Ursuline College Chatham (UCC) was alive with energy on the evening of January 30th as approximately 500 families—approximately 900 people in total—packed the theatre and gymnasium for the Grade 8 Open House. This was UCC’s largest open house to date, and the overwhelming turnout highlighted the strong interest in becoming a Lancer for the 2025-2026 school year.
The evening kicked off with a high-energy performance by UCC’s talented theatrical team, which offered a sneak peek at their upcoming production of The Descendants. School chaplain Margaret Palmer then led a welcoming prayer before Principal Lisa Harnarine greeted future Lancers and their families. She introduced the dedicated UCC staff and enthusiastic Lancer Link leaders who would help guide students through their high school journey.
“This is truly one of the best nights of the year! Seeing so many excited faces and feeling the energy in the building is incredible,” said principal Lisa Harnarine. “Our school is more than a place to learn—it’s a family, and we can’t wait for these incredible students to become part of it.”
Following the presentation, the crowd set off on guided tours led by teachers and Lancer Link leaders. Along the way, the irresistible smell of fresh-baked cookies drew them to the foods and nutrition class, where 500 treats vanished before the night was even halfway over—a sweet sign of the massive turnout.
Each group visited dynamic demonstrations from departments including English, mathematics, skilled trades, foods and nutrition, Canada and world studies, religion, and more. In UCC’s second gymnasium, families explored booths showcasing specialized programs like eLearning, OYAP, and Travel for Credit. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect directly with teachers and peers, purchase uniforms, and even complete their registration.
“The Open House was a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything UCC has to offer,” said Superintendent of Education, Chris Kehoe. “From the enthusiasm of the staff to the wide range of academic and extracurricular programs, it’s clear why so many families are excited to be part of our UCC community.”
UCC provides a future-ready education for its nearly 1,350 students, supported by a dedicated team of over 80 teachers offering nearly 200 course options. As the only Catholic secondary school in Chatham-Kent, UCC is uniquely equipped to guide students along their individual pathways to success. The school’s state-of-the-art facilities—including modernized learning hubs, a triple gym, a 500+ seat theatre, a commercial-grade hospitality kitchen, an active greenhouse, specialized science labs, and purpose-built studios for music, arts, drama, and dance—are designed to nurture academic achievement, creativity, and personal growth.
The success of the Grade 8 Open House underscores UCC’s reputation as a top-choice high school in Chatham-Kent, and the school community is already looking forward to welcoming the next generation of Lancers in September!
