Moshi Campus News – 22 Aug 2026

Everyone is learning at UWC. Friday our teachers from both campuses were involved in one of three workshops looking at peace building, pastoral care and concept-based instruction. Training for some teachers continued into today with a focus on pastoral support. In a few weeks our coaches will be having additional training in sports specific first aid.

With Outdoor Pursuits happening, the Activities Fair and clubs sign up it seems we are well into the new year. You will also start to see items like the KMC presentations, Market Days, Blood Drive and other items showing up on the community calendar. This is one way we can help you see what is happening on campus.

Last weekend we took the D1 students from both campuses on the first OP trip experience, and you can see some pictures below. The students really enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with their cohort from the other campus. Starting today there is a similar event for younger students on Moshi campus so they can learn about the OP program.

Thank you to those PYP parents that joined us on Thursday evening, it was a great opportunity for you to learn more about your child’s class this year. For the broader community of parents, we will be having both an in person and virtual “coffee morning” coming soon. We will email out the specific details.

Please note that Tuesday is the official national holiday of Maulid and so we will not have classes that day. We will have classes on Monday.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

The word “Ujafamily” comes from the Swahili word Ujamaa, meaning “family-hood”. It is a big part of the UWC movement and connections made between students and Ujafamilies sometimes last for a lifetime. An Ujafamily is a family in the local community who can provide “a sense of home” for students who are away from home. The way it works varies from family to family but might be a shared meal at home, going out for a coffee, meeting up on campus for a chat, or, in some cases, a day trip or excursion. The most important thing, however, is that students have the opportunity to interact with members of the wider community and benefit from time spent away from the demands of academic life.

Please complete this form by Thursday, August 27, 2026 by 21:00 EAT.

There is some information about expectations here.

Our first event will be Tuesday, September 15. Please direct any questions to Liz Elger via email at ujaprogram@uwcea.org.

Dimitrios (DP2) is this year’s Greek winner of the Young Courage Award, an international award commemorating the humanitarian deeds and moral courage of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg during the final years of WWII.

Dimitrios was recognised for ReSeed, a drone-based reforestation system he co-developed in response to devastating wildfires near his home in Greece. He demonstrates that moral courage can come from young people who refuse to accept that meaningful change is impossible.

Next week, Dimitrios will travel to Sweden to participate in workshops and represent Greece at the official award ceremony. His ingenuity, integrity and unwavering commitment to environmental recovery make him a highly deserving recipient of the Young Courage Award 2026.

The hash club is a space for students in our school to get out into nature, practice orientation skills and explore the wilds of Moshi, as well as to meet and engage with many members of the wider community. For nature enthusiasts, hash runs can grant you the opportunity to see some wildlife around Moshi. Due to our school’s longtime engagement with the hash club, UWCEA students can attend hash runs free of charge.

This past weekend, the 606th Kilimanjaro Dirt Road Hash was held in Namalok Nature Reserve near TPC. A number of students and community members gathered in the reserve to undertake a 6km trek through the savannah, coming wonderfully close to wildebeest and baboons, as well as a herd of zebras and their foals which crossed the path between the main group of hashers and some stragglers at one stage. Special thanks to Judith for setting this hash, it was truly a spectacular occasion.

On August 30th, our school will help to set a history hash through downtown Moshi, covering such sights as Gilman’s Grave in the War Cemetery, the gallows, the Orthodox Church, the old buildings of Mawenzi hospital and the Moshi freemason temple. This hash will look decidedly more urban than usual but will provide a fabulous opportunity for new and returning students to learn more about the history of the town they call home and become initiated in the joys of the hash.

Hope to see many of you there. On-on!
-Cara and the UWCEA hash club

A few Saturdays ago, eight UWC East Africa Diploma students attended the Tanzanian Math Olympiad (TAMO) for the first time in UWCEA’s history. TAMO is the foremost national competition for mathematics and is part of the selection process for the team that will represent Tanzania at the International Math Olympiad 2027. The competition was held in 16 regions as well as in Zanzibar making it the biggest year in the event’s history, our students took the exam out of Moshi Technical Secondary School along with about a hundred other students from the Kilimanjaro region. We hope to have larger participation in the exam held in January and best wishes for the result of the competition. Many thanks to Mr. Agrey (head coach of Tanzanian math team) for facilitating our participation in the event.

The Math team hopes to be able to participate in many more similar competitions throughout the course of the year.

Joshua (D1)

Our teachers are always learning, too!

On Friday this week, students had no classes to give teachers time for training.

I attended a workshop led by Ms Farah on concept based learning – an approach that helps students move beyond simply remembering facts to understanding the big ideas that connect their learning across subjects and into the real world. We’re continually developing our teaching so that students don’t just know what they are learning, but understand why it matters and how they can use it.

