NEWS ARCHIVES:  SY 2004-2005  |  SY 2005-2006  |  SY 2006-2007  |  SY 2007-2008 | SY 2008-2009 |
                                   SY 2009-2010 | SY 2010-2011 | SY 2011-2012

SSC Units Present Dreams and Targets for Next 5 Years
By Eliezer E. Francisco, SSC Planning Officer
Posted: Friday, June 17, 2011

"One of the signs of spiritual vitality is Creativity that shows our affinity with God the Creator. This means having the visions and dreams and the ability to realize and concretize these dreams and being imaginative, taking risks and daring to undertake new tasks." - Talk on Spiritual Vitality by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB

The sequel to the May 21 workshop on Appreciative Inquiry yielded positive results on June 10, 2011.  On that day, the Heads of the Units/ Budget Clusters presented their dreams and targets synthesized from the high points (success stories) discussed in the workshop. 

The Units’ presentations in this one-day conference, which was entitled “Conference-Briefing on 5-Year Strategic Plan”, focused only on the major highlights (dreams/ targets related to the main key result area of the cluster/unit) instead of detailed plans and programs.   This was due to the limited time allotment for discussion by each unit.   The activities for the conference were as follows:

• Morning Praise – Sr. Isabel, Orito, OSB – Institutional Campus Ministry Head
• Opening Remarks and Overall Thrusts/ Directions of SSC – Sr. Mary Thomas Prado, OSB – SSC President  
• Grade School 5-Year-Plan Highlights – Ms. Imelda Garcia, OIC Coordinator for Academic Affairs (on behalf of Sr. Edna Quimbao, OSB - Principal) 
• High School 5-Year Plan Highlights – Mrs. Maria Lourdes Cura, OIC for Academics (on  behalf of Sr. Adela Arabia, OSB - Principal)
• College Unit 5-Year Plan Highlights – Dr. Remedios  Ching – Dean of College
• Night Secondary School – 5-Year Plan Highlights – Sr. Filipina Pineda, OSB – Principal
• Institutional Academic Support Services – 5-Year Plan Highlights -  Mrs. Virginia Fornias – Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Administrative Service Units – 5-Year Plan Highlights – Sr. Vicenta Anuran, OSB – Vice President for Administrative Affairs
• Information Technology – 5-Year Plan Highlights – Mr. Andrew Ambubuyog – IT Manager
• Business Office – 5-Year Plan Highlights – Sr. Vida Mones, OSB – Finance Director/ Treasurer
• Planning & Development Office – 5-Year Plan Highlights – Mr. Eliezer Francisco – Planning & Development Officer

A few highlights of the conference were as follows.  

Opening Remarks of SSC President/ Overall Thrusts and Directions of SSC

Sr. Mary Thomas Prado, OSB, SSC President, first announced the good news about the increase in enrollment of first year college students compared to the previous year; showing graphs of the enrollment trend for the first year level of the different schools of the College Unit and overall.   Sr. Mary Thomas then proceeded next to talk about management concepts such as the Eight Steps to Transform an Organization (by John Kother),  Leadership (quotes from “You Have to Lead from Everywhere” by Admiral Thad Alen, Harvard Business Review), and Adaptive Leadership (by Michael Useem, Harvard Business Review).   

Sr. Mary Thomas also updated the entire assembly about the directions/ thrusts of SSC for the next ten years.   These included the following:

• The 10-Year Direction of SSC
• The 10-Year Sustainable Campus Development Plan
• The 5-Year Campus Automation System Plan (using ICT)
• The 3-Year Organization Development Plan
• The formation of the Institutional Quality Assurance Team (IQAT)
• The continuous search and implementation of innovations
• Continuation of Advocacy for Poor Women and Children
• Thrust for the systematic and sustained involvement of SSC in the upliftment of the educational system in the country (through adoption of a public school as target for outreach activities)



