Moshi Campus News – 21 Mar 2026

As we enter the last week of the term, it is interesting to look back over the weeks and see all that has been going on. We have had the opportunity to experience cultural events, productions, and art displays; to get involved in academic competitions, service activities, outdoor pursuits, and field trips. There has been something for everyone no matter what your taste.

This week we continue with events. Our P6 students will share their experiences in the PYPx on Wednesday as you can see in the invitation below. As well, we will have the end of term assembly on Thursday morning so feel free to join us then.

Thank you to the parents that joined us for the Secondary Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday. It is always good to connect through more than report cards. The Primary Student Led Conferences for EC to P5 are on Tuesday. Parents, please remember the signup closes at 7am on Monday.

This is our last newsletter before the April break. We will have our next one just before the break ends. Please remember, classes start on April 13th.

For the break we wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

On Wednesday, Eric (P6) and the secondary school KCMC service group organised a combined filling bottles with sand activity for the spinal patients to use as weights. This event was a big success and the students filled over 100 plastic bottles. EC/P1 had their OP Experience Day on Thursday of the past week. They braved the mud to explore the Rau Forest (see photo). Luke, Adrian, Alyssa, Benny and Jeremy all participated in the first round of the South African Maths Competition – well done for being risk takers!

We have 2 big events in the primary school next week:

Student Led Conferences on Tuesday, 24th March.

We have new families in the primary school who will not have experienced a Student Led Conference (SLC) at UWC before so I am outlining the routine below. There will be more than one family in the classroom. The teacher will be present to support the child if necessary to remind them what to do next but the conference is led by the student. The children have decided what to share with you – some have selected a lot and some have selected less so it is not possible to say how long the conference will last. Most families are in the classroom for 30 – 60 minutes. A reminder that the sign up for conferences will close at 7am on Monday.

P6 PYP Exhibition Wednesday, 25th March 5:30 – 8:00pm

This is one of the highlights of the primary school year as our oldest class put all their skills together to present on a topic of their choice. The P6 class is a small class, they have worked hard and they would like to have an audience for their presentations so please come along to support them. The PYPX will start at 5:30pm in Rafiki Hall. The photo in Ms. Elisha’s newsletter shows the display boards ready and waiting – all the children need is you!

Primary Clubs

Primary clubs have finished for the quarter. There will also be no Saturday football on the 21st and 28th March due to holidays. Sign up for clubs will be emailed next quarter when the schedule is complete. We rely on parent and Diploma students support for our clubs programme and next quarter the DP students will be busy with exams so please consider volunteering.

Movie Night

On Thursday, 26th March, 4 – 6pm, there is a primary movie night organised by the Student Voice in Rafiki Hall. Students can come dressed in pyjamas with their pillows, little blanket and a squishy toy. The cost is 2000 Shillings and will include a drink and snack. Snacks will be popcorn, a muffin and biscuits. Tickets are available on the door. We will watch Paddington (2014) together.

Primary Gathering

The children are busy practicing for the Swahili themed primary gathering on the last day of the quarter, Friday, 27th March, at 7:40am in Rafiki Hall. All of the children will be participating. We hope you will be able to attend.

Pizza party!

On the same Friday, at 10:50am, the children will enjoy cartoons and pizza as the prize for their wonderfully decorated classroom doors for Book Week. Classes will end at 12:30pm on Friday, 27th March. As there will be no newsletter next Friday, I will take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable break with your children. Classes will resume on Monday, 13th April.

Deborah Mills – Head of PYP

We are ready for you next week — PYPX and the Easter Break are officially within reach! After much toil and trouble, we are good to go and looking forward to hosting PYP, MYP, Arusha Campus, parents, UWCEA, the Moshi community, PPA, and Kibo Shanty School. The students are prepared, running like a well-oiled machine, and finally looking excited — whether that’s for presenting or simply reaching the finish line is still up for debate.

Please take a moment to read the email carefully for details on dress code, what students need to bring, and the timing of presentations.

Elisha Jaffer

We have come to the end of our unit of inquiry about food production. As a follow up to last week’s wonderful visit to the Mtuy Farm, we used avocados to make guacamole and desserts. We also visited the community garden with Mr. Will to learn how to make compost. It was so much fun, pushing the wheelbarrow, shovelling compost and using magnifying glasses. Thank you Mr. Will for giving up your time to teach the children.