We had our service fair on Wednesday where students learnt about service opportunities here on Moshi campus. Our service program kickstarts this Wednesday. Mr Baden reminded us all that service is about giving our time, ours talents and our treasure – which at UWCEA means bringing a good attitude! DP students are involved in service every Wednesday from 3.15 to 4.30.  

The D1s should be settling into their subject choices. Subject changes now require a form and application.

The D2s have their draft EE due this week Friday. Those who miss the deadline must attend lock-down on Saturday between 9am and 10pm to finish their drafts.

This week is another short week with Tuesday declared a public holiday.

Catherine Dowie – Head of Diploma

It is slightly hard to believe that we have only just started… somehow it already feels as though we have packed several weeks into one! Between new classes, new routines, new faces, lockers, activities, questions, forgotten schedules, found schedules and everything else that comes with the beginning of a school year, the MYP is very much up and running.

There is already plenty happening in and beyond our classrooms, and it has been lovely to see students settling in, finding their people, asking questions, trying new things and getting back into the rhythm of learning. And with that, the students have definitely earned their first longer weekend! Enjoy the extra time, rest, recharge and do absolutely nothing productive for at least a little while.

We’ll see everyone next week (also a shorter one!), ready to do it all over again!

M1s are Officially Middle Schoolers!
Our M1s have officially stepped into their new roles as Middle School students — and they are taking it very seriously! There may still be moments when they can be spotted following Mr. Riley around like a very enthusiastic line of ducklings, but each day they are becoming a little more independent. They have been finding their way between classes, meeting new teachers, signing up for lockers, keeping track of schedules and belongings, and discovering that MYP comes with a whole new level of responsibility. It has been wonderful to watch them begin to find their feet, ask questions, help one another and embrace their growing independence. From remembering where they are supposed to be to figuring out what on earth they are supposed to bring with them, they are learning that MYP is about much more than moving up a grade.

The ducklings are finding their wings and Mr. Riley and all their teachers are nearby for support!

M4 Visual Arts
This week, M4 Visual Arts students began an inquiry into the bold and colourful world of Pop Art. Students explored how artists take images, objects and ideas from everyday life and transform them into works that make us look again at the familiar.

Through investigating Pop Art, students are beginning to consider questions around popular culture, consumerism, identity and communication, while examining how choices in colour, repetition, scale, composition and imagery can create meaning.

The inquiry challenges students to move beyond simply asking, “What do I see?” and begin asking, “Why did the artist choose to show it this way, and what might they be trying to say?”

As the unit develops, students will use these ideas to inform their own creative thinking and artistic choices… and that’s how we learn to look beyond the ordinary!

M5 Language and Literature English
This week, M5s began exploring a deceptively simple question: How do writers construct meaning? Students are looking beyond what a text says to consider how and why it says it. Through short texts and close-reading activities, they are beginning to examine how writers make deliberate choices with language, structure, imagery, tone and perspective and how those choices shape the way an audience thinks, feels and responds.

As we move forward, students will consider an even bigger idea: writing does not simply communicate meaning; it can influence perspectives, challenge assumptions and give voice to ideas that matter. For now, we are keeping where this inquiry will take us under wraps… but M5 has started asking exactly the right questions.

M2 Integrated Sciences
Our MYP 2 Science students stepped back in time and explored how early humans measured distances before standard units were developed. Using parts of their own bodies, such as footsteps and arm lengths, they measured a long distance around the school. The activity helped students understand the importance of standard units, while making measurement fun, practical, and memorable.

MYP Dates to Remember

• August 22nd to 23rd – M1 to M3 Campcraft
• August 25th – Maulid Holiday
• August 27th – MYP High School Musical Auditions (4:00-5:15 pm)
• October 7th – Last Day of Q1 After School
• October 8th to 18th – October Break (Inclusive)
• October 19th – First Day of Q2

Have a beautiful week ahead!
Farah Fawaz – Head of MYP

Along with some of the other work on campus, K-Hall has had a face lift, or more accurately a floor lift. The floor has been stripped, sanded, relined and will have a new poly acrylic sports layer that is designed for long lasting use. The picture to the side is of the work in progress and we expect the hall to reopen by the middle of this week.

Our outdoor pitches are also looking good with the time off from use and are ready for the start of the new year.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Meet the Teacher evening on Thursday. I hope you found the experience informative and enjoyed catching up with fellow parents and learning about the year ahead from the PYP teachers.

By the time you read this, hopefully everyone has managed to sign their child/children up for after school clubs. The sign up is now closed. If you missed the deadline, please email me on deborahmills@uwcea.org. Clubs will start on Monday, 24th August.

Saturday football for P3 – 6 children takes place on the pitch 9:30 – 11:00am with Coach T.

