Celebration was launched with Sr. Alma Alaras, AR as Principal. The celebration was supported by the school community, parents and alumni.

With the energetic two-timed Principal Sr. Ma. Goretti Cui, AR, the joyous celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the great Note Dame of Banga made history!

The school happily and successfully hosted big local and national events in athletics, academics, socio-cultural and press conferences.The school made outstanding academic performances in the national examination. The Dep-Ed/FAPE Re-certification team gave an impressive evaluation on the school's instruction, faculty and physical facilities. In effect, the school was given a good number of ESC slots, the government subsidy on the tuition fees of the students and TSS (Teachers Salary Subsidy).

The school experienced challenges... enrollment dropped. SY 2006-2007 was welcomed by the school community with Sr. Marilyn Gustilo, AR as the head of the school. Guided by the school's vision-mission, academics and spirituality were given top priority. More improvements and acquisitions poured... the fully air-conditioned speech laboratory (thanks to Balbin Family and Alumni) and the spacious dining hall fronting the canteen were constructed. Tiling of the classrooms was completed with the support of the PATAS. Summer clinics on academics, sports and music were offered.

Recruitment of new enrollees was intensified. With God's grace, the enrollment slowly increased. The 60th anniversary of the Notre Dame of Banga was launched SY 2011-2012 with the theme: NDB SOARS HIGH AT 60. A year after is the big event, the 60th Founding Anniversary of Notre Dame of Banga. The 3-day celebration started with a torch parade participated by the students, teachers, AR Sisters, parents and alumni. The opening program was highlighted by the lighting of the Jubilee Urn by Sr. Noemi Mapa, AR and Sr. Ma. Crisanta Armendez, AR, the school principal. It was ended by the releasing of the hot air balloons. More activities, field demonstrations, Drum and Lyre Corps. exhibition, Tribute Night, Thanksgiving Mass with His Excellency, Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez DD, Jubilee and Alumni Homecoming sponsored by Batch 87 made the celebration remembering.

The K to 12 program of the Department of Education is a big move. It starts with the Universal kindergarten and commence with Grade 12. The school was getting ready for it in terms of curriculum and instruction, staffing and facilities. The permit to operate (SHS R12 001 s. 2016) to offer Senior High was granted, SY 2015-2016. The school will have an initial offering... ACADEMIC TRACK with GAS and STEM strands.

In SY 2016-2017, the Grade 10 completers set foot for Grade 11. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cza rina (talk • contribs) 02:33, 10 December 2016 (UTC)