It was exactly December 13, 2948 when four La Salette Missionaries from France-American Provinces arrived in the Philippines in response to the plea made by Bishop Jurgens of Tuguegarao. The Diocese was then badly in need of religious communities to attend to the spiritual welfare of the growing populace. From Manila, the La Salette Fathers decided to set their base in San Mateo, Isabela where the
y were warmly received by the people. For a while, they stayed in the house of the late Dr. & Mrs. After a serious and prayerful reflection, the La Salette Fathers were convinced that putting up a school would hasten the spread of Mary’s vision. Thus in 1949, they founded a school for first and second year students. The school was named Fatima High School. Its first Director was Fr. Paul Doullard and the Principal was Mr. Hammond of Tumauini. After a year, the school was renamed La Salette High School to identify it with the La Salette Community. Development came soon as the years went by. The municipal building and other public offices were built at the junction about two kilometers away from the school to give room for expansion. People started moving into the area giving rise to what we now call the Poblacion. To fully cater to the educational needs of the people, the La Salette Fathers also transferred the school to its present site, on a piece of land donated by the late Don Mateo Cadelina, founder and ex-mayor of San Mateo. Third and fourth year classes were added for the school year 1950-51. There were twenty graduates at the end of the school year. From a single section of about 30-40 students per curriculum year, the school expanded yearly and in 1961 there were two sections totaling about a hundred graduates to complete high school. In 1966, the graduates numbered more or less a hundred and forty five. The lower classes grew as big as the higher classes. Stressing the need to actively involve parents in the education of their children, the Home and School Association was organized and strengthened through the years. Also a Local School Board was formed to plan and supervise the implementation of the school’s year to year operation and thrust. Since 1951, there have been a total of 48 graduation ceremonies and bout 10,000 graduates. Some have become teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, farmers, mechanics, businessmen, pilots, accountants, pharmacists, artist, politicians, drivers and plain housewives. Some have gone broad to seek greener pastures. A few answered God’s calling. The sons and daughters of La Salette graduates have passed on like their sons and daughters after them. Generation after generation, the charisma of La Salette – Reconciliation: The Grace called La Salette lives in every heart of a Salettinian. THIS DESCRIPTION IS FROM: http://www.freewebs.com/lasalette/
