Friday Market and other Arusha Campus date changes!

The start of the 24 Hour Run in Moshi on Friday at 2pm!

Our community came together in the most incredible way during the 24-Hour Run! From students who pushed themselves lap after lap, to parents, staff, alumni, and friends (see pic above) who cheered, donated, and even joined in on the fun, you all showed what true UWCEA spirit looks like.

Because of you, we raised the equivalent of US$15,200 for scholarships. Every lap, every cheer, every donation added up to something so much bigger: the chance for more young people to access a life-changing education.

And it’s not over! Our donation link is still open! If you didn’t get a chance, you can still support the cause here.

To every runner who stayed on the pitch through the night, every volunteer who kept the energy high, and every supporter who gave what they could, thank you.

Mon 15th to Fri 19th Sept – MYP MAP Testing

Fri 19th Sept – Friday Market at Arusha Campus

Fri 19th – Tue 23rd Sept – OP Reefs Discovery at Fish Eagle Point

Sun 21st Sept – UWC Day

Fri 26th Sept – Arusha’s Got Talent @ Arusha Campus

Mon 29th Sept to Fri 3rd Oct – Project Week (D1)

Mon 29th Sept to Fri 3rd Oct – Week Without Walls (M1-M5)

Mon 29th Sept to Fri 3rd Oct – PYP MAP Testing

This weekend over 150 students from Arusha Campus made the journey over to Moshi Campus for the 24 Hour Run (see image above). A great time was had by all and we would like to thank Bob and everyone on Moshi Campus for organising such a fabulous event. Thank you!

Following on from last week’s article from Amanda on road safety, my biggest concern about this latest weekend was the transportation of 158 students and teachers over to Moshi Campus. Thankfully, down to the professionalism of our careful drivers Mr Jastine and Mr Sam as well as the dedication of Miss Emily, Mr Gift and Miss Ann-Joyce to accompany the students, we were able to bring everyone back home safely.

I am not sure I can recall working in a school of more committed teachers – Emily, Gift and Ann-Joyce opted to chaperone students during an all night run rather than choose the easy option of staying at home with their young families! Incredible. And the rest of the teaching team are exactly the same. 

Thank you teachers!

Phil

P5 (above) have enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes whilst learning about different traditions.

Cooking with kids is a fun, educational activity that provides bonding time while teaching essential life skills, and fostering a healthy relationship with food. Involve children in meal planning and grocery shopping, choose age-appropriate tasks from washing vegetables to simple chopping, and prioritize kitchen safety. Start with easy recipes like pancakes or fruit salad, focus on creating a positive, enjoyable experience, and embrace the messes as part of the learning process.

Benefits of cooking with children
Develops life skills:
Children learn important skills like following recipes, understanding measurements, and problem-solving.
Promotes healthy eating:
Cooking with fresh ingredients can make children more adventurous and excited to try new foods, leading to healthier eating habits.
Enhances family bonding:
It creates a positive shared experience, offering quality time for conversation and connection.
Prioritize safety:
Teach basic kitchen safety, such as washing hands and handling knives carefully, and ensure a safe workspace with a sturdy step stool if needed.
Assign age-appropriate tasks:
Younger children: Can wash vegetables, stir ingredients, and help put away groceries.
Older children: Can learn to chop soft ingredients with a kid-safe knife, weigh ingredients, and follow simple instructions.
Create a positive environment:
Make the experience fun by playing music, laughing, and embracing the mess.
Be patient and encouraging:
Celebrate their efforts and successes to build their confidence and encourage a love for cooking.

Mrs Amanda Bowen, Head of PYP

The M4 girls (above) worked tirelessly selling home baked treats on Move It Day

On Saturday, Miss Hilary (another one of those committed teachers I was telling you about!)  took it upon herself to organise a fundraising event here on Arusha Campus for all those families who were not able to travel to the 24 Hour Run in Moshi. And what a job she did. Everyone had a fantastic time!

A huge thank you to all the staff involved in the day and before hand. Alli, for helping with M3, Anoek for all the help with advertising and communication, Amanda for rallying PYP, Caitrin for the loan of PE equipment, Caroline for liaising with campus staff, the cleaners, the ground staff, the PTA for the use of the shack, Katy for getting teams to register. It’s an enormous undertaking and it wouldn’t happen without a lot of people doing their bit. Thanks to all the teachers who popped in during the day. It means alot to the kids to have you all there. M3 and M4 were brilliant and some real leaders emerged.

The final total raised for the endowment fund was a staggering 2million and 90 thousand Tsh.

Well done Miss Hilary and the whole team!

Anaya is pictured below showing off her hula hoop prowess!

Pictured above, M1 and M2 community engagement trip – Okoto waste management project visit With Ms Caitrin and Ms Christabel

Okota and Chanzi are both located at the Arusha landfill.

On our visit there we saw the Okota team hand-sorting the trash into various categories, including different types of plastic, metals, and cardboard. We saw the baling process, in which the materials are compressed to make transportation easier. Okota is selling recyclable materials to Iringa, Kenya, and all the way to Europe and China as well. At Chanzi, they are using compost to make food for the larvae, which is then turned into chicken and other animal feed and then sold across the country.

Did you know that only 5% of Arusha’s waste is recycled? Okota’s mission is to get that number up to 80% recycled, they plan to do this in the span of 5 years.

Did you know that in just the span of 8 years, the Arusha landfill has gone from a three-meter deep hole to a thirteen-meter high hill of Arusha waste?

