| Grade School Department

VISION

Saint Mary’s University Grade School is envisioned as a cradle of excellent basic education transforming pupils to be excellent and innovative, who have genuine passion for Christ’s mission.

MISSION

Saint Mary’s University Grade School is committed to develop in pupils the basic knowledge, skills, habits, attitudes and values necessary to prepare them for secondary education and to make them efficient and intelligent citizen in a democratic society, instilled with Gospel values.

School Description/ History

Nestled in an ideally wholesome environment accessible to most forms of land transportation, Saint Mary’s University Grade School (SMUGS) has been considered as one of the familiar landmarks not only in the town of Bayombong but also in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.

SMUGS is the cradle of Saint Mary’s University as it started as a grade school in 1928.It has metamorphosed from a very simple bamboo and cogonal structure used as elementary classrooms.

Saint Mary’s University traces its roots back to the dream and initiative of the late Msgr. Constant Jurgens, CICM, then Parish Priest of Bayombong and one of the earliest CICM missionaries to arrive in the Philippines. He wanted to establish a school to give the children of his parishioners the benefit of a Christian education. He purchased a lot and some materials for this purpose, but then, he was recalled to Europe, thus, it was his successor, Rev. Fr. Achilles de Gryse, CICM, who saw his dream through. While Msgr. Constant Jurgens was in Europe, he was drawn to the mission exhibits of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Mother of God. He requested for a number of Dutch Sisters from Veghel, Netherlands to come to the Philippines and be his partners of his dream. These Dutch Sisters, Mother Chantal Tummers, Sister Catharina Hendrickx, Sister Alphonsa Jacobs, Sister Margaretha Hermus and Sister Bertholda Bos arrived in Bayombong to run the parochial school. This marked the beginning of Catholic Education in Nueva Vizcaya.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES

To provide a high standard of academic training to enable every pupil to develop his intellectual abilities to the highest degree;
To help pupils attain self-realization and contribute to the welfare of the community;
To inculcate self-discipline and love for work;
To further foster healthy living in a wholesome environment so as to become physically strong and mentally fit by fostering sound mental health through
observance of balanced work, play, and study activities, encouraging practice
of health rules for a sound mental body and developing habits that will preserve and protect the environment; and
To cultivate in the pupils a deep knowledge of their Catholic faith to enable them to love God, their family, fellowmen and country and to make a better society through the formation of Christian attitudes and values and through a learner-centered and life- oriented curriculum, evoking from the pupils a positive response.

SIGNIFICANT DATES

1907

Arrival of CICM Priest in the Philippines.
1928

Saint Mary’s School was established.
1967

The CICM Congregation took over the management and ownership of the school from the Parish.
1978

50th founding anniversary of Saint Mary’s College (elementary)
1984

Dr. Leopoldo Felix G. Saquing was appointed as Grade School Principal, the first lay person to occupy the position.
1994

SMU celebrated its 50th founding anniversary.
1995

Saint Mary’s College was elevated to University Status with Rev. Fr. John Van Bauwel, CICM, as the First University President.
1998

Rev. Jessie M. Hechanova, CICM, was installed as SMU’s Second University President.
1999

SMU Elementary Central and Training Department were merged.
2000

SMU Grade School opened Nursery with 67 pupil enrollees.
2003

SMU celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.
2005

Rev. Manuel D. Valencia, CICM, was installed as the Third University President on August 27, 2005.
2007

1st CICM School Friendship Meet was held in SMU in November 19-21, 2007. Grade School pupils competed in sports, cultural, and academic events.
2008

SMU Grade School completed the Preschool Department: Nursery, Kindergarten, and Preparatory.
2009

Dr. Samuel R. Soliven was appointed principal after Dr. Leopoldo Felix Saquing retired. Dr. Macrino A. Raymundo, was appointed Assistant Principal.
2010

Dr. Macrino A. Raymundo was appointed as Preschool & Grade School principal.
2013

Dr. Ma. Cristeta M. Aduca was appointed as Officer-in-charge, Preschool and Grade School.
2014

Dr. Ma. Cristeta M. Aduca was appointed Principal, Pre-school and Grade School. SMU Grade School renamed the levels in the Pre-school Department as: Nursery, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten to align them to the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

LEARNING AREAS AT SMU GRADE SCHOOL

PRESCHOOL (Nursery, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten)

Science
Numeracy
Literacy
Filipino
Christian Faith Education (CFE)

GRADE SCHOOL (Primary: Grade 1-3)

Araling Panlipunan (AP)
Christian Faith Education (CFE)
Computer
Filipino
Language
Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH)
Mathematics
Reading
Robotics
Science

GRADE SCHOOL (Intermediate: Grade 4-6)

Araling Panlipunan (AP)
Christian Faith Education (CFE)
Computer
English
Filipino
Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH)
Mathematics
Robotics
Science
Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE)

LIST OF PERSONNEL/FACULTY

Acojido, Clinton James
Aduca, Cristeta
Alaman, Jennifer
Allas, Imeda Cecilla
Ayawan, Marie Flor
Balawa, Joy
Bautista, Naomi Frances
Bennet, Charmaine
Bernardo, Janice Jacinta
Bibas, Gemmalyn
Bugaling, Eva Rose
Burgos, Louie
Cadano, Susana
Cajimat, Lilibeth
Calpito, Ma. Socorro
Castro, Sr. Anna Carmina
Cuario, Reymark
Dacles, Delano Rod

Duenas, Myla
Elona, Maila
Jubay, Renz Gabriel
Labog, Tala Angelika
Laplano, Ailyn
Limon, Loida
Lucas, Edmark
Navarrete, Caroline
Paned, Rosemarie
Parong, Ma. Stephanie
Peralta, Rose Ann
Ramos, Wendell Lordwyn
Salazar, Alma
Soliven, Bryant
Taboy, Ma. Reggie
Taguinod, Maria Vergilia
Ubando, Venalyn
Villanueva, Jovita
Zafra, Neysa Fel