As the D2 students are finishing their exams this week a lot of work is happening behind the scenes to get ready for Graduation on the 23rd and the M5 Ceremony on the 30th. Thank you to all the volunteers and school staff that are getting the school ready for these events. They have had to work extra hard as the rain will just not cooperate.
Parents of D2 students please see recent emails about the timing of events on Thursday and Friday.
Outside of these ceremonies there is still so much going on. We have an OP trip out right now and a couple of classes in PYP chanced the elements to have camping trips this last week. As you will read below, both classes had a great time.
Please read through the newsletter to see everything that is going on as we enter the last month of the school year. I particularly like some of the chicken photos.
Bob Cofer – Head of Campus
Upcoming Events
Ben’s Corner
As exam season continues to dominate life on campus (the end is in sight!), the Primary classes are taking the opportunity to escape to overnight camps to various spots around the region, from Simba Farm to Wildtracks. These experiences support holistic development, helping children grow emotionally, socially and academically. Camps offer hands-on learning opportunities, often incorporating activities related to nature, science and environmental education, giving students practical experiences that reinforce classroom learning.
Group challenges and outdoor tasks promote critical thinking and collaboration, helping students develop resourcefulness as problem solvers. Indeed, these personal and social benefits are, perhaps, even more long lasting. Being away from home and, even, outside their comfort zone encourages the children to be independent and resilient, taking responsibility for their belongings, hygiene (!!) and time management, important life skills at any age. Going on camps can build confidence and self-esteem, successfully navigating unfamiliar environments and trying new things often has a lasting impact.
Of course, at UWCEA, these trips are the perfect introduction to the world of OP, as we continue to work towards becoming a world reference in this area, bridging the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and inquiry, through experiential learning. For all our students, from EC to D2, new learning contexts, outside the ‘traditional’ classroom setting, help students understand that education is lifelong and occurs in many environments, making learning feel more relevant and enjoyable…I just hope everyone did not get too wet!
Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus
Diploma News
Some of our D2 students finished exams this week with the final SL Mathematics Paper on Friday. We will continue next week with Chemistry, Global Politics, French and Maths Higher Level. For those who are finished, there are mixed emotions: joy, relief but also an unexpected stillness: what do I do with my time now? I know sleep is on the agenda and so is packing for our residential students.
Towards the end of the week, we will have graduation rehearsals for our students on Wednesday at 4pm and Thursday at 2pm. Special thanks to Brigitte and Antje, our D2 parents, and the TPC Mamas for helping to prepare graduation decorations. We are so excited! K-Hall is now closed for graduation set up.
The D1s expressed a feeling of gearing up, saying that they have a number of upcoming deadlines, while also continuing with important service projects. Our sustainability committee led the Primary Gathering this week, the history class went on a field trip, the yearbook group completed the final edits on the 2025 Yearbook. UWCEA is so much more than just the classroom!
We look forward to seeing D2 parents and staff at the Sundowners Gathering for parents of graduating students on Thursday evening. You will have received the invite separately and please RSVP and join us.
Catherine Dowie- Diploma Coordinator
History Trip
A group of D1 history enthusiasts went on an overnight history field trip last weekend. The group numbered 22 students total, and they were joined by Ms. Irene Assey of the math/science department.
Our first stop was the village of Kindi, where the students met with village elders who talked about the memories of the Ujamaa period — the era in the late 1960s and 1970s in which Tanzania launched one of the most ambitious socialist experiments on the continent of Africa.
After Kindi, the group drove to Arusha for the evening. After dinner, we held a special screening of “The Empty Grave” (2024), which is a documentary about the legacy of the German colonial era. Students slept in classrooms on the Arusha campus, but enjoyed interacting with their peers on our sister campus.
On Saturday morning, we received a tour of the Arusha Declaration Museum from Mr. David. This museum is the site of President Nyrere’s famous 1967 speech that launched the Ujamaa period. By the end of the tour, Mr. David proclaimed our students the best group of teenagers he’s ever seen, that they “warmed his heart” and “restored his hope for the young generation.”
Wade Morris
SAMO Round 2: A Test of Wit and Willpower
Round 2 of the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) proved to be quite the challenge—but our brilliant mathematicians rose to the occasion with unwavering determination. With tricky problems and time ticking fast, it was a true mental workout that kept them on their toes. Regardless of the outcome, it was an enriching experience that sharpened their logic, perseverance, and passion for numbers. Hats off to all participants for stepping up to the challenge!
Next up is the Primary second round
Residential Life
Dear UWCEA Community,
We’re heading into the final stretch of D2 exams this week, while our M5 students have already wrapped theirs up. Well done to all! With exams winding down, so are many of our activities, but there’s still a bit of fun to be had before we close out the term.
We ended the week on a high note with a lively Trivia Night hosted by our Student Government. There was plenty of laughter, friendly competition, and good energy all around—thank you to everyone who joined in and made it such a great evening.
Looking ahead, we have two special events to round off our culture night series: Russian Culture Night this Sunday, and Palestinian Culture Night on Tuesday. These will be the last culture nights of the year, so come join us in celebrating the beauty and diversity of our community one last time!
Next Wednesday, May 21st, is M5 Transition Day. M5s will be paired with D1 students and spend the day in diploma classes to get a real taste of what next year might hold. M5s, we’ll go over the full plan together early next week, but for now, get ready to ask questions, take it all in, and enjoy the experience!
Finally, a reminder for M5 families: Please complete the travel form by May 25. This helps us finalize transportation arrangements and ensures a smooth and safe departure for all students. If you have any questions or would like to talk through your child’s plans, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best, Adnan Mackovic – Head of Residential Life
MYP News
M5s – Officially Done with MYP (well the academic part) This week, our M5 students reached an important milestone, they completed their final academic tasks in the MYP! After weeks of hard work, the last assessments wrapped up on Friday afternoon, marking the end of their formal academic journey in the Middle Years Programme. But the journey isn’t over just yet… the next few weeks are still full (in the best way!). This coming week, we’ve planned a variety of meaningful life skills sessions to help students reflect, reset, and prepare for what’s next. These activities are designed to support them as they transition confidently toward their future goals.
What’s coming up?
An official welcome and Q&A with Ms. Dowie
Special sessions with Mr. Adnan and the current D1 students
College and career conversations with Ms. Megan
A hands-on financial literacy workshop with Mr. Cofer
And even a leadership moment … our M5s will coach the M4s through an introduction to the Personal Project!
M4 Physics This week, our M4 students entered the final stages of their Rube Goldberg machine project … a challenging yet exciting unit in which creativity meets physics! Using simple materials like cardboard, pulleys, string, and levers, students are applying their understanding of forces, motion, and energy transfer to build complex chain-reaction systems designed to perform a simple task. It’s been no easy feat. From recalibrating their pulley systems to redesigning unstable structures, students have faced (and overcome!) a series of engineering and design challenges. Collaboration, critical thinking, and resilience have been on full display in every lesson proving that problem-solving is as much about persistence as it is about planning. A big thank you to Mr. Baden for his input and help in solving some engineering issues that came along while building. We’re incredibly proud of their progress and can’t wait to showcase the final machines next week. Get ready for a creative collision of science and innovation!
M3 Art and Theatre Combined Come sun… come rain… the show must go on!
And it did! Our M3 students brought their Art and Theatre project to life with an exciting live performance on Friday morning. What made it extra special? The students did everything themselves. They wrote the script, designed the set, created the props and costumes, and even prepared all the artwork on display. The story, set in the early 20th century in Italy, followed a group of critics and artists debating whether abstract art should be accepted or rejected. It was funny, thoughtful, and full of creativity. This wasn’t an easy project. It took months of teamwork, planning, and problem-solving to put it all together. But the students showed so much dedication and talent. We’re incredibly proud of how they worked together and pulled it off so confidently. Well done, M3! You made us proud and reminded us how powerful student creativity can be.
MYP Dates to Remember
May 19th to 23rd – M5s Orientation to What’s Next
May 26th to 28th – M5s Work Experience
May 30th – M5 Ceremony (Please make travel plans according to Mr. Adnan’s reminders)
June 9th to 12th – M4 End of Year Assessments Week
June 13th, 16th & 17th- Days of Giving Back for M1, M2, M3 & M4
June 19th – Classes End
Have a wonderful week ahead! Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator
PYP News
Last Tuesday the P4 – 6 children travelled to Arusha campus to see the P6 Exhibition. After our long journey we were made welcome with a wide array of snacks on arrival. It was great to see our Arusha friends presenting their research and it was especially nice to see Tendai (last year’s Moshi P5, this year’s Arusha P6) presenting. Congratulations to Mr. Jonny and the P6 class on a fine Exhibition.
One of the lovely things about being a “through school” (one that goes from EC to Diploma) is that the children have the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, the older students. We enjoyed a very interesting Primary Gathering on Friday morning, led by the secondary Sustainability Committee. The primary students sang songs and we watched a slideshow. The committee members told us about the chicken programme on campus and took us up to the coops to meet the chickens. We also learned about the community garden and the compost system. Mr. Will is very keen to have volunteers to let the chickens out in morning, feed them and shut them back up at night. Please contact him on williamtaylor@uwcea.org or sustainabilitymoshi@uwcea.org for more details if you are interested. Help (even a one off event) is welcome at any time but would be particularly valuable over the long break when so many of our older students return to their home countries.
On Friday afternoon, Bridge Primary School visited our campus to play netball. This was an opportunity for our children to share their skills and for Bridge Primary to learn some of the rules of the game. We hope they will visit us again in the future.
The second round of the South African Maths Challenge will take place on Thursday. Eliza (P4), Adrian (P4) and Anne (P6) will be competing. We wish them lots of success.
I shared the dates of upcoming events in this newsletter a couple of weeks ago. Please save the date of our Gathering of Gratitude which will take place on Friday, May 30th at 7:30am in Karibu Hall. The children have been practicing songs with Ms. Jamie. We look forward to seeing you there.
Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator
EC/P1 Class
Thank you to all the parents who filled out our surveys. P2/3 also came and filled in our surveys. We will keep them on the wall until Monday morning for those who want the morning to fill them in.
This week we had amazing show and tell sessions. Rowan told us about Polish chickens and how their fluffy heads are so beautiful. Leah shared pictures of her childhood. Everyone loved the photo of her posing with her sister. Ryker showed everyone a brochure about Tanzanite that he picked up from the airport, and started a discussion on jewellery and dynamite. Yara wrapped up the week by showing everyone how she made perfume from different coloured flowers, mixing them with water and placing them in the freezer. Everyone had a chance to smell the scent she created, and we all smelled different smells: apples, strawberries, watermelon, and mangoes.
Mboka Mwasongwe
P2/3 Class
There is so much to be thankful for this week! The P3 camping trip to Simba Farms was a wonderful success. I couldn’t sleep the night before because I was convinced we would be sitting in soggy tents with our wet socks on. Instead, the day was cloudy and cool and the night was dry. Children exclaimed repeatedly, “This is the best!” “This is so much fun!” Parents, the trip was simplicity at its finest. The fun came from your children being together and being in nature. We were the only guests at Simba Farms and they were incredibly gracious. We wanted to bring their dogs home with us because they were such loving playmates! Thank you for trusting Ms. Zitha, Mr. Salim, and me with your children.
I also need to give a thank you to Ms. Durriyah and Ms. Vicky who stayed behind with the P2 students. They attended the Primary Gathering and now we look forward to them catching the P3 students up about the school’s chickens. We will take on the chicken duties Monday with the P2 students showing us the expectations.
I must ask, how did you do with the pop quizzes? Our new unit lends itself nicely to a study of geography and we have already learned the names of the continents in order of size and the names of the 8 countries that border Tanzania. Your children were encouraged to see if you can name them! May I recommend that you have fun with world maps at home- the class has been so engaged and it is a terrific way to increase a sense of wonder.
Kacey Buckley
P4/5 Class
We had a wonderful day last Monday. As part of our work on migration, we thought about what makes us special from a cultural point of view and what we would bring to any community that we joined. The children presented different aspects of their different cultures, sharing language, festivals, food, history, folktales and more. It was very interesting and we learned so much about each other. On Tuesday we travelled to Arusha campus to see the P6 Exhibition. It was a long journey but we enjoyed seeing our Arusha friends’ presentations. The highlight of our week was our camp at Wild Tracks, Usa River. The weather was kinder than predicted, the campsite was beautiful and the food was delicious. We enjoyed a hike to a coffee farm and a visit to the coffee factory where the children made iced coffee and cappuccinos. Many thanks to Ms. Catherine and Mr. Isaac for all of their support. Next week, we plan to do a heart dissection with Ms. Mika and see Ms. Rachel’s class present a short drama. We will also start our final Unit of Inquiry of the year about rights and responsibilities.
Deborah Mills
P6 Class
This week, we explored the concept of Dictatorship in an engaging and memorable way. Mr Emmanuel stepped into the role of our class dictator, surprising many of the P6’s with his unexpected leadership style. This sparked thoughtful discussions and reflections on authority, fairness, and power.
On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to visit the Arusha campus to attend their PYP Exhibition. Congratulations to the P6 students for their hard work and terrific displays.