Our new unit of inquiry has the transdisciplinary theme: How the world works.

Central idea: The design of buildings and structures is dependent upon their purpose, the  environment and available materials.

The lines of inquiry are:

• The purposes and functions of different buildings and structures 
• How environmental conditions influence building design 
• The impact of available materials on how buildings are constructed 
• How building impacts on the environment

The children have selected work to show you at Tuesday’s Student Led Conferences. They are also looking forward to playing some maths games and language games with you.

Deborah Mills

Despite being sorry to move away from our study of Space, the class was excited about our jump into our Endangered Animals Unit. This week was spent establishing our foundation. We defined terms like ‘habitat’ and ‘species.’ We sorted animals, first into vertebrates and invertebrates and then into the 5 classes of vertebrates: mammal, bird, fish, reptile and amphibian. Some students already knew facts about these groups but everyone was excited to learn more!

We are looking forward to sharing our learning with you on Tuesday at the Student-Led Conferences. This quarter has been filled with so many good things in our classroom and out. Please do come on Friday to the Kiswahili Primary Gathering.

Kacey Buckley

The highlight of our week was our trip to Rau Forest. We had an adventurous time trekking through mud, spying out minibeasts, seeing the black and white colobus monkeys and exploring around the 200 year old Mvule tree. With all the thunderous rain the night before our trip, we are glad we made it there and back safely. Thank you Mama Zayn for joining our team. Thank you OP team for arranging the trip for us and taking care of all the logistics. Thank you to our awesome drivers Mr. Shemboko and Mr. Rajabu for getting us through the mud to our destinations.

Next week will be the last week of the quarter. There will be no home learning nor borrowing books from the library. The students are excited to share their work with you on Tuesday during the Student Led Conferences.

Mboka Mwasongwe

Interschool Swimming Gala

Last weekend, the Moshi Campus swim team traveled to Arusha to compete in the Interschool Swimming Gala on the 13th and 14th. Excitement was high, with some day scholars starting their journey as early as 5:00 am to get to school. Despite the tough competition, our swimmers gave their all up until the very last race. Their performances were impressive, with strong results in individual events.

With both the PYP on Friday and the MYP/DP on Saturday our athletes competed in multiple back-to-back races, which made point accumulation more challenging. We applaud their efforts. For the secondary the weather impacted the travel making for an even longer day.

Congratulations to the Moshi Swim Team! Your resilience, determination, and teamwork were inspiring to watch as you strove for victory in some of the races. We encourage parents to motivate their children to take part in school events. Participation not only boosts morale but also supports holistic development and instills pride in representing their school. 

“When you dive into the pool wearing your school’s colours, every stroke becomes more than just a race—it’s a statement of pride, unity, and the honour of carrying your team’s name across the water.” Waterslava.com

Lerato Pheko

It’s been a busy week, with lots of learning happening both inside and outside the classroom… many moments where things are really starting to come to life. Students are on a roll, and teachers are in full stride, keeping the momentum going.

Somehow, it feels like we’ve packed more than a typical week into the usual number of days…
Enjoy this week’s highlights, and to those celebrating, wishing you a warm and joyful Eid El Fitr.

M3 – Science
The M3 Science Fair was a truly inspiring showcase of inquiry, creativity, and scientific thinking. Our students demonstrated not only a strong understanding of scientific concepts, but also the confidence and communication skills to share their learning with a wider audience. From designing investigations to analyzing results and engaging in meaningful discussions, it was clear that students were owning their learning every step of the way. What stood out most was how our students embodied the spirit of the MYP approaching challenges with curiosity, thinking critically, and reflecting on their processes. They were not just presenting projects; they were telling the story of their learning journeys. A huge thank you to everyone who came to support! Your questions and engagement made the experience even more authentic and meaningful for our young scientists. We are incredibly proud of our M3 students…they truly shined! Thank you Ms. Mika, Mr. Chris and Mr. Ramy for your guidance and being awesome Science teachers!

M2 – Music
Our M2 Music students didn’t just present once… they committed to the full process and delivered all three of their differentiated presentations on famous composers and the growth from one to the next was clear.

Students were challenged to think: Is this age-appropriate? Is my audience actually engaged? What makes this different from a “typical” presentation? Am I covering the key details while also sharing my perspective?

