Moshi Campus News – 1 Oct 2022

This will be the last newsletter of the first term as we head into the October break this Thursday. There will be a short newsletter before we return for the start of classes on October 17th.

It amazes me how quickly the time passes. It does not seem like we have been here that long and we have hit the October break. However, there are still a few days left and those days have a crazy hair spirit day and PYP goal setting conferences not to mention primary and secondary Athletics Days. Even when we are not in session we still have school events as a multitude of Diploma students from the two campuses will spend 6 days climbing up and down Kilimanjaro. We wish them all the best of luck.

Please read through all the details below so that you can see what is happening on campus and events yet to happen. I wish you all a safe and restful break and look forward to seeing you in mid-October.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

Please contact Deborah Mills at deborahmills@uwcea.org if you have questions or to sign up your car.

The legendary secondary Moshi Halloween Extravaganza will be happening again this year. Details will be coming out after the break but please reserve the evening of October 28th. The are limited spaces available so don’t wait to sign up.

There ia always a need for more volunteers so if you want to get in behind the scenes please contact Christine at christine@oasis-yp.com.

Mark your calendars for the 22nd annual Moshi Sports Weekend November 18th to the 20th.

Right now it looks like we will have about 750 students from 12 other schools and our two campuses participating in the U-15 and open categories across a number of sports. There will be football, basketball, touch rugby, netball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, tennis and cross country.  More details to come but there will also be a special holiday market that weekend.

According to renowned educationist, Michael Fullan, school culture can be defined as the “guiding beliefs and values evident in the way a school operates” (Fullan 2007). School culture can be used to encompass all the attitudes, expected behaviours and values that impact how the school operates. Our school culture at UWCEA is defined by our Guiding Statements. As we look back on a typically eventful and full quarter of living and learning together, it is our overarching sense of shared culture that resonates with me.

It is this collective culture that fosters a powerful sense of belonging among students and staff who are part of our school. It seems obvious that a genuine notion of school spirit makes staff and students feel more invested in their school, which makes them happier and motivates them to work harder and support each other. There is a growing body of research that highlights the central role of culture to school success, showcasing the multiple ways school culture fosters academic improvement, collaborative decision making, professional development and learning…for students AND staff.

In light of this, what better way to mark the end of Q1 by coming together for a Spirit Day. The Student Voice would like to invite you to join them for a Spirit Day on Monday 3rd October…CRAZY HAIR DAY!

You are invited to come to school wearing your craziest hair style all in the name of raising our spirits and finishing the quarter with a bit of shared fun. If spirit is defined as “the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time,” let’s make our prevailing mood a joyous and collaborative one.

There will be prizes for the craziest hair in Primary, Secondary and adults. So, embrace your inner crazy and we look forward to seeing your creations on Monday.

Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus

As I look back on the quarter in Residential Life, I am in awe of what we have achieved as a united family away from home. We have tackled adversity, overcome anxiety, managed to learn about new cultures, new perspectives and embraced our new surroundings.

However, I cannot of course summarize the endless camaraderie shown daily, but I must acknowledge our students and our staff for the energy they have equally invested into creating a culture where everyone feels valued, appreciated and has their own ‘sense of belonging.’

Such a feeling only comes when students take risks, ownership of their learning and communicate their emotions with trusted peers and staff. Having more students than ever before could have been seen as a daunting prospect, but I genuinely believe we have embraced this as an opportunity for personal and community growth from PYP, MYP and into our Diploma Years.

PYP has seen a steady growth in numbers and the activities they engage in afterschool and in the weekends keeps them busy and engrossed with laughter. I was honoured to judge the recent full body art exhibition and seeing many dressed up in blue and white or their national attire and engaged in our UWC Day was special.

In MYP we too have experienced a steady growth of new arrivals and with each new student, comes a new perspective, new character, and a new energy. MYP would be no doubt be our most critical cohort of complex ages but we as staff are continually looking to seek how we can engage in their lives and understand their story, for this in turn, honours them a sense of belonging. This has been truly evident with our Diploma mentoring programme each evening and we are taking this further with a school wide initiative to raise awareness about being an upstander in all facets of life.

It is this cohort that is most impressionable, and we have moved beyond a residential focus for this initiative to progressing with an inclusive programme beginning with an awareness assembly on Monday and facilitating breakout sessions for the students in our care to see and learn about the difference between being a bystander and an upstander. Whilst we are conducting this programme inside and outside of the residence, it is pertinent to address that we do not have a culture of ‘bystanders,’ but we want our students to continue to grow, learn and be brave in the face of challenging circumstances. Teaching our students about such a complex issue and giving them the tools needed to be an upstander is indeed, our collective responsibility.

In our Diploma programme, we too will be addressing this in time as students learn what it takes to speak up and lead by example. In addition to this, our residential parents and mentors are continually seeking to help navigate them through their new surroundings and our focus this term has been to settle in routine, rhythm and finding their balance academically, socially, physically, and mentally. This will always be a challenge and is unique to each individual and we will learn with them as they find themselves and think ahead to the next chapter that awaits them. For some, this is the excitement of the October break and for others, this is the opportunity to stop, re-charge, reflect and prepare for the quarter ahead.

I am grateful for staff last weekend who led trips to Arusha for MYP, bike trips for PYP and countless adventures for our DP students in addition to the many school-wide trips and programmes on and off campus. For the break ahead and for the students heading home, I hope you make the most of the time with your loved ones and for those still awaiting final holiday plans, please do send me parental consent and any questions you may have.  Our Diploma dorms will remain open and staffed by our wonderful EA’s, but our MYP and PYP dorms close this coming Friday on the 7th of October and re-open on Sunday the 16th.

Personally, I will be finishing slightly early as I embark on the L5 Mount Kilimanjaro trip with 44 students from both campuses. However, should you have any questions surrounding the upcoming break, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate residential parent.

To our students, well done for embracing this chapter and have a well-deserved break.

Simon Johnston – Head of Residential Life

The first quarter has ended and our MYP learners have been engaged in so many learning experiences that are worth celebrating. We invite you to have conversations with them over the October break and reflect on the learning. What we gathered from students at the end of this quarter is definitely worth sharing: (These are direct messages from our MYP learners)

• MYP is not a scary experience.
• There is so much creativity in our learning.
• I am using what I have learned outside the classroom, and I am a balanced critical thinker.
• I struggle sometimes, but I change my mindset.
• Learning how to work with others is very important. It’s not just group work. It is actually collaborating in many ways.
• Time management is very important. I think the planners are very useful and help me learn, rest and fulfil all my requirements.
• We should not leave our learning until the summative time. It is important to learn every day.
• There is a difference between passing and being a good student. Taking what we learn outside the classroom, into the world, looking at global issues makes us transform into good students and then good people.
• Do not take the personal project lightly! This needs time and patience!
• Pay attention in class. Even if things are going on in our heads, we need to find the balance and focus on the activities to do well.

Have a wonderful week ahead and a restful break.

Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator

This past weekend Outdoor Pursuits Program sent out 35 students to Fish Eagle Point for their Reef Level 2 experience. The weekend included snorkeling, ocean floor exploring, reef analysis, stand-up paddle boarding and reef care. One major component for joining this Reefs trip is for students to continue the collaboration project between UWCEA and the Reef Rehabilitation Project at Fish Eagle Point. This project designs, develops and positions large steel reinforced concrete spheres into the ocean to encourage the reestablishment of ocean life in this area. The concrete spheres mimic ocean rock, which encourages water plant growth and shelter for sea creatures. This student led project has also created a raft and ratchet jack system that deposits these large concrete spheres in strategic places on the ocean floor. The efforts of these students are making a difference and are strengthening the regrowth of coral and other sea life in this coastal region by Fish Eagle point.

Here is a write-up from one of our D1 Students that joined the Reefs Level 2 Trip.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Helen Keller. The Reefs Level 2 OP trip thoroughly encapsulated this idea with the 5 activities it presented to us. From snorkeling among sea urchins and starfish as big as my head to late afternoon kayaking down the channels of the mangroves to cooking calamari and halloumi with the MYPs whilst the music of the ocean plays in the background. Apart from the early mornings and the sting of a sea urchin in your foot, this OP trip was a highlight in my few weeks here at UWCEA. To put it simply, the theme song for Reefs Level 2 was “The Happy Birthday Song”, in celebration of Mr. Ian’s birthday. Finally, with the help of our student leaders, Fabio and Benjamin, we were able to move 14 Coral Balls out to sea, in preparation for Level 4. Next stop, the PADI shop!”

Damien

Over the break students are heading up Kilimanjaro and then more trips in term 2.

Baden Dowie – Experiential Learning Coordinator

This week the D1 students have had the first CAS interviews. This is a chance for them to discuss their understanding of Creativity, Activity, Service and the CAS project. We then reviewed the documentation on Toddle. Students need to add evidence of their experiences and to write reflections to discuss what they have learned. Students were asked what excited them about CAS. Many students talked about how there was such variety, and they could do what interested them. Others mentioned that they appreciated that school gave them a chance to do many more things than their previous school. We talked about what they hoped to achieve. The answers to this included that they wanted to grow as a person and wanted to help people. When asked what they would remember students referred to their time with friends and helping people. These interviews were really enjoyable and hopefully students are better informed about what they need to do.

As we approach the end of the quarter, we have sports day. This is voluntary for DP students, but they must keep teachers informed about what they are doing. As we go into the break, I encourage students to be balanced. Yes, they may need to catch up on work but it is also a chance to stop, relax and enjoy themselves.