Grade School (GS) 5-Year-Plan Highlights


Ms. Imelda Garcia

Ms. Imelda Garcia, OIC Coordinator for Academic Affairs of SSC Grade School Unit, stated that the focus of Grade School will be on increasing the level of mastery of learning among GS students in the academic and performing arts through strategies/action plans for the enhancement of the positive core elements as follows:

• Maintain pool of competent and committed faculty members. 
• Continue training of faculty members to upgrade skills in communication, facilitation, critical thinking, questioning techniques, and other teaching strategies
• Continue systematic instructional planning for modules and competencies. 
• Effective supervision and monitoring of performance of faculty members in their subject areas.
• Monitoring performance of students and continuation of special programs to assist students with learning difficulties and/or special abilities. 
• Continue implementation and improvement of instruction approaches proven to be effective such as the Small Group Prescribed Instruction with Individual Pacing (SGPIIP), and interdisciplinary modules such as Drama in Education and others.

High School (HS) 5-Year-Plan Highlights


              Mrs. Maria Lourdes Cura

Mrs. Maria Lourdes Cura, the OIC for Academics of SSC HS Unit, explained the objectives, strategies, programs and performance indicators by key result area relating to the 5-year plan of the unit.    A major objective of the HS unit, among others, is providing its students a Benedictine education that is geared towards academic excellence; as part of the Unit’s social responsibility.  Towards this objective, the Unit intends to systematically and periodically evaluate the Unit’s curricular and co-curricular programs and enhance exposure and immersion activities and students’ involvement in outreach activities.  To assess performance and attainment of objective, the Unit will:              
• monitor percentage of passing of HS alumnae in colleges and universities,
•  measure degree of achieving competencies, 
• measure the level of involvement in religious and socially oriented causes and programs,  and
• track alumnae achievement.  

College Unit 5-Year-Plan Highlights


Dr. Remedios Ching

Dr. Remedios Ching, SSC Dean of College, discussed major high points and corresponding strategies of the College Unit for the next 5 years.  Three of the salient points discussed were as follows:

• Recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the College Unit’s Synthesis Program as a model program.  The College Unit aims to maintain this distinctive program by maintaining and training pool of qualified faculty facilitators, exploring application of the synthesis program to other subject areas, and conducting researches for current and relevant problem triggers to be used in the program.
• Music students recognized as excellent performers; winning in outside competitions.   The School will maintain this competitive advantage by developing/ implementing special programs to enhance students’ potentials, maintaining highly competent and committed faculty members and administrators as program implementers, providing opportunities to students for benchmarking their performance against excellent work and exposure to local and international competitions and events.  
• High performance in licensure examinations.  The College Unit aims to maintain this high level of performance by monitoring students’ academic performance to address and alleviate weaknesses, implementing effective coaching and mentoring programs, providing incentives to both faculty and students for excellent performance. 

Night Secondary School (NSS) 5-Year-Plan Highlights


               Sr. Filipina Pineda, OSB

Sr. Filipina Pineda, OSB, NSS Principal of SSC, explained that the NSS prides itself in producing graduates who are academically excellent as well as being equipped with vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial skills.  A major accomplishment (high point) of the NSS is that its graduates have been able to qualify/ pass the college entrance examinations and one or two have been offered scholarships.     The NSS will be implementing a 6-year curriculum program to maintain and improve further the quality and type of education that the NSS provides its students.  Sr. Filipina also emphasized the need to maintain a pool of qualified and dedicated volunteer faculty members. In this regard, she also voiced an appeal to the College Unit officials to encourage College faculty for volunteer teaching at NSS.  Further, the NSS will also continue to rely on the support of the College Unit for the use of facilities as well as the financial support of SSC top management and the Community of Benedictine Sisters. 

