Saint Theresa's College of Quezon City

History

Mother Marie Louise De Meester (born on April 8, 1857 in Roesalare, West Flanders, Belgium) and her novices arrived on the shores of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur on June 21, 1910. Tagudin became the foundation of the ICM missionary work throughout the Philippines which gave birth to institutions of learning in the country including the different campuses of St. Theresa's College. Mother Marie Louise De Meester founded St. Theresa's College Manila (STCM) in 1915 at the invitation of the Most Reverend Jeremiah James Harty, the first American Archbishop of Manila. When World War II wrought havoc on the St. Theresa's College in San Marcelino, Manila, leaving it in ruins, little hope was left for the rebuilding of its physical structure. While St. Theresa's College Manila was re-built, re-opened and continued to be run by the Belgian Sisters until 1980 (over a three-year phase out; STCM property was sold to Adamson University), steps were taken after WWII to look for a property which would be larger than the San Marcelino Compound in order to accommodate an ever-growing population of students.

In January 1946, a contract was signed for the purchase of a property consisting of five blocks, in Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. A rudimentary make-shift building used by the U.S. Army, which previously occupied the place, was utilized temporarily for the classrooms of St. Theresa's College, Quezon City, and for the quarters of the ICM sisters.

January 7, 1947, marked the establishment of STCQC. However, the school was officially opened in June 1947.

Institution

St. Theresa's College provides both academic, non-academic, and extra-curricular activities for their students' learning.

Grade School Department

The STC QC Grade School is an elementary school for girls. It has facilities and classrooms for students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Practicum

The practicum emphasizes experience-based learning. Theories are learned and applied to practical situations or vice versa, through observation, practice, workshops, team research, media demonstrations and educational trips.

Co-curricular activities

Students interested in Sciences, Arts and Writing are invited to join an organization for enthusiasts, called SINAG. In this organization, the students' talents and skills in a particular field are cultivated and developed. SINAG (or Socialized Instructional Activities for the Advanced Group) in Science, Mathematics, Performing Arts, and Creative-Writing helps students enhance their potentials in various subjects.

High School Department

The High School Department is a Catholic college-preparatory school for female students. The campus features a library, the Instructional Media Center, Biology laboratory, Chemistry laboratory, Physics laboratory, computer laboratories, High School Chapel, cooking rooms, sewing room, canteen and cafeteria, clinic and the covered court.

Seal

On a field of gold and blue are imposed the cross and three stars. The blue stands for faithful courage, and the gold proclaims jubilant victory - always - through love. The Latin cross within the seal stands for the victory with Christ over evil. The gold of the cross stands for the love for Christ who died on it and rose from the dead. The three stars stand for the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.

The inscription around the seal reads Virtute, Scientia, Artibus Floreat - which is Latin for "education in and through virtue, science, and the arts."

The seal is a badge showing the mountain peak of Carmel, linked with the school's patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila, the first woman doctor of the Church.

College Hymn

The lyrics of the College Hymn was written by Aurea Carballo-Gonzalez (STCM HS '31, COL '34) while music was composed by Angeles Rodriguez (STCM HS '26, COL '33).

Family Council

The Family Council is the official organization of the parents of the students of St. Theresa’s College. They are the ones that organize the annual STC Family Day. The Family council celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 2011

Sambayan Educational Foundation, Inc.

The Sambayan Educational Foundation, Inc. or SEFI was organized in 1972 by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) and a group of STCQC parents and alumnae which called forth the school to make available the educational program to deserving families from the lower-middle-income group by way of socialized tuition fee. Its main objective is to make available quality education for less privileged but deserving students.

The SEFI program is not a scholarship program. It is a reduced tuition fee scheme for twelve years of schooling from Grade 1 until Grade 12 for qualified lower-middle-income groups. It is perhaps the only such program in existence in the Philippines today. Applicants have to pass a rigorous set of criteria as well as entrance exams to qualify. Once a student has been accepted into the program, a social worker regularly monitors her progress and checks on the family environment.

The initial seed money was provided by the ICM congregation. STCQC parents, alumnae and friends have made substantial contributions to the fund through the years.

==Notable alumni== from Manila or from Quezon City