With the burning desire to spread the Gospel, Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) founded an educational institution named Notre Dame of Banga in 1952. The institution started as an Oblate school and is situated at the heart of the Municipality of Banga, Province of South Cotabato. Challenged by the great task of being “Fishers of Men”, Bishop Gerald Mongeau OMI, then the Bishop of Cotabato proposed
to the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries (ARM) at Colegio de Sta. Rita, Manila to take over the administration of the school on 1955. After a thorough study of the proposal, the sisters accepted it on May 11, 1965. Inspired and moved by the Spirit of their foundresses, Mo. Dionesia Talangpaz and Mo. Cecilia Rosa Talangpas, three sisters assumed the management of the school headed by Rev. Mother Mary Bernard Matanguihan, AR. It was on the first year of the sisters’ administration that the Bureau of Private Schools issued the Government Recognition No. 270 s. 1956 which started with first and second year levels until it was completed years after. The dedication and noble apostolate of the AR Sisters were felt and witnessed by the community. From then on, the enrolment increased steadily. To meet the demands of increasing enrolment, more classrooms and facilities were constructed. The Sisters’ convent and chapel were built too. Equipped with oneness of heart and mind, several AR Sisters were commissioned to administer the school. Notre Dame of Banga journeyed with the support of Banga parishioners especially Rev. Father Betelsman and the Segovia family. It was in the 9th year administration of Sister Aurelia Cagang, AR (1986-1995), the ownership of the school was transferred to the Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. The school’s facilities were greatly improved...the construction of the administrative building (a joint project of the PATAS and the school), the gymnasium, conference/audio-visual room, guidance office, information center, the bleachers and canteen were just some of them. The centralized student council named The Augustinian Recollect Student Crusaders (ARSC) was organized in the later years of her administration. The pre-school and complete elementary school were created and received the Government Recognition No. 003 s. 1992. The Alumni Association was organized and the office of the Prefect of Discipline was created during the administration of Sister Marcelina Diaz, AR. The acquisition of the fully-air conditioned computer room was materialized. These years showed the gradual decrease of enlrolment due to the sporadic evolution of public schools in nearby barangays. It was in School Year 2001-2002, that the Golden Jubille Celebration was launched with Sister Alma Alaras, AR as principal. The celebration was extra ordinary. Support and cooperation of parents, alumni,faculty/staff and students were excellent. The following year, with the energetic two-timed principal Sister Ma. Goretti Cui, AR, the celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the great Notre Dame of Banga made history. That was the year full of thanksgiving, joy , hope and jubilations. A good number of AR sisters, especially those who are residents of this place and with the energetic two-timed Principal Sister Ma. The school happily and successfully hosted big local and national events in athletics, academics, socio-cultural and Press conferences. The school made outstanding performances in national examinations. The DepEd/Fape certification team gave an empressive evaluation on the school was granted a Re-Certification Status and was given a good number of slots in the ESC, the government subsidy on tuition fee for students. The school is experiencing challenges...enrolment dropped. Sister Marilyn B. Gustilo, AR, a resident of this municipality was commissioned to head the school administration board, SY 2006-2007. Guided by St. Augustine’s philosophy of education, and Vision-Mission of the School, academics and spirituality were given top priorities. More improvements and acquisitions poured such as fully air conditioned Speech laboratory (thanks to the Balbin family and the Alumni), and the dining hall fronting the canteen were constructed. The tiling of the classrooms was completed. Summer classes/clinics on academics, sports and music were offered. With God’s grace, the enrolment increase steadily. School year 2011-2012, the 60th anniversary of the great Notre Dame of Banga with the Theme: NDB soars high at 60 was launched. The year 2012-2013 marks the 60th Founding Anniversary of Notre Dame of Banga with the Theme: NDB Soars High at 60. The celebration started with a torch parade participated by students teachers, AR sisters, parents and alumni. The opening program was highlighted by the lighting of the Jubilee urn by Sr. Noemi Mapa, AR with Sr. Crisanta Armendez, AR, the school Principal. It was followed by the releasing of the hot air lanterns. The events moved smoothly as planned; Thanksgiving mass presided by His Excellency Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD, field demonstration, Drum and Lyre Corps exhibition, Tribute Night, Coronation Pageant for Mr./Miss Diamond Jubilee and the Alumni Homecoming sponsored by Batch 87 made the celebration worth remembering. School year 2014-2015 is the second year of the implementing of the K to 12 Curriculum, the first batch is now in grade 8. Aside from making the alignment of the new DepEd Curriculum with that of the school’s vision-mission, physical facilities are improved. Renovation of the comfort rooms, the beautification of the new wellness garden and the air conditioning of the kindergarten room are just some of the few. in preparation of the hosting of the 2014 AVA Athletic Meet, where 9 private schools participated, the reconstruction of the basketball court was done. The wooden window louvers were replaced by metal grill. A slight decrease in the enrolment was noted. With the concerted efforts of the teachers, staff and administration headed by Sr. Crisanta A. Armendez, AR, the school prepared for the ESC Re-Certification Visit. A Planning was made to Re-visit the 5-year development plan in Davao City and Samal Island. The PATAS had supported the school’s improvement project and activities. The Alumni homecoming was sponsored by Batch 88.
