The speech that follows was delivered by the HS Principal, Mrs. Jane Cacacho during the first general assembly at the high school gym last June 12, 2008.

Good morning.

I shall begin my speech today by talking about endings. In Xavier School, program endings, activity endings, school year endings usually mean evaluation forms and processing of what has happened. This evaluation about how things went is actually a very Ignatian feature whereby we reflect about how effective and meaningful the designed experiences have been in bringing out the objectives we wanted to achieve and the values we wanted to instill. Moreover, the evaluation usually results in changes for the improvement of what we have observed as areas in need of development. This, once again, is in line with the spirit of the magis – another Jesuit ideal that exhorts us to constantly strive to do more and better.

In line with this, I would like to inform you about certain changes we have done in the school structure as a result of listening to your feedback and going over your evaluation.

First, the classrooms. After a year of experimentation and consultation with the seniors, you are now all enjoying air-conditioned comfortable classrooms and most of you are using the improved version of the tables and chairs. Lockers have also been provided for your convenience. Note that these improvements were not done just to keep up with a recent fad nor were the designs based on the whims of a consultant. The improvements are the result of a series of meetings with students and student leaders.

Second, we have looked into the experiences of the students and teachers holding their classes in the computer labs. In fact, we interviewed a number among you and your teachers, and we have discovered that despite some areas for improvement, there is a lot of promise in continuing the effort of the 1-to-1 computer-based instruction. Again, as a response to your feedback and upon careful study, we have invested resources along this area. We have purchased more units for this purpose and have assigned people just to make sure this project helps more students learn.

Third, we heard your comments about the long tiring hours in the afternoon for Reading enhancement and Statistics class; so to make sure you learn effectively under better circumstances, we reviewed our X-Elect offerings and made adjustments in the schedule and course offerings in consideration of your learning style and needs.

Fourth, we got a lot of positive feedback about the H3 Xavier China Experience in Beijing last year that we decided to offer 3 instead of one overseas trip within the school year to enrich your education and broaden your perspective in life. H2 students will have a chance to apply to go to Singapore for a Science course, the H3 to Shanghai for an entrepreneurial course and the H4 will get the chance to spend their 3^rd quarter in Beijing. The usual summer language course in Beijing is also still available to all students who complete the school year successfully.

Finally, I would like to announce that the X-Speak organized by the Stallion surfaced a number of concerns, among them the bringing of cellphones, the haircut policy, the scheduling of requirements and quizzes, qualifications for annual awards, etc. Though you may not be getting what you want – NO, at this point we are still not allowing cellphones in school nor are we allowing you to sport long hair – one thing I can definitely say is that we, the school administration, discussed the issues you raised very thoroughly. In fact, some of you were consulted repeatedly regarding these matters, and we were very impressed at the level of maturity you displayed during the meetings.

What am I trying to drive at with these examples of changes and the assurance of discussions?

First, we hear you and we listen to you. We value your input and your suggestions and act on them when appropriate. However, note that acting on your requests is not an automatic stimulus-response mechanism. We consider all that has been said and then make decisions that take into consideration the bigger picture, the greater majority and the thrusts of Xavier School.

This brings me to my second point, just as we have illustrated how we listen and value your ideas and thoughts, we ask that you trust the school – trust that everything we decide, the structures we put up, the policies we draft, the practices we implement – are all done with your education and best interest in mind. And this is one reason why we listen to you, because we realize that you are old enough and usually mature enough to know what works best for you.

Given this, I go to my third point and most important point. We expect and demand your full cooperation in the observance of the rules and policies of the school. The new classrooms you enjoy now bring with them a new set of rules on how to care for school property. The upgraded computer labs and extra computer units carry with them guidelines on how to best use them. The expanded overseas programs require certain academic cut-offs for students to qualify for participation. Of course, a parallel set of sanctions accompanies corresponding offenses to the rules and policies.

At this point, I ask myself:

Dare I hope that you will take responsible care of your classroom, your media projector and computer, your tables and chairs, your lockers, not because you’re ordered to do so, but because you love the school and appreciate these new things as gifts in response to your requests.

Dare I wish that you will strive for good grades and personally declare 85 to be your new 75 not because a status awaits but because you are actively looking forward to being part of the school’s special programs?

Dare I picture Xavier School as a totally bully-free school not just because its student body has been warned repeatedly of exclusion but because the students have real concern and respect for their schoolmates?

Dare I look forward to the day when majority of Xaverians will see value in their schoolwork, appreciate learning for its own sake and thus shun cheating in all its forms?

Such a lot of daring thoughts … and I am not usually much of a risk taker in serious matters, but in this case, I dare to hope, to wish, to picture and to look forward to the day when Xaverians will give back to the school. This is the day when Xaverians will render the Student Handbook useless because their actions will not be governed by do’s and don’ts but fueled by I should’s and I should not’s. I find that I am brave enough to dare because I believe in all of you.

I started my speech talking about endings. I now end my speech with a question to shape the beginning of your school year: Do you dare make a positive difference in Xavier School? Luceat Lux!