From exploring composers’ lives, inspirations, and musical styles to reflecting on their importance and influence, students really began to understand that presenting is about communication not just content. And let’s just say… Some of them definitely found ways to keep us on our toes (Thanks Ambreen and Alice!). Thank you Ms. Jamie for inviting us to see this!

M1 – Language and Literature
Our M1 Language & Literature students recently stepped outside the classroom and into Rau Forest as part of their Poetry in Verses unit and it was exactly what the learning needed.

With a focus on descriptive writing and sensory language, students used the natural environment as their inspiration, observing, listening, and capturing details that simply cannot be replicated on a worksheet. It was really nice to see them slow down, notice the small things, and begin translating those observations into vivid, descriptive language.

This experience was not just about “going on a trek”, it was about deepening their understanding of how writers use sensory detail to bring their ideas to life. Thank you Ms. Vagisha for a great reminder that sometimes, the best way to improve writing… is to step outside and experience it first.

M1 – Science
In M1 Science, students took their understanding of plant cells to the next level by quite literally building one together. Using clay, the class collaborated to create one large 3D model of a plant cell, turning an abstract concept into something tangible, visual, and a little messy (but definitely worth it).

This was not just about making a model, it was about thinking together. Students had to consider where each organelle belongs, how everything connects, and why each part matters. It pushed them to move beyond memorization and really understand the structure and function of the cell as a system. It was great to see the level of collaboration, problem-solving, and shared ownership throughout the process. It is a strong reminder that when students build learning together, it sticks.

One cell, many hands… and a lot of clay later.

M5 – One Step Closer to DP
Our M5 students recently had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Dowie (Head of DP) and Ms. E (College Counselor) for an engaging and insightful Q&A session. It was really nice to see students asking thoughtful questions, thinking ahead, and beginning to picture what their next steps might look like.

From future doctors and engineers to emerging business minds, it’s clear that this cohort is already starting to shape its path with intention and curiosity. The conversations were honest, practical, and exactly what students need at this stage… some clarity, reassurance, and a bit of inspiration. Next up is our Subject Fair on April 14th, where students will meet DP teachers, explore subject choices more deeply, and continue asking the questions that will help them make informed decisions.

Exciting times ahead and this is where it all starts to come together.

MYP Dates to Remember

• March 27th – Classes End Q3
• March 28th to April 12th – Spring Break (Inclusive)
• April 13th – Q4 Begins & Classes Resume at 7:30 am

Have a wonderful week,
Farah Fawaz – Head of MYP

A team of our students will be presenting their project for the Young Auroa award on Thursday 26th March at 4:00 pm GMT.

Please follow this link to register to watch.
The event will start with presentations by our group and two other ones. Then there will be a panel discussion and finally an announcement of the winners.

We would like to wish our students luck and thank everyone who has helped them.

Dear UWCEA Community,

We are almost there.

The end of the quarter is within reach, and you can feel it in the air, that particular mix of tiredness and anticipation that only comes around at this time of year. Some of you are already mentally packing your bags, imagining home, and the people you have been missing. Others are finishing final things, trying to close out the quarter on a strong note. And others yet are feeling all of it at once, and honestly, that makes complete sense.

Be kind to yourselves in these last few days. Rest when you can. Eat something proper. And if things are feeling heavy, please reach out to a friend, a teacher, or anyone in Student Life. You do not have to carry it alone. April break is coming, and for those heading home, we hope it gives you exactly what you need: warmth, rest, your people, your food, your own bed. You have earned every bit of it.

But before we get there, what a quarter it has been.

Last week felt like a proper send-off to everything this term has held. The D2 Final Art Exhibition and the Evening of the Arts were the kind of evenings that linger. Walking through the exhibition, stopping in front of a piece that catches you off guard, watching a performance that makes the room go still, there is something deeply moving about witnessing your peers be brave enough to share what they have made. These weren’t just assignments completed. They were pieces of people, put out into the world. That takes courage, and every student who showed up in that way deserves to know it was felt.

Our Italian and Pakistani students also brought their culture into our shared space this week, generously and joyfully, in the way that only happens when people truly want to let others in.

And to everyone celebrating Eid and Nowruz, Eid Mubarak and Happy Nowruz. May this season bring you peace, joy, and time with the people who matter most to you.

Before we break, don’t miss these:

• Eid Celebrations – Saturday Evening 5:00 – 6:00 pm @Makutano
• End-of-Quarter Assembly – Thursday morning 10:30 – 11:30 K-Hall

We will see you on the other side, rested, restored, and ready for whatever comes next.

