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IntroductionWelcome to our school, where educational and social development go hand in hand. Our tailored focus on academics and the whole youth means that every youth will find a happy home here. Our SchoolA noble goal and a statesman's dream were the very seed that gave birth to this first public secondary school in Quezon City. Named after this city whose namesake is considered as the Father of His Country, it was envisioned to provide secondary education for the children of workers and residents of Barrio Obrero. The idea of a public high school in this city was nurtured in a meeting of the officers of the Kamuning Elementary School Parents-Teachers Association in 1947. No less than City Mayor Ponciano Bernardo inspired, motivated, challenged, and later on endorsed the establishment of a high school in this part of the city. For its part, the association solicited funds, sponsored beauty contests and benefit shows, and out of the funds raised, the high school eventually took shape. At the start, the school consisted of a modest four-room building that housed 155 students, and seven classroom teachers headed by its principal, Mr. Quintin C. Pantaleon. It was at this period that the students, teachers and school administrators laid the groundwork of what was to be a more expansive educational fountainhead. The students experienced varied enriching activities like athletics, self-government, and the publication of its official school paper, "The Capitol." Barely five years after its founding, Quezon City High School established several annexes, namely: Roces Annex in 1951, La Loma (E. Rodriguez Jr. High School) in 1952, Cubao (Ramon Magsaysay High School) and Quirino High School in 1953, San Francisco (Don Mariano Marcos High School) in 1954, and Galas (Carlos Albert High School) in 1955. Upon the death of Mr. Pantaleon in 1956, the torch of responsibility was passed on to Mrs. Conmemoracion M. Concepcion, who introduced to the school the educational innovations she learned abroad. Those changes proved useful to the students and to education. Among them was the organization of Homeroom P.T.A.s which turned out to be an instant success. Meanwhile, due to the increase in enrollment because of the passage of City Ordinance No. 7909 providing free tuition to children of low-income families, other annexes had to be established. These were the Novaliches and Roxas annexes. In 1965, Mrs. Concepcion was subsequently promoted to Assistant City Schools Superintendent for Secondary Schools. She was succeeded by Mrs. Monicacia de la Cruz, then principal of Quirino High School. Mrs. De la Cruz's task was to see to the completion of pending projects like the construction of the prefabricated building, a six-room, two-storey building, and a concrete fence. Some of these projects were fully completed during the tenure of her successor in 1971, Mrs. Isabel C. Tinga, who came from Novaliches High School. The 10-year tenure of Mrs. Tinga is remembered for the variety of school-community activities that were interesting, enjoyable, and enriching. For one, QCHS became the pilot school in community development, the venue of an agro-industrial fair that showcased the goals and projects of the government under the "New Society." It was during this period when the school boasted of its cultural groups (dance and choral), and "The Capitol" romped away with the championship in the National Capital Region Press Conference in 1979. The years also marked the construction of another six-room two-storey building for the freshmen. In 1981, following the Division policy of reshuffling school heads, Mrs. Tinga was assigned to E. Rodriguez Jr. High School while Mrs. Lumen G. Velasco was assigned to QCHS. Mrs. Velasco continued the cultural revival program of Mrs. Tinga, an effort which paid off in terms of winnings in division, regional and national levels of the choral group competition. In 1982, the QCHS Choral Group was national winner in the KKK Choral Competition. The CAT Model Platoon likewise reaped honors in competitions and tactical inspections. While working for the school's development program, Mrs. Velasco saw to the repairs of school facilities, worked for the construction of a 10-room two-storey building that housed some classrooms, the administrative office, library and property room, and sought the assistance of the alumni to give due recognition to deserving teachers. The latter resulted in the Lansigan-sponsored yearly search for the QCHS Outstanding Teacher which started in 1986. To date, there have been four such teacher awardees. In addition, the school has a track record of having three teachers named by the QC Jayceerettes as Outstanding Teachers in their respective areas; five master teachers chosen during Mrs. Velasco's term, and several other teachers named for their special services or recognized for their dedication and commitment