October 2026

Newsletter

We are so excited to welcome our new Grade 9 class to UMEI! This year's class consists of 23 students from 8 different elementary schools and 13 different churches, and brings our total enrolment to 72 students. We are grateful for the gifts and energy each student brings to the UMEI Community!

We began the year with our all-school chapel retreat, held outdoors at the UMEI campus. It was a beautiful day of worship, connection, and fun. Our worship band led us in singing, and Mrs. Tina Avila and Mr. Zach Howell led chapel activities centred on our theme verse, 1 Corinthians 3:11: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

In the afternoon, the Grade 12s led the Grade 9s through welcoming activities that included rolling in flour and a huge slip and slide! The rest of the school then was invited to join in the activities - a new tradition that really brings the entire student body together.

Thank you to the parents for the delicious food, and to all staff for providing leadership on this amazing day!

On October 1, our UMEI community gathered to launch From Foundation to Future, a campaign that honours our Christ-centred foundation and prepares our school for the next generation. Thank you to the approximately 150 people who joined us and to the donors whose generosity is helping bring this vision to life.

Missed the evening? Watch the full program, including our campaign video, choir performance, and messages from school leaders and donors, or enjoy the photo gallery below.

We look forward to sharing more about the campaign plans after this autumn’s appeal. Right now, our annual Autumn Campaign is an essential focus, supporting the teachers, programs, and daily experiences that make UMEI what it is. If you regularly give to the Autumn Campaign, we encourage you to continue that support. Gifts to From Foundation to Future are invited above and beyond your regular giving.

Lindi Osborne, Mayor Hilda Macdonald, Rachel Renwick, Joanna Dawson, and 
Mary Krueger share conversation at the Oct 1 event.

School Events Update

UMEI's first student party of the year was Campire Night! Hunter Cornies led the school in fun games and songs, and Josh Krahn and Sawyer Ecker led some acoustic worship around the fire. Click the photo to see a reel.

The Rocket Launch returned! Eight students in Mr. Froese's Grade 11 Physics class launched their rockets, with the mentorship of Mr. Fittler. It was a fun and beautiful afternoon! Click the photo to see a reel.

UMEI students were invited to participate in the Orange Shirt Day walk with our local Caldwell First Nation. This walk honours residential school survivors and remembers the children who never returned home.

The annual Fall Fish Fry was a massive success, welcoming approximately 400 people and raising almost $18,000 for Christian education! Thank you to our caterer, Tina Hiebert, and our meal coordinator, Justina Wieler!

Robotics Mini is a 2-hour camp for students in Grade 1-3! Led by UMEI students, the kids explore robotics, coding, STEM, and have a lot of fun. Thanks for joining us, kids! Click the photo for a reel!

Service Project Day continues to be a strong tradition at UMEI, where students serve for the day at local community organizations. Here, Grade 10 students Evan and Gavin help out gardening at Erie Shores Hospice.

Lightning Athletics are on fire! Senior Boys Volleyball is third in Tier 2, Junior Boys Volleyball is 3-3, and Senior Girls Basketball is 4-1! Click on the photo for a volleyball reel. Go Lightning!

Thanksgiving Chapel was a rich time of worshipping God, giving thanks, and sharing testimony. Click on the photo for a video of Gr 9 Khloe sharing why she is grateful she chose UMEI.

Community News & Events

Thank you 2026-27 corporate sponsors! We want a UMEI Christian education to be accessible for any family who desires it - so, in order to keep tuition as affordable as possible, we rely on the community to support. Thank you for choosing to support UMEI.

Our students thank you for making a difference in their lives so they can go out and make a difference in the world!

UMEI Christian High School | 519-326-7448 | office@umei.ca | www.umei.ca