Margaret Brunt – Diploma Coordinator

MUN is an activity where youth represent countries and play an active role in problem solving and proposing resolutions; they play roles of representatives in the United Nations, and they debate to come up with a sustainable resolution that can be proposed to the United Nations. Throughout the weekend, incredible and powerful students from M3 till D2 took part in an MUN conference on Arusha campus. Over the course of the three days and 6 conference sessions, our delegates engaged in fruitful debates and proposed very creative sustainable resolutions within their committees; and they did a pretty amazing job.

For SOCHUM delegates, “it was very challenging, as it was my first ever conference, but I feel like I learned a lot of new things and valuable lessons. This committee was the biggest and that put students in a position of listening and enriched them…”. Another delegate in SOCHUM said, “This conference was very enriching and informative, because we had different levels of preparation, everyone pushed themselves to be better with public speaking; everyone did an amazing job. Over the rest of the conference, we participated in unmoderated and moderated caucuses where we discussed important topics such as refugee exploitation and found elaborative resolutions. It was a remarkable experience; we learned a lot and expanded our knowledge.”

In the UN Security Council, wonders unfolded. Our representatives had the wildest of moments in the debates; our representative from the UK tried to expel Russia from the General Assembly with reference to international law. Though, after that happening, the 6 delegates in the council, despite the clashes, had the delegate of the Russian Federation find a way to convince everyone to vote for his resolution.

Overall, between the people who went, our honorable students, Kasparas (D2) got an award representing Latvia in ECOSOC, Nojus (D1) got an award representing Greece in SOCHUM, Timanoi (M3) got an award representing Uganda in AU, Jonatan (D2) got a best delegate award representing the Russian Federation in UNSC, and I won 2 awards representing the UK in the UNSC.

Ziad – D2

The Primary Athletics Day is Tuesday, the 4th of October. Parents are invited to come a cheer on their children as students compete in a variety of track and field events. Events are scheduled to start at 8am and finish about 12pm with the normal break time. The students should wear a house shirt and bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. 

On Wednesday, the 5th of October we have the secondary Athletics Day with all MYP students and some DP students.   Secondary students should also wear a house shirt and bring a water bottle, a hat and sunscreen. The events run from the start of school through about 2pm.

We hope everyone does their best and has a good time this week.

Application Season

Application season is now open. Students who are preparing to submit their applications early in the UK and USA are busily working to get all materials in and approved for submission.

For the UK, students wanting to study medicine, law, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or conservatory programs have a deadline of October 15, 2022. Decision dates will vary depending on the program and university.

For students intending to apply to the US, Early Decision (binding agreement, only one college), or Early Action (non-binding agreement, can be several colleges) the deadline is November 1, 2022. Students often will have a decision on admission by mid-December.

Applying early to a university in the US can greatly help increase a student’s chances of admission if the student has a large financial need. Many colleges are need-aware in their admissions process, meaning that when considering students for admissions, they are aware of their financial needs. Need awareness is taken into account when institutions are highly selective and most colleges have limited need-based aid budgets.

Check with your student to determine if they are applying early to the US.

Students applying for regular admission to the UK or USA should be working on their final ‘applying to list’, securing their recommendation letters, and working on their personal statements.

Students applying to Europe can relax a bit and focus on their academics this semester as the application process opens up in the Spring and continues into summer (March up to July but may vary depending on the country). Students applying to Europe should be working on their resumes and finalizing their college application list.

Upcoming University Events-Parents and Students Welcome

October 3, 2022– Six USA colleges and universities [St. Olaf College, St. John’s College, Whitman College, Concordia College at Morehead, College of the Atlantic, and Earlham College] will be In-Person in Karibu (KHall) Hall to introduce their institutions to interested D1 and D2 students. This will be a mini college fair-style presentation from 10:15-11:20 am. Students interested in an interview with any or all of the institutions present will be able to talk with a representative from 3:30-5 pm in Rafiki Hall. Students should check their email for a signup sheet and walk-ins will be taken.

Andrea Kitomary – University Counselor

I have the honor to meet with all P2-P6 students every other week in our Lifeskills program. This quarter we have started exploring the benefits mindfulness and how being mindful can support us in our everyday life. We usually start every class with a small, guided mindfulness practice or breathing exercise, and it is wonderful to follow the students as they curiously find their rhythm through the practice.

Our last classes have been focused around the term UPSTANDER, what it means and how we can foster a safe and supportive school environment by being one. An upstander is someone who recognizes when something is wrong and does something to make it right. We have talked about the 4 key ways to be an upstander – Be a buddy, Interrupt, Speak out, Tell an adult – and what we can say and/or do in certain situations.