Enjoy the break!
Adnan Mackovic – Head of Student Life

We are half way through the D2 student CAS presentations and Margaret (our CAS coordinator) and I always say this is our favourite time of year! In their final presentation, the D2 students share how they have contributed beyond the classroom, in creativity, activity and service experiences. We’ve heard about students learning to swim, starting services that reach into the local community, football coaching clinics, learning a new language, writing poetry, climbing mountains, building school supplies, early morning runs, debates and conferences…the list goes on! We hope that this focus on balance, outward facing service and inward facing reflection will stay with the students long after they leave UWCEA.

The D2s also finished their Language Acquisition orals. Safi sana! Bravo! Bien hecho! Well done! These will be submitted to the IB in the next few weeks.

We enjoyed meeting the parents at the parent-teacher conferences this Tuesday and Thursday. Education doesn’t exist in a vacuum and parents still play a vital role in encouraging and motivating their children, even if they are far away.

The DP students visited the M3 Science Fair in K-Hall this week and gave them encouraging feedback and suggestions for future experiments. The IB’s focus on research and inquiry continues into Diploma and culminates in the Extended Essay. On the note, the D1s have started meeting with their supervisors for their Extended Essays and should be beginning their research. .

We are all looking forward to the April break which starts next week. While almost all internal work is now completed, our Theatre students continue to work hard to finish their final performances. It will be a busy week for them!

Catherine Dowie – Head of Diploma

The DP2 Visual Arts Exhibition on 12 March was a vibrant and heartfelt celebration of our students’ creativity and hard work, after what one could define as “Artistic chaos” in the days leading up to it. After months (and quite a few late nights!) of experimenting, problem-solving, and refining their ideas, the students transformed Karibu-Hall into a gallery full of bold, personal, and thought-provoking work. It was a delight to witness collaboration with how the students pulled their exhibition together, and watch them confidently stand beside their pieces, sharing their journeys with visitors. The exhibition was a wonderful evening all round, and the students are commended for their energy and talents which they brought to their exhibition. Congratulations D2s!

Claudia Plunkett

The D2 Biology students recently travelled to Morogoro for an exciting Biology field trip that combined scientific learning with shared adventure. After a long but lively bus journey, we set up camp beneath the Uluguru Mountains and began our visit to the APOPO HeroRAT training centre. We learned how Giant African Pouched Rats are trained to detect tuberculosis and landmines using their remarkable sense of smell. After an introduction by Lily Shalom, a former ISM student who now works at APOPO, we watched a rat screen over 50 sputum samples for tuberculosis and toured the laboratory seeing sterilisation processes, a PCR machine, and centrifugation equipment we had previously studied in class. It was genuinely exciting to see classroom theory applied in real life. We were lucky enough to also observe a positive TB sample under the microscope and we later watched a training session for the detection of TNT. We saw rats at different stages of training and life, from young trainees to retired “heroes.” Overall, the experience brought classroom biology to life and gave us a memorable opportunity to learn together outside school.

Theo (D2)

Women’s Day Activities
Following International Women’s Day, the sustainability committee organized an activity to raise awareness about this day. This activity was done within MYP and DP mentor groups. Following inspiration from a real-life social experiment, students were separated into two groups by gender. Students were then prompted to think and answer them like the opposite gender to questions such as: what characteristics/ behaviours can be defined as masculine or feminine? Should your wife work? / Should you work? Should your daughter go to school? This created many discussions about gender stereotypes and women’s rights in different countries. But the main takeaway from this is learning that even if we think that we don’t experience these issues firsthand, they are still underlying concerns affecting our daily lives.

Community Cleanup Drive
On Saturday, March 14, the Sustainability Committee organized a community cleanup drive around Shanty Town in collaboration with Tunza Foundation. Starting from the school at 8:00 a.m., the initiative brought together foundation members, school families, students, and teachers, reflecting a strong collective commitment to environmental responsibility. By the end of the morning, a total of 243 kg of waste had been collected. While participants encountered significant pollution, including large concentrations of waste along roads leading to the river, the experience also opened constructive dialogue with a local government representative. This engagement has led to plans for identifying and reporting pollution hotspots, offering a hopeful step toward more sustained action and accountability in the future.