HIGHLIGHTS

JBEC in Zamboanga
Ms. Aimee A. Apolinario, High School Assistant Principal for Academics

Posted Friday, 23-Feb-2007 4:07 PM

      The Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) held its second school heads’ meeting for this school year at Ateneo de Zamboanga last February 19-20, 2007.

      Administrators from the nine Jesuit schools all over the Philippines once again met to discuss five major concerns: Ignatian Spirituality in Jesuit Schools , PAASCU Preparations, International Benchmarking, Teacher-Training, and the Jesuit Athletics Meet (JAM).

      The body was divided into five groups to discuss the proposed questions presented for each topic. Then, in a plenary, assigned reporters shared the fruits of the discussion with the group.

      Aside from this activity, the schools also went about their school reporting where each had a chance to update the group of recent events and achievements of his/her own respective school.

      Among the highlights in the reports are the opening and the building of new Jesuit school campuses. Ateneo de Zamboanga, for instance, opened its new High School this school year, while Sacred Heart Cebu will open its own next school year. Ateneo de Iloilo has acquired a lot for its new campus, while Xavier School has recently blessed the site of its second campus.

      It was also noted that schools have been performing well in academic and athletics competitions in their localities with a couple of students achieving national and international honors for their schools.

      In between the sessions, rich exchanges of ideas occured among the participants as they shared their best practices in school. During lunch break, most of the participants took the chance to visit the barter area for a little shopping since the schedule only permitted them to do this at noon.

      Toward the end of the two-day conference, Fr. Jim O’Donnell awarded plaques or appreciation to administrators who will step down from their posts or will retire this coming school year. Among the retirees was Mrs. Estrelle Nabua, who after 41 years of dedicated service to Xavier School. Other administrators who received a plaque were Fr. George Esguerra, S.J. (Ateneo de Cagayan High School Principal), Mrs. Flerida Nery (Ateneo de Cagayan – Grade School Principal), and Mr. Oscar Carzada (Ateneo de Zamboanga High School Principal).

      The conference ended with a sumptuous dinner hosted by the family of Fr. Manny Uy, S.J. (Ateneo de Iloilo High School) at the Orchid Garden Hotel. It was also a timely celebration in anticipation of Fr. Salti dela Rama’s (Ateneo de Iloilo Grade School Principal) birthday on the 22nd.

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