Arusha News – UWC East Africa

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UWC East Africa Arusha Campus Newsletter Saturday 4th October 2025

The M4 girls hard at work in the forests on west Kilimanjaro earlier this week.

Upcoming events

Tue 7th Oct – Secondary Three-way Conferences

Wed 8th Oct – Secondary Inter House Athletics

Wed 8th Oct – PYP Three-way Conferences

Thur 9th Oct – 1pm Rhino Pool Fundraiser @ swimming pool

Fri 10th Oct – 11am Final Assembly of Quarter 1

Mon 13th to Fri 17th – School closed mid term break

Mon 20th Oct – School reopens

Weds 29th Oct – School closed for Tanzanian General Election

M2 walk back in time to visit Tongoni Ruins

The Tongoni Ruins are a 15th-century Swahili ruins of a mosque and forty tombs located about 25 km north of the Pangani River, M2s visited the site to learn about early civilisations on the East African coast.

Dear Parents

Billy M concentrating on his Maths-Biomass study in the forests of West Kilimanjaro earlier this week.

This past week has been eventful. Our Middle Years classes have been out for a Week Without Walls. We used 9 buses, 1 lorry and 2 Land Cruisers, 12 drivers, 9 cooks, 2 OP staff and 30 teachers! In spite of major disruptions on the roads we managed to get everyone where they were supposed to be at the right times and safely back again!

Everyone arrived back yesterday with tales of camping in the far corners of Northern Tanzania, as we enhanced our knowledge of mathematics, swahili, drama and music and social and geography studies. A major achievement. On our campus, the architect of this logistical jigsaw puzzle was Miss Anoek. An amazing accomplishment to coordinate such a complex catalogue of excursions, so a huge well done to her. Thank you Anoek from all of us. She will say that she had a great team around her which, is true, so well done to them too. This newsletter is punctuated with images from all five trips and we look forward to individual reports next week.

At the same time our cohort of Diploma 1 students engaged in Project Week. The idea of UWC Project Week is for students to plan a week-long, experiential learning activity where they undertake projects focused on themes like sustainability, community service, and creativity, often outside the regular classroom. Students either design their own projects or participate in staff-led initiatives, allowing them to explore their passions, develop leadership and practical skills, foster intercultural understanding, and engage with local communities. Presentations of these projects will be presented in due course.

As if that wasn’t enough, on campus this weekend we had an 11-a-side football match for the U19 Boys against Orkeeswa and a round robin basketball tournament against Orkeeswa and Moshi Campus. Earlier in the week, Miss Amanda and her PYP team did a terrific job hosting the PYP Sports Day and also the Nursery to P2 Fun Sports.

On Thursday this week we have 20 students embarking on the ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro…..

Frankly speaking, there is no school in the world quite like ours.

I hope everyone can have a restful Sunday!

Finally, this was a week of outdoor activity learning in the wilds of Tanzania. I know Jane Goodall would have championed such initiatives and my final word this week is to recognise Dr Goodall and her immense contributions to scientific and ecological research in Tanzania. Dr Jane Goodall visited us regularly on Arusha Campus and her death earlier this week brings to an end a heroic lifetime supporting the wildlife of Tanzania. Thank you Jane.

Phil

The U19 Rhinos football team took on Orkeeswa earlier today and performed heroically to storm into a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, our first 90 minute game of the season was hard and fitness took its toll. Orkeeswa ran out winners in a close 4-3 scoreline. Here we are at half time pictured below.

M2 in Pangani

M2s take a breather from their studies in Pangani to enjoy a spout of beach football.

U16 Basketball vs Orkeeswa and Moshi Campus

Our U16’s played a tournament against Orkeeswa and Moshi Campus earlier today. They overcame a spirited contest against Orkeeswa before falling to Moshi by a two point margin. Lots of encouraging signs for Coach Adam as we head into Sports Weekend preparations.

PYP News

The PYP Students (above and below) running, jumping and throwing for their houses!

This week we had a great time at our PYP sports days making sure everyone was included and celebrated. Primary school sports days should promote fun and foster healthy competition by focusing on sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork, rather than solely on winning. Congratulations to all our students for a great effort and to the teachers who helped the event to run so smoothly.

Benefits of Sports Days

Physical Health: Encourages physical activity, improving cardiovascular fitness, bone density, and energy levels.
Mental Well-being: Boosts self-esteem and provides a positive outlet for energy and stress.

Social Skills: Develops teamwork, leadership, communication, and the ability to handle both success and disappointment gracefully.
Sportsmanship: Teach children to congratulate others, celebrate together, and accept consolation prizes.

Mrs Amanda Bowen, Head of PYP

M5 looking after their Physical Health in Mto wa Mbu

M5 went to the Rift Valley escarpment and Mto wa Mbu to learn about Science and PHE. Here they are with their morning workout overlooking Lake Manyara.

Nursery and Early Childhood do yoga!

As part of our unit we learned that exercise is important for our bodies. We invited Neha to do a Yoga session with the children and here they are pictured above!

M3 Creativity in Makumira

M3 students practise their beading skills at the Cultural Arts Centre in Makumira.

Fabric Painting with Amanda

As part of the weekend activity program students enjoyed fabric painting with Miss Amanda and they created some magnificent products (see above)

Arusha’s Got Talent!

The Diploma Clown Act (above): Catalina, Athena and Lily (on the top), Lucia, Livio, Hadi and Rida (on the bottom) from left to right.

On Friday 26th September, the performing talent of our secondary school took to the PA stage! With over 20 acts signed up, the night showcased performing arts from acapella vocal groups, to poetry and dance. The night was MC’d by the wonderful Ayinza (D2), whose charisma and cartwheels were the perfect accompaniment to the night’s entertainment. Well done to all of you! We look forward to the next Arusha’s Got Talent which will take place in Semester 2.

Kayo (M2) is seen below playing South Indian Carnatic Music on the flute.

The Diploma Clown Act (above): Catalina, Athena and Lily (on the top), Lucia, Livio, Hadi and Rida (on the bottom) from left to right.

Sarah Keane, Music Teacher

M5 in the Science Lab

M5 had a fabulous location on the rift valley wall to conduct their science and PE studies. Here they are in a makeshift lab doing science experiments.

Anti-Racism Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) Committee

Recently, the Anti-Racism Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) committee conducted an enlightening presentation for Afro Hair Day in Assembly (see poster above). This event, held in conjunction with the Diversity and Cultural celebrations, engaged secondary students in a comprehensive discussion about the rich history, challenges faced due to discrimination, and the multidimensional diversity of Afro-textured hair.

Amal, ARDEI Committee

M1 journey to the Hadzabe in Eyasi