History OF LEMSEHI

The History of Lemery Senior High School

Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. However, our current education system hinders us from becoming even more competitive. Starting in the school year 2012-2013, the education system of the Philippines was enhanced from the ten years of basic education to a 12-year program through an initiative called the K-12 Education Plan sponsored by the Department of Education. The implementation of the K-12 plan in the Philippine Basic Education Curriculum is the key to our nation’s development. Though the government faces many problems as it implements the program over the course of several years, it is a necessary improvement since increasing the quality of our education is critical to our nation's success.

Lemery Senior High School is one of the senior high schools established here in Batangas. It is located at Raja Matanda St. District IV, Lemery Batangas. Since Lemery is the center district, many residents of nearby barangays were very much eager to enroll in this school. The plan was headed by the Principal IV of Governor Feliciano Leviste Memorial National High School, Mr. Maximo M. Barquilla and the focal person, Mrs. Chona C. Cabral. At first, sites were determined and documents were prepared. Networking was established with LGU, NGOs, and other business establishments. Data were constantly updated and validated. Planning for classrooms, tools, equipment and materials were made. Also, after analyzing the available resources, the tracks to be offered for the school year were presented.

Senior High School (SHS) refers to grade 11 and 12 level, the last two years of the K to 12 Basic Education Program. In SHS, students are required to go through a core curriculum and subjects under a track of their choice. The SHS Curriculum, as part of the K to 12 Program, aims to produce graduates who have the following characteristics: holistically developed; equipped with 21st century skills (i.e., learning and innovation Skills, life and career skills, communication skills, and information media and technology skills; and prepared for the future, be it in pursuit of higher education or acquisition of middle-level skills, or geared towards employment or entrepreneurship. (DepEd Memo No. 76,s.2016).

With all the strength and preparation, Lemery Senior High School was established through the effort and supervision of Mr. Maximo M. Barquilla, Principal IV of Gov. Feliciano Leviste MNHS. The school offers two tracks composed of the following: ACADEMIC Track; ABM strand (Accountancy, Business and Management), GAS strand (General Academic Strand), HUMSS strand (Humanities and Social Science), STEM strand (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics), TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD Track; HE strand (Home Economics), IA strand (Industrial Arts - Automotive Servicing & Shielded Metal Arc Welding) and ICT strand (Information and Communication Technology).

Thirty (30) teachers with 3 non-teaching personnel served as the pioneer educators of the program catering 749 students making Lemery Senior High School as the biggest Senior High School in the Division of Batangas Province. The journey in that founded year was not a bed of roses. The newly established Senior High School just shared rooms with the Agronomy Campus of GFLMNHS and Lemery Pilot Elementary School to accommodate the students for the school year. Mrs. Chona Cabral Head Teacher VI of TLE Department (GFLMNHS) helped in tailoring the school in terms of scheduling and preparing other needs of both teachers and students.

Teachers continuously improved in their professional growth. Student’s welfare was credited as different programs and activities mandated by the Department of Education were practiced and enjoyed by the learners. The road will not be easy for the birth of Senior High School. Adjustment will be done to meet expectations; time will be needed to create changes. “A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which look back or from which to look ahead.” Graham Greene.

Learning is something that takes place daily by interacting with other people and the world around us. Life often throws. Challenges that may be hurdles to overcome, but one should never get demotivated. All these obstacles should not hinder the development of a lifelong learning process. It enhances the perspective towards the world to get better opportunities, thus improving quality of life.

The learning environment of Lemery Senior High School continued to  bloom as additional teaching personnel were added to the institution. Huge increase of enrolment struck in this school year. Different DepeEd programs were accomplished to continuously enhance student’s learning. Competition were joined in different levels obtaining student’s achievement. All of which were supported by Dr. Baby Janet U. Dimailig, Principal II.

In terms of infrastructure, this year marked the occupancy of the 4 – story building in the main campus. Both Academic and TVL track enjoyed the touch of being at home. Enough number of chairs and other educational needs were relished by each learner.

Stakeholders’ partnership also emerged this school year as Grade 12 learners conduct immersion as part of the curriculum. Industries and establishment in the commercialized town of Lemery and even those outside the town accepted the partnership to accommodate the graduation students.

This also marked the history of the first graduating students of senior high school in the K to 12 program. Graduation is a memorable and beautiful journey of life. In the wake of moving on from life, individuals struggled. For some, secondary school graduation is an objective. It requires some investment and works to accomplish this objective. Over the long haul, it opens up numerous chances for individuals’ prosperity. The first commencement exercises for senior high school created history. There was a total of 683 for this school year. Majority of them will push through in college; some may be able to work or establish their own business especially those under the TVL Track.

To what they will push through with, one is constant; they are the pioneer batch of senior high school learners produced in an institution which shares the mission of carving dreams, preparing future.

In SY 2019-202, two thousand two hundred eighty five (2285) students were welcomed, having an increase of 13% from the previous enrolment of 2018-2019. Having the required facilities in both academic and TVL Track added with the nurturing and competent teachers, students’ performance was achieved.

Still classified as a performing school, Lemery Senior High School continuously created a mark in the District as well as in the Division Level in both academic and skill performances. Because of undeniable excellence of teachers in teaching and learning process, the school scripted its name in research, journalism, theatre, sports, and in skilled craft like baking.

The shift of management happened as Lemery Senior High School sent off Dr. Baby Janet U. Dimailig to Sto. Tomas National High School as Principal III, and in return welcomed Dr. Simeona Rechie C. Ojales as new Principal II of the institution. Having her trademark of serving by sharing opportunities, Dr. Ojales, crafted procedures that will add to the existing practices of the school. But this year also tested her as a leader as natural phenomenon existed.

This school year was the start of a new beginning as natural calamities occurred. The Third quarter resembled the new face of education in the Province of Batangas especially to the affected areas as Taal Volcano erupted January 12, 2020. The eruption remained to shatter the faith of the Batanguenos as almost all in the affected areas were housed in different evacuation centers. The change continued as COVID-19 pandemic entered the scene. New ways and means were developed to safeguard that education continues during the unexpected scenario. All adjustments were taken into consideration to assure that no student will be left behind because of the volcanic eruption and the rise of COVID -19 pandemic. Even though these happened, Lemery Senior High School still shared the same faith that everything will come into place. The first virtual graduation happened this school year.

The COVID – 19 pandemic disrupted the world in ways unimaginable. As we look on the past years and the harsh repercussions of the pandemic that continue until today, it is apparent that one of the most impacted sectors was education. Neither the world nor educational institutions were prepared to embrace the shift to online platforms brought on at lightning speed. Educational institutions worldwide promptly responded to the pandemic by changing the scheme.  In record time, students moved from physical spaces that provided them with much-needed social interactions to being seated behind a screen or working on modules.

The same picture was seen in the heart of Lemery Senior High School. With the incredible increase in enrolment of 2771, the school guised for solutions in meeting the expectations of the Department. Tracing students who will have on-line class and modular set-up was done using technological means. Lemery Senior High School crafted mechanisms that will suit the needs of learners and the access of parent.

Together with the support of the Barangay Official and other stakeholders, the link to connect teachers, students, and parents, was in realization. Barangay officials and Lemery Senior High School created Memorandum of Agreement to assure the delivery of modules will reach each learner. Learning packets were prepared in advance using materials provided by the school covered by the MOOE. Teachers honestly performed tasks even majority off all activities were done virtually. Seminars and other professional assignments. Were taken in utmost responsibility. Teachers followed the AWA schedule to obtain security as the school provided and allotted supplies which will help the teachers to be safe and in control of themselves. Behind all of these, Lemery Senior High School pledged to be at service at all times.

The pandemic will not be a hindrance in performing task that will benefit the learners. Different programs were created in line with the Department of Education’s PPAs to assure that learners continuously enjoy learning in the comfort of their home. Also, limited face to face learning modality was implemented before the end of school year 2021-2022 which brings joy and excitement to the entire workforce of the school especially the students. This events denotes that the pandemic were nearly to its end.

A new beginning for the school year 2022-2023 as the post pandemic period where in-person class was implemented. With different adjustment brought by pandemic within two years, Lemery Senior High School still continuously spread its wings in molding and developing learners into a productive citizen. The class officially open last August 22, 2022. Expanded progressive face to face served as the new learning modality for this school year for the month of August, September and October. For it seems to be the new beginning, a new mother of the school was installed dated September 30, 2022. Dr. Simeona Rechie C. Ojales, Principal III welcomed Mrs. Ellen P. Toldanes, Principal II as the new school head of Lemery Senior High School. As the new school year begins, which caters 3,573 learners from different municipalities (Lemery, Taal, Sta. Teresita, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Laurel, Mabini, San Luis, Alitagtag, and Calaca) the school proposed and implemented various projects and programs focusing on enhancing the reading skills, literacy and numeracy level of the learners, strengthening teachers competencies, and beautification of school surroundings which could be an avenue in bridging the learning gap among learners brought by pandemic. The vision of the new school head to meet the needs of the learners as well as to eradicate their learning gaps and served them with outmost sincerity and dedication following the DepEd core values Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa. Together hand in hand with the school teaching, non-teaching and other stakeholders’ cooperation, the school will continue to soar high and spearhead the culture of excellence.