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Opening and Blessing Ceremony at Monsignor Uyen Catholic School

Community Updates

An opening and blessing ceremony was held at Monsignor Uyen Catholic School in Chatham recently to mark the official opening of the newly refurbished school.

Monsignor Uyen Catholic Schools' new atrium foyer
Monsignor Uyen Catholic Schools’ new atrium foyer

The ceremony, held in the school’s new atrium foyer, was led by Fr. John Jasica of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes. The beautiful and inspirational music was led by Ms. Tina Pumfrey. 

Grade 8 students from the school attended the event in the foyer.  However, due to COVID gathering restrictions, the ceremony was live-streamed to the rest of the school.  The blessing ceremony included participation from Grade 8 students, Principal Americo Todino, Trustee David Argenti, Director of Education Deb Crawford and Superintendent of Education Laura Callaghan.

The ceremony was led by Fr. John Jasica of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes
The ceremony was led by Fr. John Jasica of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes

The new home of French Immersion in Chatham, Monsignor Uyen Catholic School opened at the Baldoon Road site on September 7, after extensive renovations and upgrades.  The $4.9 million project, which was funded through the Board’s annual School Condition Improvement allocation included:

  • A new main entrance and canopy with an atrium and main office and conference room renovations;
  • A learning commons renovation and introduction of pod-style learning in the south corridor;
  • Relocation of the staff room and teacher work room;
  • An enlarged gymnasium with a drop down stage, new athletic flooring and new change rooms;
  • A refresh of existing classrooms, with a complete replacement of flooring, new paint, new millwork, new tack boards and whiteboards, new classroom doors and window blinds;
  • New hallway flooring throughout;
  • New asphalt on the playground;
  • Technology upgrades including – Epson interactive projectors in all classrooms; Chromebooks and device storage units in all classrooms; 86 inch interactive display panel mounted in the Collaborative Learning space; new audio/video system in the gym, which includes a large format projectors for presentations or digital scenery during theatrical events;
  • An outdoor classroom.

Students participate in a tribute to Monsignor John Uyen
Students participate in a tribute to Monsignor John Uyen

During the ceremony, there was also a tribute to Monsignor John Uyen for whom the school was named.  Monsignor Uyen came to Canada from Holland in 1913 and served as a priest in Chatham and Wallaceburg. The school was named for him because of his extensive contributions to education.