Institutional Academic Support Services – 5-Year Plan Highlights


Mrs. Virginia Fornias, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mrs. Virginia Fornias, SSC Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented the highlights of the 5-year plan of the institutional academic support service units.  Among the salient points discussed were: 
• Marketing and Communications Office aims to launch road shows in selected companies to entice parents to enroll their daughters in SSC Manila.
• Institutional Teachers Evaluation Office seeks to produce error-free Teachers’ Evaluation (TE) system’s output through methodical and exhaustive review, supervision of TE programmers.   The Office also aims to make TE results available for viewing by the faculty members through the SSC website.
• The Sr. Liguori Life Management and Wellness Center will continuously design and implement responsive and relevant guidance programs and services to the Scholastican Community through consistent and regular consultation, coordination and collaboration with unit heads, faculty and appropriate offices.  The Center will also pursue professionalism and accountability in the delivery of guidance services and programs among its personnel who shall continuously endeavor to promote students wellness and life management skills.
• The Registrar’s and Grants Office aims to systematically manage, maintain and update student records from admission to graduation through the implementation of a fully functioning on-line grade entry computer modules and the provision of adequate storage space within the school premises.
• The Admissions Office aims to implement an effective recruitment program that will attract and encourage students who have the desire and ability to successfully complete their elementary, secondary, tertiary and graduate studies to experience the Benedictine education.  The Office will do this through intensified recruitment activities for all academic units with the collaboration of the marketing and the registrar’s offices as well as faculty members of the academic units.
• The Institutional Research and Academic Development (IRAD) Office seeks to establish a Culture of Research in the College, High School and Grade School Units.  Towards this objective, IRAD will strengthen research capability and capability among college faculty members and students through the formation of faculty research teams and launching of additional publications in the form of a Creative Work Journal and a Student Research Journal.  The IRAD will likewise continue the conduct of research fora to share research outputs with the academic community.   For the High School and Grade School Units, faculty members will be encouraged to continue working on CBRs for the development, implementation, and evaluation of practices that affect the teaching-learning process.

Administrative Services – 5-Year Plan Highlights


Sr. Vicenta Anuran, OSB, Vice President for Administrative Affairs

Sr. Vicenta Anuran, OSB, SSC Vice President for Administrative Affairs, presented the highlights of the 5-year plan of the Administrative Services Units.   Salient points discussed are as follows:

• The Office of the Vice President for Administrative Affairs will seek to foster sound administrative traits and characteristics among administrative and general services personnel through effective leadership and efficient monitoring of implementation of plans and programs relating to administrative services as well as programs to enhance social awareness and civic consciousness of said personnel.
• The Human Resource Department (HRD) will continuously strive to become the “employees’ champion”.  The HRD hopes to achieve this objective through regular feedback and dialogues between and among superiors and rank and file, issuance of clear and relevant HR policies, teambuilding activities, quarterly rewards and recognition rites, and values formation.  
• The Physical Plant Office (PPO),  as the chief steward of the school facilities and the provider of quality maintenance and general services,  aims to achieve its mission through effective coordination and scheduling of use of facilities, effective implementation and monitoring of necessary maintenance/ general services, continuous training for upgrading skills of general services personnel, and effective communication and collaboration among general services personnel as well as with organizational units requiring their services. 
• The Information Office,   as a vital cog of the School’s system of communication with the school community and the general public, aims to continuously receive and welcome school guests with utmost hospitality and respect as would be accorded to the Lord Jesus Christ, and also to render efficient telephone services.  To pursue this objective, the Office will continuously inculcate in its personnel a helpful attitude toward guests and will provide training in efficient operation of the telephone system.    
• The Archives, as the official central depository of the archival heritage of St. Scholastica’s College, aims to efficiently collect, preserve, and provide access to documents and materials of significant historical value by students, faculty members and members of the Scholastican community.   The Office will do this through efficient records management policies and procedures (including disposition of unused documents and provision of adequate storage), proper training of Archives staff and coordination with SSC organizational units for proper turnover of documents.
• The Clinic’s mission is to provide health care services to the Scholastican community in the highest form of professionalism guided by high standards of competence, passion for work and commitment.  To achieve this mission, the Clinic will conduct year-round health consciousness activities, provide quality services to students, administrators and staff, conduct lectures/ symposia on disease management, disaster response and management, and establish network to medical organizations/ associations and practitioners.
• The mission of the Safety and Security Office is to provide total protection to the school community planning and implementing effective safety and security measures in the School campus.   Towards this objective, the Office will continue the Task Force Safe School Program in coordination with DLSU-CSB, maintain good connections with government agencies concerning safety and security, traffic and parking concerns, and maintain a well-trained and effective security force through adequate supervision, and monitoring of security personnel performance and coordination with the contracted security agency.

