Personal Formation
POLICIES
Allowance. You are discouraged from bringing more money than what you need for the day. Leave your extra allowance at home. Better still, put your savings in the bank.
Oratory Norms of Conduct
Piety has its good manners. We observe the following praxes to show our respect and veneration to Our Lord who deserves the best we can offer:
- When entering the oratory, always make the Sign of the Cross with holy water at the entrance. There is no need to make the Sign of the Cross when leaving.
- Before entering a pew, leaving it, or when you pass in front of the Blessed Sacrament (in the tabernacle), execute a proper genuflection which is done with the right knee touching the floor, the back should be straight like a soldier's.
- In making visits or in attending liturgical ceremonies (e.g., Mass, benediction, vigil, meditation), always be as neat and proper as possible. Do not go inside the oratory in rubber shoes, shorts, collarless shirts or unbuttoned shirts. Make sure your shoes are not dirty with mud or dust, especially at the soles.
- If the Blessed Sacrament is not present, whenever you cross the center aisle, bow before the altar.
- In order to go from a sitting position to a kneeling position, stand up first and then kneel down. The same procedure is followed in going from the kneeling position to the sitting position.
- When inside the oratory, never cross your legs, slouch, look around, joke, giggle, or talk unnecessarily. Whenever you have to speak, do it in a low voice or in a whisper. Silence should already be maintained as soon as you enter the ante-oratory.
- No one is allowed to enter the sacristy or to go up into the sanctuary area (where the altar is) except the server/s of the day
- Maintain the proper posture when standing up. Do not rest on the front pew or stand on one leg. Do not place your feet on the kneelers. Do not bang the oratory, ante-oratory or confessional doors.
- When the Blessed Sacrament is transferred from one oratory to the other, everyone should kneel along the corridors when Our Lord passes or c.rosses one's path. During the Corpus Christi procession, this procedure iS also followed. People along the trajectory of the Eucharistic entourage kneel down only when the Blessed Sacrament passes in front of them.
Southridge and Non-Catholic Students
Southridge is open to students of all religions, baptized or non-baptized, who wish to avail of the PAREF education. Their freedom of conscience is respected. They are not expected to participate in acts of worship which may be contrary to their conscience such as Masses, rosary, pilgrimages or benedictions. However, during these periods, they must use their time well by studying, for example.
They are expected to attend Religion classes and pass the subject as any other knowledge subject. This is so because knowledge of God and of the truths of Catholic doctrine is deemed an essential part of the PAREF education. They must also attend the meditations as this constitutes part of their formation in asceticism.
The spreading of materials containing ideas of a non-Catholic nature contravenes one of the basic reasons for the school's existence which IS the formation of students in the principles of Catholic doctrine.
Junior and Senior Prom
Students and parents may not organize a junior and senior prom and similar social activities. The developments of social graces and relationships with the opposite sex are clearly within the competence of the parents and are best handled within the family setting. A junior-senior prom and other similar social activities do not contribute to PAREF's objective of providing holistic personal formation to its students. While the activity may contribute to the development of some skills, social graces and a sense of responsibility in the students especially the organizers, these positive points can be achieved in other ways like membership in school organizations and clubs. Students are guided to organize social activities which will provide greater exposure to the needs of the larger society and foster generosity with their time and material resources.
The notable drawbacks of a junior-senior prom include peer pressure imposed on those students who are not yet ready to go on a formal one to-one date, unlike some others who may be more comfortable In their dealings with the opposite sex. Moreover, the prom results in disproportionately high expenditures for food, venue, apparel and other amenities. Students are also unduly distracted from their main responsibility, which is to study. Finally, after-prom activities which are harder to monitor and control pose possible moral dangers to those who are not accustomed to these activities. These drawbacks easily offset any advantage the activity may hold.
The school premises may not be used for any activity to support a junior-senior prom and other similar activities. Teachers, staff, and school officials may not take part in any of these.
Ordinary Concerns. Difficulties in your school work are best brought to the attention of the subject teacher concerned. Problems in your relations with your classmates and teachers are best brought to the attention of either your class adviser or, in the case of a teacher, his Department Head. Personal problems or matters that require involvement of your parents are best discussed with your tutor. When something or someone in school or at home keeps you from learning fully, do not hesitate to approach the people tasked to attend to your concerns. You do not have to wait for your next tutorial chat to bring up urgent matters.
School-wide Concerns. If your concerns affect or can benefit the whole module or even the whole school, do not hesitate to bring them up with your Principal or the school's Executive Director. You can either request for a conference or write a letter. Letters should always be signed. If you wish your identity withheld from other people, you can advise the officer concerned to do so. You may also seek the help of your own Class Council or the Student Council to intercede or liaise for you.
Calling Up Homes of the Faculty. Parents and students are requested not to call up nor visit the homes of school officers, teachers, or tutors. School-related matters are best taken up in school during office hours, either in person or by phone, and preferably with an appointment.