Have a chat about it with your child at home to learn more and ask if there has been situations that where he/she was an upstander, and talk about different ways to be an upstander. Kindness always wins!

Please reach out if you have any concerns regarding your child’s well-being.

Frida Marealle – Socio-Emotional counselor

There’s just a week to go until the October break but there are no signs of things winding down in the PYP. The P6 class went out on a field trip on Thursday. Many thanks to Mama Simreet for facilitating this visit to the family farm to learn about plants and irrigation. The P6 children will follow up with an in-class, plant based feast on Monday. In Friday’s primary gathering the P2/3 class presented on the importance of friendship. The P2/3s then hosted a friendship picnic in Ms. Anna’s garden for all of the PYP children. What a lovely way to end the week!

Looking ahead we have a Crazy Hair themed spirit day on Monday – thank you to the Student Voice for organising this. Tuesday is PYP athletics day. The children will be participating in 2 track events and 2 field events of their choosing – parents are welcome to come along to lend support. The day will begin at 8:00am and end before lunch. The children should wear a house shirt, a sun hat and sunscreen. Each child should bring a named water bottle.  On Wednesday we will have 3 way conferences between the teacher, parent(s) and child. Thursday is our last day of classes – we will finish at the normal time. After school clubs will run on Monday and Tuesday. There will be no clubs on Wednesday or Thursday. Please make a note that the afternoon of October 28th is the PYP Halloween celebration. This is an optional event, held outside of school hours. Also, please keep an eye out for a letter regarding the production of Beauty and the Beast. The arts department would like to know how many children will be participating in the performance and will be asking you to fill in a slip so that they can plan accordingly.

Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator

As we come to the end of the first quarter, let us reflect on the growth of the children and celebrate them all. This week, they interviewed a couple of teachers and learned more about their roles. P2/3 gave them an awesome opportunity to make new friends with more of the children in the PYP classes. It was wonderful to see them interacting with them during the friendship picnic.

Thank you to all who have filled in the goal sheet which was sent home this week. If you have not already done so, please do and send it in on Monday. The sheets will help us prepare for the meetings on Wednesday.

In the coming week, Monday and Thursday will be normal days but Tuesday and Wednesday will not. Please note the PYP section of the newsletter.

I am looking forward to meeting some of you on Wednesday and others who are traveling, when we return from the short break for our goal setting conferences.

Mboka Mwasongwe

Hooray for FRIENDS! Friday was a wonderful wrap-up to a delightful unit. The class was very proud of themselves for their ability to share their learning in the Primary Gathering. They had such fun thinking about and preparing their ingredients for the “Friendship Soup.” The highlight of the unit was the Friendship Picnic. We had brainstormed activities and practiced games. The class had decided that it would be fun to split up the whole PYP into groups so that we could make new friendships – it really worked! Please ask your child about the fun that was had in Dr Anna’s garden.

We’re looking forward to more excitement next week with Crazy Hair Day, Sports Day and Goal Setting Conferences. Reading books will be sent home on Monday as well as the goal sheet that I mentioned in my email on Thursday. We will not be able to have our normal PE Swim on Tuesday. As already mentioned in the newsletter, clubs will proceed as usual on Monday and Tuesday only.

Kacey Buckly

On Monday, the P4/5 children presented their simple machines to the other PYP classes. There was a lot of laughter and enthusiasm as bubble blowing machines, catapults, ferris wheels, buggies and marble runs were demonstrated. Next week we will be starting our new unit of inquiry.

 

Central idea: Natural hazards that result from earth processes often require human intervention.

Lines of inquiry:

• Features of extreme weather, earthquakes and volcanoes
• How humans and animals respond to changing weather patterns.
• Interventions to manage natural hazards

In maths we will be working with angles and using a protractor. In language the children will continue working on an alphabetical book of verbs.

Please note, Monday is crazy hair day. Tuesday is PYP Athletics Day and the children should wear a house shirt if they have one. I look forward to seeing you, along with your child, at the parent teacher conferences on Wednesday. Thursday will be the last day of classes and we will finish at the normal time.

Deborah Mills

The penultimate week of term is over and it’s all flying by! Our “main event” this week was a trip to Soweto in Moshi to see how plants were grown in a family holding, then onto an education project about the best methods of irrigation. We were kindly hosted by Simreet’s family, and all learnt a lot from the day and had a good time too. In class the children wrote fiction stories about plants: some shared some of the science facts we’ve learnt about plants this term while others were pure creativity. Our class novel, “The Iron Woman”, that we read collaboratively is drawing near its end and it’s good to see the children applying their speculation skills as to what will happen next. Next Tuesday sees our athletics day and it will be good for them to put their skills on show and hopefully beat some of their times / distances they recorded earlier in the term. On Monday, we have our Plant Based Feast: if you can, please send a plant-based meal in with your child and we will all share/try different things.

Hywel Davies