Did you know that rotting organic products make a great mass of methane? Okota gives organic waste to Chanzi to turn into larvae feed.

Did you know that paper/cardboard can’t be recycled too many times because the fibres will break down too small, but aluminium foil can be recycled almost infinitely?

Did you know that your old rubbish might be being shipped off to China right now to make new things?

We learned lots about recycling at Okota!
Did you know that a black soldier fly’s life cycle is very short? Around 5 days before the egg hatches, 10 days to grow to full-grown larvae, a week to turn into flies, and then only a week before they die, that’s only around a month!

Did you know that a black soldier fly only lays once in their life, and it lays about 300-600 eggs?

Did you know that black soldier fly eggs/very new larvae produce an outrageous amount of heat, they got the metal up to around 28 degrees!

Did you know that a very large amount of Chanzis maggots are turned into chicken feed, and the small portion is turned into flies to keep the life cycle going?

Did you know that the larvae’s poo they get is then turned into fertilizer?

I learnt that on average, 330 tonnes of rubbish is loaded into the Arusha landfill (that’s a lot).

You can simply help save Arusha by cutting down on the products you buy, or even just recycling and bringing your recycling to our school recycle centre, because all of that goes straight to Okota, ready to be recycled.

Did you know that you can help with reducing the amount of plastic even when you are just sitting at home? Donating items which cannot be recycled, avoiding buying things that you do not need and are going to dispose of, and even just reusing things which can be reused are merely some of the ways you can contribute to help not only help Okota reach its goal but also help the environment.

Leana (M1) and Lulu (M2)

Miss Anoek, Head of MYP

Musical learning doesn’t just take place within the classroom.  Each week, D2 students Aissa, Brenda, and Sipho (Pictured above) come together with Mr. Dennis in the UWC Band CCA to rehearse and explore new music. UWC Band is a reminder that music grows strongest when it’s nurtured by curiosity, commitment, and collaboration.

Arusha’s Got Talent Sign Up
  🎤🎭🎶🌟 Calling all performers, entertainers, and talent enthusiasts! 🌟🎶🎭🎤  Get ready for Arusha’s Got Talent, the most exciting, fun-filled, and entertaining night of the year! Whether you’re a singer, dancer, comedian, magician, musician, model, or performer of any kind, this is your chance to shine on stage and showcase your talent.
🗓 Event Date: Friday, September 26
⏰ Time: 7:30 sharp
📍 Location: PA
🎟 Who can participate? Students (M1 – D2), teachers, and even parents! Whether you’re performing or just coming to cheer, this is a night you won’t want to miss!

The Sign-up Form will close on September 15th.

AGT sign up Form 

If you have any questions you can reach out to me,

Ayinza Joline, D1
Arusha’s Got Talent Organiser.
( ayinzal26@uwcea.org)

As we reach the middle of the quarter, the “honeymoon phase” is officially over and students are now in full swing with assessments across their subjects. Our teachers—pictured here in the new staff workroom—are equally busy planning and marking. Admittedly, I’m not sure how much work was happening at this particular moment, but the high spirits were undeniable! I feel incredibly fortunate to have a team of colleagues who are not only exemplary in their professionalism, but also deeply committed to creating the happy, caring, and supportive environment we strive for each day.

Our D2 students have received feedback on their Extended Essay drafts and are now working toward the final version, due at the end of D2 Catch-Up Week (September 29–October 3). At the same time, our D1 students will be heading out across the country for Project Week—an exciting opportunity to explore Tanzania, experience service learning, and develop key skills in planning, budgeting, organization, teamwork, and understanding the meaning of service.

Across the secondary school, students are working hard to balance academics with a vibrant mix of activities, from the 24-Hour Run, Outdoor Pursuits, CCAs, and sports to the strong social life of our campus. We are mindful of the stress and anxiety this balance can sometimes bring, and continue to guide students in managing their wellbeing and knowing where to find support when needed. Our Inclusion Team, Mentors and Residential teams play an important role in this, supporting students in many ways to ensure they are set up for success.

Student voice also remains central to school life. Various student committees are actively shaping policies, guidelines, and events. The Focus Day Committee is currently preparing for our upcoming “UWC in Action” Day on September 22nd, a celebration of what we do as a UWC and an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to bring our values to life. Keep an eye out for more information—we look forward to welcoming members of our wider community to be part of this important day.

Miss Jessica, Head of DP

The university counseling season is off to a strong start (see images above and below) —especially for our D2 students. From September 2–4, students who requested feedback were matched with university representatives for one-on-one, 25-minute essay review sessions. These meetings provided valuable, personalized guidance and a chance to connect directly with admissions reps. One visitor shared, “It was lovely to meet such a great bunch of students—they were very prepared and asked lots of questions!”

On September 1, students participated in a dynamic mock admissions session and college fair with representatives from Hamilton, Vassar, Swarthmore, Trinity, Reed, and Gettysburg. On September 9, more than 30 students attended an off-campus university fair featuring institutions from the UK, Canada, and Mauritius.

Most recently, our campus buzzed with excitement as we welcomed reps from Yale, Penn, Tufts, Carleton, Lake Forest, Vanderbilt, Bard, Goucher, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Dartmouth. Students joined interactive workshops—including Inside the Admissions Process and How to Make the Most of Your University Experience—before connecting face-to-face with admissions officers.

Throughout, university reps consistently praised our students’ curiosity, preparedness, and thoughtful engagement. We’re proud of how they are representing UWCEA!

Mr. Kendis, University Counselor