Information Technology – 5-Year Plan Highlights


Mr. Andrew Ambubuyog

Mr. Andrew Ambubuyog, SSC IT Manager, explained that the Information Technology Office (ITO) is committed to supporting the School’s mission and vision through the effective and efficient management of ICT resources grounded on Benedictine values.  In pursuance of this mission, he stated that ITO seeks to accomplish the following objectives:
• Adoption of an ICT framework,
• Effect a reliable  ICT environment,
• Maintain a pool of qualified IT staff who are certified IT professionals,
• Alignment of IT  goals with business goals set by SSC management,
• Promote a culture of collaboration and accountability for development and implementation of IT systems throughout the entire SSC organization.

Continuing further, Mr. Ambubuyog announced that The Office will implement the following strategies/ action plans:

• Study and development of ICT framework for the School,
• Setting up of a depository fund by top management to support technology upgrade,
• Review and study ITO organization structure and functions and compensation structure for an effective and professional ITO setup.
• Align business goals and IT goals through effective planning and communication with key management officials.
• Implement effective project management policies and procedures for successful implementation of IT projects.



 Business Office – 5-Year Plan Highlights


Sr. Vida Mones, OSB, Finance Director/ Treasurer

Sr. Vida Mones, OSB, SSC Finance Director/Treasurer, explained that the Business Office is committed to provide quality service in the following areas of school operations:

• Exerting extensive and efficient collection of student accounts,
• Handling information with due care and confidentiality,
• Delivering timely and accurate financial and management reports,
• Maintaining effective internal control over accounting and administrative aspects of school operations. 
• Safeguarding and maintaining conscientious use of  school resources
• Maintaining high level of competence, self-reliance and dedication
• Maintaining harmonious relationship within the Business Office and the school community

Sr. Vida’s discussion focused mainly on the collection of student accounts.  She stated that the Business Office aims to increase the collection efficiency ratio in relation to the outstanding student accounts through the following strategies:

• Easier and more liberal modes of payment,
• Payment through banks, internet banking,  and acceptance of credit cards,
• Renegotiation of repayment of long outstanding accounts,
• Stricter implementation of policies relating to use of post-dated checks,
• Direct communication/ dialogue with clients relating to outstanding accounts,
• Regular/ constant reminders / follow-ups on settlement of overdue accounts,   and
• Help/ support from academic units in dissemination of statements of accounts to students.

Planning and Development Office (PDO) – 5-Year Plan Highlights


                 Mr. Eliezer Francisco

Mr. Eliezer Francisco, SSC Planning & Development Officer, explained that the PDO’s goal is to provide quality planning and development services.  To accomplish this goal, the PDO will continue workshops and consultations for the Units/Budget clusters and the review and improvement of guidelines for more effective preparation of plans and budgets.  On organizational development, the PDO hopes to build up service capability by hiring qualified technical staff, provide for their career paths and eventually provide for succession for the post of Planning and Development Officer. 

The Conference ended on a positive note as all presenters and participants went home fully aware of the dreams and visions of one another and the role each unit has to play to achieve the School’s mission and vision.  
 

 

PHOTO GALLERY:


Number of Pictures:  of