On Friday, we served as MCs for the Primary Gathering. It was both exciting and inspiring to learn about the work of the Sustainability Committee, their goals, and the different ways we can get involved. After the gathering, we walked with our buddies to the chicken coop and compost area for an informative session about sustainability practices. Some brave children even held a chicken!
Next week, we will send home details about our upcoming overnight camp on the 28th and 29th of May. Please return the permission forms by Friday.
Natasha Berri
Service in Action
This Wednesday, the Imara Femme team ran our very first external workshop at Moshi Tech Secondary School, working with more than 50 students from Form 4 and Form 5. Over the course of two hours, we focused on three key Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality, Peace and Justice, and Climate Action.
We began with a light icebreaker before moving into interactive sessions, including career charades, small-group discussions, and reflections. Together, we explored gender stereotypes in career choices and talked about how we can support each other in challenging those norms. The students were engaged, thoughtful, and brought fresh perspectives to the conversation.
We were also joined by members of our school’s Sustainability Committee, who led a powerful session on climate action. Together, we discussed environmental issues in Tanzania, suggested youth-driven solutions, and even played an interactive waste sorting game that combined fun with awareness.
A big thank you to our school for supporting us with organization and funding, to Moshi Tech for such a warm and collaborative welcome and to everyone else involved. This workshop was a reminder of what community impact can look like when young people come together with purpose.
This is just the beginning—and we’re excited to keep building from here. Imara Femme has MORE to come.
Lily, D1
Outdoor Pursuits
We’re in for another exciting month in Outdoor Pursuits!
Plains Discovery: Monduli Trip Departs This Weekend Our Plains Discovery team has been briefed and is ready to set off this Saturday for their two-day, one-night adventure in Monduli. The journey begins with a 4 to 5-hour hike from Monduli Juu to Enguiki village, where students will set up camp and the opportunity to learn about traditional goat preparation with the Maasai community. On Day 2, students will pack up camp and hike back to Monduli Juu, returning to school before lunch. The focus of the trip is conservation and wildlife observation – we’re looking forward to hearing all about it!
Camp Life: Rain, Tents, and Teamwork! A big thank you to Mr. Isaac and Mr. Salimu for joining the P2/3 and P4/5 classes on their recent Camp adventures this week. Both were kept very busy helping to show students how to construct tents and other useful camping skills.
Website Updates Incoming
Keep an eye on the Outdoor Pursuits section of the school website. We’ll soon be uploading our updated policies, the 2025–26 calendar, revised trip catalogues, and refreshed kit lists to help you prepare for another year of OP adventures.
Reefs Exploration Trip Cancelled After much consideration, we regret to inform you that the Reefs Exploration trip will not go ahead this quarter. Lower-than-expected student sign-ups and withdrawals, the costs involved, environmental concerns, and time commitments made the trip unfeasible for this academic year. We understand this is disappointing and thank everyone for their understanding.
As always, we’re grateful for the continued support from staff, students, and families. We’re already looking forward to wrapping up the year with our final Peaks Discovery Trip to Longido in just a few weeks!
— The Outdoor Pursuits Team
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee is proud to share the highlights of the PYP Sustainability Gathering, celebrated on May 16th, 2025. As part of this initiative, the committee members joined the PYP classes in addition to some parents from the community to support learning around sustainability, composting, and animal care. This session involved singing and dancing to songs around the theme of recycling as prepared by the PYPs themselves with teacher, and strong advocate for sustainability, Ms. Jamie.
Students engaged in meaningful conversations about the importance of composting, and how food waste can be transformed into a resource to enrich our school gardens. Committee members also helped guide younger students in understanding the cycle of waste and how organic matter contributes to healthier soil and better food systems.
A special hands-on moment was spent with the school chickens right after the in-class session. Our members assisted in helping the PYP students understand how to feed and care for them, reinforcing the connection between sustainability and everyday choices. It was a joyful and educational experience that highlighted how simple action such as food scraps going to compost or leftover grains feeding animals can contribute to a more sustainable campus.
We’re proud of the collaboration between year levels in the feeding of the kukus and encourage everyone to keep thinking about how their small daily actions can have a positive environmental impact.
We also thank the DP sustainability service, because without their dedication to the chickens, garden, compost and general initiatives of the school, we would have no space to make such collaborations happen. They also took charge of the compost and recycling systems of the school for the past week. Thank you to those in attendance from D1 and we look forward to your next cutting-edge endeavors.
To our full community, we are eagerly looking forward to your involvement in the community garden!
