Arusha Campus News – 16 May 2026

UWC East Africa Arusha Campus Newsletter Saturday 16th May 2026

Its exam time on campus at the moment, which is exhausting for everyone!

Upcoming events

Sat 16th-Sun 17th May – Arusha Frisbee Tournament at Arusha Campus

Mon 18th May – Start of D1 End of Year exams

Wed 20th May – Last Day of Diploma exams

Wed 20th May – 8am Arusha PTA AGM

Thur 21st May – 5pm Sundowner drinks at Schwari Restaurant for Graduating Student parents.

Fri 22nd May – Arusha Campus Graduation Ceremony for Class of 2026

Wed 10th June – 1.30pm PYP Play ‘The Lorax’

Fri 12th June – Last day of school

Dear Parents

Tom (P6) and Fikeni (P3) interact during their buddy time. Here they are working together in `Buddy Time!

It is well and truly exam season here on Arusha Campus. People going about their business in hushed tones whilst walking around the yellow rope to get to their offices and classrooms. And all the while the pens and pencils in the exam hall are working feverishly to get answers scribbled down before the ominous digital display clocks signify time is up!

Exams are a very common source of stress. The pressure to perform, fear of failing, and fear of disappointing others can quickly lead to severe overwhelm, exhaustion, and test anxiety. You can minimize this stress by taking actionable steps to prepare and center yourself:

Create a Routine: Break your study material into small, achievable goals rather than trying to cram everything at once. Prioritize Rest: Lack of sleep severely damages your concentration. Ensure you get at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night.

Balance Your Life: Make time for healthy meals, exercise, and short breaks with friends to avoid burnout.

Practice Relaxation: If you begin to panic or feel overwhelmed, try deep breathing exercises or the physiological sigh (a double inhale followed by a long, slow exhale) to slow your heart rate.

It’s normal to feel stressed and on edge about exams but always remember the old adage ‘You can only do your best’

Good luck!

Phil

PYP News

Glory and Abigail learning time management skills

Dear Parents,

In the PYP we use the same ATL skills as in the secondary school. Self-management skills  are really important for children to learn as they include emotional regulation, organizational skills, time management, and self-motivation. These skills are essential for independence, academic success, and social situations.
Key Self-Management Skills to Develop
Emotion Regulation: Managing feelings and behaviors in different situations, such as staying calm when frustrated.
Organization: Managing schoolwork, belongings, and tasks without constant reminders.
Time Management: Understanding schedules, meeting deadlines, and reducing screen time distractions.
Goal Setting: Setting small, achievable goals
Initiative & Responsibility: Taking ownership of actions and being proactive.
Please allow your child to pack their own bag to include home learning, snacks, library bags and swimming kit, let your child carry their belongings, teach them how to wear and put on their own seat belt in the car.
Developing these skills helps children become more self-aware, confident, and accountable.

Miss Amanda, Head of PYP

M1 Service as Action

M1 class (pictured above) decided to pick trash around the school as their service this quarter. They will be doing that until the end of the quarter, once every week.

Cross Country at Braeburn

This morning, our cross country runners are out in force. Here are Brian (left) and Yahye (right) coming home in 2nd and 4th respectively!

Loula (EC, below) proudly supports her big sister at the cross country this morning.

OP Peaks Adventure to Usambara

A memorable weekend (team pictured above) in the Usambara Mountains! Despite the rain on day two, spirits stayed as high as the peaks we climbed—we successfully summited two in two days. A truly rewarding experience in a region rich in history.

Maths Olympiad

Our Mathematics Olympiad team, pictured above, doing round 2 of the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) competition.

These competitions provide students with an exciting opportunity to challenge themselves, think critically, and develop confidence in problem-solving. Through engaging and stimulating mathematical activities, students explored new concepts beyond the classroom while sharpening their analytical and reasoning skills.

The competition also creates fun and collaborative learning environment where students are encouraged to persevere, share ideas, and enjoy the beauty of Mathematics. As a school, we continue to provide opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning, ensuring that every student is challenged to reach their full potential while having fun along the way.

The juniors M1 and M2 will be on the 20th May and theirs will be called South African Mathematics Challenge.

Mr Jeremiah, Maths Department

DP Corner

There is not too much to report from the DP corner except that we are fully in exam mode! (our exam hall is pictiured above) Our D2 students have really impressed us with their hard work, resilience, and determination as they work through this final full week of examinations.

Our D1 students are also preparing for their assessments and are certainly beginning to feel the pressure. While these exams are an important checkpoint for them academically, they also provide valuable feedback and guidance for the journey ahead in the Diploma Programme.

A few quick reminders for the coming weeks:

The D2 Dinner with students and teachers will take place on Wednesday, May 20.
This will be followed by the meet-and-greet with host families, teachers, and parents on May 21.
Our biggest celebration, the Graduation Ceremony, will take place on Friday at 3:00 pm.
Finally, our Quarter 4 and final DP Zoom meeting of the year will take place on June 2 at 2:00 pm EAT. Please see the meeting link below.

Miss Peterson, Head of DP

Graduation 2026 Livestream!

We are excited to invite you to join our Graduation Livestream on Saturday, May 23rd at 15:00 EAT via our YouTube channel. We know many families and friends may be joining us from different parts of the world, and we look forward to celebrating this special moment together.

How to watch:
• Visit our YouTube page shortly before the ceremony begins.
• Once you are on the page, you will see a video thumbnail with an icon that says “LIVE” when the stream has started.
• Simply click on the livestream video to join the ceremony.

Please feel free to forward the livestream link to other family members and friends who would also like to celebrate this important milestone with our graduates.

Please note:
As this is a live event being streamed in real time, the quality of the broadcast will depend on internet connectivity. There may be occasional small delays, buffering, audio interruptions, or brief interference during the stream.

Our team is producing the livestream in-house, and we will do our very best to provide the best possible viewing experience for everyone tuning in from around the world.

Link to YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UWCEastAfrica

Escape Room 3 with Mr Airdrie

Our third Escape Room is open and ready for teams to come and play. Please contact Rob Airdrie: robertairdrie@uwcea.org to make a booking or if you have questions.

  • What is an Escape Room? An Escape Room is a fun activity for small groups of people who enjoy immersing themselves in a story and solving puzzles.
  • How long does this one take? We estimate most teams will be able to find Goldfang’s Treasure in about 20 minutes.
  • Who can play and how many in a team? Teams are recommended to be 4 players. Fewer is not recommended! Anyone can play, though younger children will need someone older to help.
  • When can we play? Contact Rob Airdrie for a link to choose a time slot or to arrange a time directly
  • How much does it cost? 5000 shillings per player in each team – all of which goes to the UWC Scholarship Fund.

If you wish to register for the Golf tournament click on this link https://bit.ly/kiligolf

Calendar

May

June