to the teaching service. After the twelve year term of Mrs. Velasco, Dr. Corazon Fontillas took over in August 1993 until September 1997. It was during her term that the eight department areas had duly appointed Head Teachers while the departments without master teachers had gotten one. Currently, a building is named after her which was constructed during her term. Mrs. Sheridan Evangelista’s short stint in the school, October 1997 – May 1998, left a significant legacy: the orderly layout of the school campus and conduct of graduation ceremony. Dr. Erlinda Leva, June 1998-2000, came after the seven months stay of Mrs. Evangelista. It was during her term that a full-time Bookkeeper and an Accounting Officer were appointed to QCHS. The term of Dr. Josefina T. Perlado, 2000-2005, marked another milestone of the school. At the middle of her term, the enrollment rose to more than 10,000; making it qualified to be one of the School IV of the Division. Because of this, more teachers were appointed and school buildings were constructed. Two Master Teacher I were promote to Master Teacher II while two Head Teacher III were promoted to Heat Teacher VI. Four classrooms at the second floor of then Imelda building was converted into an Audio-Visual Room through the Angelo Reyes Sr. Foundation. The AVR is designed like a mini-theater with a 120 seating capacity. The Drum and Lyre of the school was born during Dr. Perlado’s term and it earned various winnings and brought honor to the school like the two school parpers, the Capitol and Ang Parola do. The athletes were well supported by Dr. Perlado together with all the student contestants in all areas. The Teachers-Employees Multi-Purpose cooperative was established and recognized by the Cooperative Development Authority. I t was towards the end of her term that the Coordinator of the Quezon city High School International Alumni Association (QCHSIAA), Ms. Carmelita L. Villanueva, came to the school and presented the ICT in Teaching Program. A male principal in the person of Dr. Alejandro Referente was appointed and his term was from June 2005-December 2006. His term saw the completion of the 9-classroom 3 storey DPWH building and the full blast training in Integration of Information and Communication Teachnology (ICT) in Teaching. The partnership of the QCHSIAA with the Rotary club of J. P. Rizal Makati paved the birth of the first Computer Laboratory for Teaching. When Dr. Diego M. Amid took over in January 2006 and ended in December 2009, the ICT in Teaching really blossomed – three batches of Teacher training with some international ICT gurus; two Study Tours at Singapore in 2007 and 2009; one International Conference attendance by ICT Core group members in March 2009 at Hong Kong; the donation of the Dell Learning Center – 20 brand new computers. The e-Library was also organized with the funding of then Mayor Feliciano “SB” Belmonte and an 18-classroom 4 storey building was constructed, also through Mayor Belmonte. The QCHS Alumni Association repaired the second floor of the Old SB Building and turned it into a conference hall, furnished with airconditioning units, two comfort rooms, and long tables with mono block chairs. The term of Dr. Romulo B. Rocena is considered the shortest among all principals of QCHS – barely less than five months (January 2010 – May 25, 2010) but proved to have accomplished so many in almost all aspects of the school. The negotiations for a Multi Learner Hub by the QCHSIAA and Redfox Technologies was finalized; the proposal and approval for implementation of Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) and Special Program in the Arts (SPA); the Faculty Club was reorganized; established a very good rapport and recognized contributions of the alumni associations, local and international; the face-lifting of all the school buildings and campus took place and the common Staff Room was assigned; there were National winnings by both school papers – The Capitol and Ang Parola and from the athletes too. Topping Dr. Rocena’s legacy to the school was the very successful and acclaimed organization and hosting for the launching of the 2010 Brigada Eskwela- Regional Level. Dr. Diego M. Amid came back on May 26,2010 and stayed until October 31, 2011. The ESEP and SPA were implemented; two Master Teacher I’s items were reclassified to Master Teacher II; the Multi Learner Hub was turned over; the 3rd Study tour took place (Bangkok, Thailand); ICT International conference participation by four ICT core Group members in Bangkok, Thailand; regulated WiFi connectivity of the school. After three consecutive male school administrators, QCHS warmly welcomed Dr. Cynthia G. Vidad in November 2011. Dr. Vidad is the 14th Principal of the very first secondary school in Quezon City since 1947. The School looks forward to a yet another phase with her leadership to make QCHS a premier high school in the city and of the country. |
