HISTORY
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Its grandeur transcends a thousand years of perseverance, commitment, and teamwork. In the case of San Roque National High School, a vision and a selfless initiative started it all.
The founding of the school can be traced back to a bill authored by then First District Representative and now Mayor of Marikina City, Hon. Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, who helped pass the bill into Republic Act 9673, by virtue of which made the establishment of a national high school in Barangay San Roque, Marikina City possible. The said act was passed by the House of Representatives on December 3, 2008, by the Senate, on April 22, 2009, and on July 17 of the same year, was approved by former Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The vision and selfless initiative had taken a concrete form when building of San Roque National High School started. Situated near the southwest bank of Marikina River and standing along N. Roxas cor. Diego Silang Streets, it is easily accessed using different modes of transportation such as tricycles, jeepneys, and private vehicles.
The school began its operations a year after the approval of the act. With its first Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Mita A. Abergos, the school opened its gates and catered to as many learners it could accommodate on the 21st of June 2010. Like any beginning, San Roque National High School’s first year of operations proved to be an ordeal for the school pioneers. During school year 2010-2011, the school had no complete building of its own, however, four old classrooms of San Roque Elementary School were utilized for the institution to serve its purpose. Inspite of this, and the many concerns of the school, there was no stopping the stakeholders in providing quality education, it continued and it succeeded. With the concerted efforts of DepEd Marikina, Ma’am Abergos, ten teachers, the Barangay Council headed by former Chair, Serafin De Guzman, and with the notable support of Kagawad Wilbert “Bebet” Juanson, Brgy. Committee on Education Chair, each of those challenges were overcome.
In its second year, more challenges were encountered, but with the assistance of additional 9 teachers, attending to 526 learners and other challenges were addressed. At that time, two-year levels were added and additional rooms in the existing three-story building were constructed. This created a provision for the principal’s office, faculty room, MAPEH room, and guidance office. Other innovations included building of comfort rooms and acquisition of separate meters for electrical and water supply. Computer desktops and school sound system were consequently acquired within the school year. By the end of school year 2012-2013, the school already had a total of 24 classrooms for its 759 learners across four-year levels.
On June 29, 2013, Ms. Emily G. Santos was assigned as the school’s new principal. At that time, the school already had 936 learners, 31 teachers and 4 new school staff. Imagining a school with complete facilities and competent teachers and learners, Ma’am Santos focused on developing the performance of teachers and students and on improving the school. Her plans allowed upgrading of instructional rooms and service centers, landscaping the school garden, installing of a flagpole, setting up a transparency board and placement of safety signages in the school premises.
More innovations in infrastructure ensued. The principal’s former office was turned into a school clinic, the faculty room was utilized as a guidance office, the registrar’s office was transformed into a library and ICT laboratory, one classroom was converted into a faculty room, and the former faculty room was used as the subject coordinators’ room and CI team headquarters. Along with these transformations are the acquisition of science laboratory facilities, 50 sets of computers, kits for medicine and first aid, and the revision of the student handbook. By the end of the term of Ma’am Santos, five more teachers were added to the school’s work force.
The third principal of the school was Mr. Freddie D. Viernes who run the school from June 29, 2015 to June 17, 2019. In his first year, former Representative Marcy Teodoro made it possible to raise a new building to accommodate its 871 students. In the same year, two milestones were achieved, and these include opening the senior high school department and accommodating 12 Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSENs) with the guidance of a competent shadow teacher in the Junior High School department.
School year 2017-2018 opened with 38 teachers and 1125 students and these figures increased to 45 and 1215 respectively in the following year. At that point, the newly constructed senior high school building finally opened, and the brick school grounds were laid through the help of the local government. From its humble beginnings 10 years ago, San Roque National High School has flourished into an institution that is home to 1315 students, 51 teachers and eight other personnel. With its current Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Glenda M. Trinidad, who served as the Officer-in-Charge, Office of the School Principal, from June 18, 2019 to January 12, 2021, the school pushed its own initiatives in making SRNHS better; from providing quality instruction to improving the school’s physical environment. It also practiced shared governance, improved and sustained partnerships with the community and continues its best practices in addressing priority improvement areas of the school.
Through partnerships, the school programs on gender and development, guidance, sports, scouting, and feeding program were enhanced, interact club was established, support for leathercraft and program for shoe technology was strengthened. With shared governance, improvements continued at SRNHS; a new school gate was installed, comfort rooms were renovated, the buildings and facilities were maintained; and, additional educational equipment such as televisions and tablets were secured. The school was able to develop homegrown achievers and winners in varied competitions such as the National Festival of Talents, English and Mathematics competitions, Campus Journalism, and varied sports competitions.
In the first quarter of 2021, the school has flourished as a large institution that is home to 1361 students and 50 teachers, all under the leadership of the former Officer-in-Charge, Office of the School Principal, Mr. Eduardo M. Aguilar, who served in SRNHS from January 13, 2021 to January 5, 2022. During that time, the school had two SHS Assistant School Principals. Ms. Alma B. Castaño served from January 13, 2021 to June 23, 2021 while Mr. Benedicto M. Tabilas served from June 24, 2021 to October 10, 2022. On top of the continuous efforts to overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, San Roque National High School was driven to focus on providing learning resources to all learners and in bringing the institution to greater heights.
From January 6, 2022 to August 31, 2022, Ms. Ma. Lourdes A, Oreza served as the Officer-in-Charge of the school. During her time, DepEd was pushing its goal to go back to face-to-face classes. With Ma’am Oreza’s hardwork and leadership, the school was able to produce its Students’ Handbook for the implementation of limited and expanded face-to-face classes.
On September 1, 2022, Mr. Roseo T. Caburian Jr., who is also the school’s present supervisor, served as the Officer-in-Charge until January 10, 2023. In a span of more than four months, Sir Caburian’s accomplishments were evident from the school’s learning environment to classroom instruction. During his leadership, classrooms became more conducive to learning. All chairs in classrooms were replaced with new desks and chairs, all classrooms in the BF building were installed with ceiling fans, wirings in the BF
building were fixed, all condemned learning resources were coordinated with the SRMG, and all service centers and laboratories were put into order. The school canteen was also transferred to a bigger room. Not only did he focus on the physical environment of the school, but he also emphasized the importance of proper management and good governance. Service centers had Citizen’s Charter, Guidance and Prefect of Discipline released its process flow in handling students and teachers’ cases, and most of the school
activities had implemented guidelines.
He also established strong collaboration with the school’s stakeholders. Through his constant communication with stakeholders, boards in classrooms were repainted and all classrooms had Information Education Communication (IEC) tarpaulins. Sir Caburian is a leader that upholds strong commitment and dedication to his work. He observed, analyzed and delivered immediate actions to practices that needed to be addressed. He provided better learning opportunities to students as he provided technical assistance to teachers in providing learner-centered activities.
The next Officer-in-Charge of the school was Ms. Merian A. Dizon, who started on January10, 2023 until the present time.
Indeed, with its being driven and resilient, San Roque National High School has cemented a good name - a milestone that will be etched in its history. And to everyone who continuously contributes to its success; DepEd Marikina, city government of Marikina, San Roque Barangay Council, the School Governing Council, teachers, GPTA, SRNHS alumni, its learners and all its partners, we say thank you.
SHIELA MAE A. LAUSON
English Teacher