Details of private music lessons for drums (P3+) with Mr. Evance and guitar, piano and ukulele (all P1+) with Mr. Swai have been shared by email. Lessons cost 30,000 Tshillings per 30 minute lesson. There is a sign up sheet outside the music room. The photos show our two private music teachers.

Please note that Tuesday, 25th August, is a public holiday and there will be no classes on that day

Upcoming primary gatherings:

• Friday 4th September – P5 class presenting
• Friday, 11th September – P6 class presenting
• Friday, 25th September – P1/2 class presenting
• Friday, 2nd October – P3/4 class presenting
• Friday, 30th October – EC1/2 presenting
• Friday, 13th November – Swahili classes presenting
• Friday, 4th December – Daycare Centre graduation rehearsal
• Friday, 11th December – End of semester gathering

Deborah Mills – Head of PYP

Making Choices, Solving Mysteries & Growing Together!

This week was filled with curiosity, reflection, collaboration, and meaningful learning. We began by reading No, David! and reflecting on David’s choices. The children shared thoughtful messages about making good choices, using gentle hands, listening, and being respectful. This inspired us to reflect on our own classroom and create our Essential Agreements, sharing ideas about how we can care for ourselves, others, and our learning environment.

Our inquiry continued when we returned from a walk to discover a mysterious mess! The children took action, tidied the classroom, and became detectives with clipboards. They explored the school, asked teachers questions, and gathered clues. Through this investigation, they developed their communication, thinking, research, and social skills.

We ended the week by making fruit salad and celebrating our courage, independence, friendships, and wonderful second week of settling into school!

Manal El Dahwish

Thank you to all who came to the Meet the Teacher Night. It was good to see you all and share the vision of the class for this school year. For those who missed the meeting. I will share the handouts with you on Monday.

As shared in the meeting, our essential agreements are as follows:

• We listen to each other.
• We use kind words and actions.
• We take care of people and things.
• We share and take turns.
• We help each other learn.

Almost all are universal, and they can be worked on at home as well.

On Thursday, the classroom jobs that the children listed were sent home, including the sheet where they can choose which one they wish to do. Please send these back on Monday, as we will be carrying out ‘interviews’.

The picture shared is of a group of students sorting different representations of numbers 11 to 20.

Mboka Mwasongwe

In P3/4 we have been exploring building numbers and number sense. We have been playing number games in different teams and playing teacher vs student games. We are well on the way to diving into our unit, Who we are. We have been exploring what we were like when we were smaller and comparing to what we can do now.  We will continue exploring this through next week.

Sarah Vrontamitis

This week the children have been exploring gravity and friction through playing with stomp rockets, spinners and air pucks. In the coming week they will inquire into air resistance and buoyancy whilst making parachutes and boats. In maths they will round numbers. We will also do some cooking using pushes and pulls to show that forces can be put to good use with a delicious outcome.

Deborah Mills

P6 is beginning to settle into a routine! In maths, we have started exploring factors, multiples and volume. We also began our new Unit of Inquiry by investigating how stories can teach us about the past. Students examined different sources, piecing together information and considering how perspective can shape the way events are told.

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for Parent Evening. I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing long weekend—please remember that there is no school next Tuesday.

Looking ahead, P6 will MC the Primary Gathering on 4 September and host our own PYP Gathering on 11 September. Clubs start on Monday. House Captain elections will take place on Friday, 28 August. If you received an email from me, please help your child prepare for their speech!

Elisha Jaffer

D1 Campcraft
165 students, 16 teachers, 8 members of the OP team, 8 drivers and 8 local Maasai guides – D1 Campcraft was a great success!

Organising a camp trip for so many people, while introducing students to the fundamental pillars of the Outdoor Pursuits programme across four separate walking groups, is never an easy task. However, last weekend was a great success. Students were enthusiastic, enjoyed being off campus and embraced the opportunity to develop their outdoor skills.

Please see some of the pictures below.

MYP Campcraft
There is no rest for the OP team, and the next Campcraft trip for MYP students is taking place this weekend!

This is an opportunity for new students in M1–M3 to try out activities across all four of our programmes. Students will hike, snorkel and ride while also learning essential campcraft skills, such as erecting their tents and cooking their own meals.

We look forward to another great weekend!

OP Trip Communication
Please also note that the OP team has identified a communication error on the LIFE platform. At present, students who have signed up for trips have not received the trip letter containing important details, including trip costs.

We are addressing this in stages to avoid overwhelming the system or parents’ inboxes.

MYP Campcraft: Communication has already been sent to parents.

North Pare and Makuyuni: Students who have signed up for these trips will have received the trip communication, including full trip details and costs.

In the meantime, details of all OP trips, excluding costs, are available on the website by accessing the relevant trip catalogues.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue.