Moshi Campus News – 24 Oct 2026

We are into second half of the semester already and things have settled into normal very quickly after the break. Between now and December break there is a lot happening from smaller events like primary gatherings to much larger events like Sports Weekend. I encourage you to keep an eye on the school calendar so that you know what is happening on campus.

Speaking of which, on Monday there is a secondary assembly, and parents are invited. This is a welcome back assembly with a few surprises that we will share pictures of in the next newsletter.

Parents of secondary students should also remember that on Tuesday November 3rd from 1pm to 5pm and Thursday the 5th from 7:30am to 11am we have conferences. The notification went out earlier this week with instructions, and please remember to sign up and indicate if you will be joining virtually or in person. There will be no classes for secondary students, but primary classes will be unaffected.

The work on our outdoor courts is nearing completion, and I will share pictures next week. The work on the new residential facilities has started with site preparation and we hope to break ground soon.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

 

 

Attention all Uja Families! Please save the date for an Uja Family Picnic. We will gather on Saturday, November 28 for a picnic at Namalok. More details will follow soon. Please email ujaprogram@uwcea.org.

Dear UWCEA Community,

Welcome back to Quarter 2. It’s great to have everyone back on campus – the days before that were very quiet.

This quarter will get busier for our D2s as they finalize their university applications, and as our D1 and MYP students start preparing for end-of-semester exams.

But before any of that, we end the week on a high note: a successful blood drive organized yesterday on our campus and UK cultural night this Sunday. Please join us in Makutano Lounge at 7:00 pm.

Finally, our Quarter 2 kickoff assembly is on Monday at 10:30 am in K-Hall. Please join us if you are in Moshi.

Best,
Adnan Mackovic – Head of Student Life

The heat has hit Moshi and we are making our way through long, hot days. The D2s are feeling the pressure as their first reporting semester comes to an end but spirits are high and they are demonstrating resilience and strength. Asking for help is a core component of strength too so please encourage students to reach out if they need help. On Saturday, students attended the EE Lockdown which gave them the opportunity to finish their final essay. Well done to them all!

DP French
In French this week, our Higher Level (HL) French D2 students had the privilege of engaging in an insightful discussion with Professor Laurent Fontanelli, Chair of Geosciences at the prestigious UniLaSalle Institute in Beauvais, France.

Demonstrating an exceptional command of high-level technical French, the students engaged in a 75-minute exchange on a wide range of complex topics, including the latest techniques in CO2 and hydrogen storage, the impact of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and environmental pollution in developed nations. Professor Fontanelli expressed high praise for UWCEA Moshi students, commending their fluency in French, professional approach, and the depth of their inquiries. It was a proud moment for their supervising teacher, who guided them through this high-level dialogue with a native speaker. Thanks to Ms Nourhane for arranging this.

DP Art
D2 Visual Arts students are developing their Connection Studies and Artist Projects while experimenting with materials, techniques, and ideas for their portfolios. Alongside meeting their IB Visual Arts requirements, they are creating artworks, investigating connections between art and the world around them, and developing their individual approaches to artistic expression. Special thanks to Mr Ramy.

D1 Project Week
Parents and community members are warmly invited to our D1 Project Week Fair on Tuesday at 11.30 in K-Hall. Students will be sharing their projects and what they learnt. Thanks to Ms Faiza who has played an integral role in supporting the projects and you can see details about a few projects at the end of the newsletter.

Swahili Field Trip
The Swahili Ab Initio class have a field trip this Friday. Parents must ensure they have given permission to attend on Life. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the culture and nature of East Africa, which is one of our core UWCEA values. Thanks to Ms Linda for organising this.

Parent-Teacher conferences
Parents should be signing up for parent-teacher conferences now. This is the best opportunity to connect with teachers and learn how your child is doing. Students are expected to attend too.
Tuesday 3 November: 13.00 – 17.00
Thursday 5 November: 7.30 – 11.00

Catherine Dowie – Head of Diploma

We are incredibly proud to share that 116 blood donations were collected against our target of 100 on Friday’s blood drive!

A heartfelt thank you to the National Blood Bank of Tanzania, KCMC Hospital, all our donors, and everyone who contributed to this success.

With 450 ml per donation, we collected a total of 52.2 liters of blood!

This achievement shows what we can accomplish when we come together for a meaningful cause. Thank you all for your dedication, generosity, and teamwork. Every drop counts, every donation matters!

KCMC Service

Welcome back to Q2! After the October break, we picked up right where we left off, with students and teachers jumping straight back into the rhythm of learning. It has been a busy and engaging first week, with plenty of inquiry, collaboration and opportunities for students to challenge their thinking. As always in the MYP, we want our students to do more than simply learn about the world. We want them to question it, make connections and find their place within it. A quick reminder that our Secondary Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) will take place on November 3rd (afternoon) and November 5th (morning). Parents are encouraged to book their appointments using the sign-up information and guidance shared by Mr. Cofer via email. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to reflect on students’ progress, celebrate their growth and discuss next steps together.

Wishing everyone a great start to the quarter!

M1 Integrated Sciences
Our M1 students put their engineering and problem-solving skills to the test this week with the Egg Drop Challenge! Taking on the role of young engineers, students were tasked with choosing and trying protective packaging that would keep a raw egg safe when dropped from a set height.

They explored different materials, tested their ideas and made decisions about how best to protect their rather fragile passengers! The real test came when each packaged egg was dropped from the same height to see which would survive the fall.

Beyond the excitement of the challenge, students explored the science behind forces and impact while practising collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. A great reminder that science is not just about understanding how things work, but also about using that understanding to solve problems!

M4 Language and Literature English
Our M4 students kicked off their new Slam Poetry unit this week with a rather unusual provocation! Students walked around campus wearing labels attached to their chests, inviting others to react to them based on the words they displayed.

What began as a simple activity quickly opened up conversations about identity, assumptions and the power of words. How do labels shape the way we see others? What happens when someone else gets to define who we are? And how often do we make judgments without knowing someone’s story?

These questions will guide students as they explore slam poetry as a powerful form of self-expression, one that challenges stereotypes, questions expectations and gives people a voice.

M5 Language and Literature English
Our M5 students began their new unit by tackling some challenging questions about power, inequality and the systems that shape our lives. Rather than jumping straight into their novel, The Hate U Give, students explored Tupac Shakur’s concept of “THUG LIFE” and considered how individual experiences can be influenced by wider social structures.

The conversations then took an interesting turn as students examined the question: Is the system working? Working in groups, they explored different perspectives, questioned who benefits from existing systems and considered what happens when those systems fail the people they are meant to serve.

Through debate, discussion and critical thinking, students are beginning to recognise that conflict is rarely as simple as right versus wrong. These early inquiries are laying the groundwork for their reading of The Hate U Give, where they will continue examining the relationships between power, identity, justice and individual responsibility.

MYP Dates to Remember

• October 26th – First Q2 Assembly
• October 28th – Secondary Athletics Day
• November 3rd – Secondary PTCs (Afternoon)
• November 5th – Secondary PTCs (Morning)
• November 20th to 22nd – Sports Weekend
• December 3rd – Evening of the Arts
• December 11th – Classes End (Q2)
• December 12th to January 13th – December Break

Have a beautiful week ahead!
Farah Fawaz – Head of MYP

Welcome back to Quarter 2. Last quarter ended with a day of celebration. Thank you to Ms. Elisha for organising the House Zipline Challenge on the last day of Quarter 1. The children had a great time. Congratulations to Mawenzi for finishing in first place. The house challenge was followed by a friendship picnic and games – many thanks to Ms. Sarah and the P3/4 children. The weather was not kind to us but this event was swiftly modified to take place indoors and everyone enjoyed themselves. Many thanks to everyone who contributed food to the picnic. What a lovely way to finish the quarter.

On Friday (yesterday) our PYP football players had a friendly tournament against Kibo Shanty. Our girls’ team were narrowly beaten (2:1) and our boys’ team lost on penalties. Well done to both our teams and congratulations on some great play and excellent sportsmanship.

Clubs will start on Monday, 26th October and will finish on Thursday, 3rd December. If you missed the sign up, please email me on deborahmills@uwcea.org. Please note that Minecraft and Cooking are now full.

The swimming pool will be closed on Monday as our swimming coaches are off to Kennedy House for the day to train with the olympic swimmer, Emma Igelström.

On Tuesday, 27th October, we will have our PYP athletics day, starting at 8:00am, and you are warmly invited to attend. The day will follow a new format – thank you to Coach T and Ms. Sarah for all of their work organising this. The children have selected their activities and will move around 3 zones – a track zone, a jump zone and a throwing zone. Please see the separate email that has been sent to you containing full details. We would love to have some parent volunteers helping out at the different events – please email me if you are interested in doing this.

Children will need:

• A house shirt
• Appropriate running shoes
• A named, refillable water bottle – this is very important
• A nutritious snack
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen

Many thanks to the PTA who plan to sell snacks and iced lattes at the event. Make sure you bring your running shoes as we hope to have a parents’ race!

Friday, 13th November will be our dress up carnival. Each class is collecting wrapped sweets to be distributed at the event – please could you start sending these to school from Monday. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to run a trunk or table top game. There is a sign up sheet on the board outside the P3/4 classroom or you can email me to confirm your participation. It would be very helpful if your game could be moved indoors in case of wet weather but we appreciate that this is not always possible.

Important dates

• Monday, 26th October – Primary clubs start
• Tuesday 27th October – PYP Athletics Day 8:00am onwards
• Friday, 30th October – EC Primary Gathering & SCIS Swim Gala
• Friday, 6th November – Athletics Meet at Arusha Campus
• Thursday, 12th November – Primary Gathering (Daycare Graduation rehearsal)
• Friday, 13th November – Dress up carnival 2 – 4pm
• Friday, 27th November – Primary Gathering (Kiswahili)
• Thursday, 3rd December – Last day of clubs
• Tuesday 8th December – Parent Teacher conferences
• Wednesday 9th December – Public holiday
• Friday, 11th December – Primary Gathering (Art Exhibition) & Last day of classes

Deborah Mills – Head of PYP

It was lovely to welcome the children back to school and listen to their exciting holiday stories!

This week, as part of our Who We Are unit, we explored how our choices can keep us safe and healthy. Through stories and discussions, we learned about carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, discovering which foods contain these nutrients and how they help our bodies grow, build muscles, and stay healthy.

We explored the importance of exercise and enjoyed a Bike and Scooter Day, practising safety rules such as wearing helmets and looking ahead while riding. We also discussed swimming safety and the importance of following instructions in and around water.

Through these hands-on experiences, the children connected their learning to real life and discovered how making healthy and safe choices helps us take responsibility for our well-being!

Manal El Dahwish

What a wonderful start to the new quarter. We have had many fun activities, from sharing our holiday news to starting a new writing unit to having our first session with Dr. Daniella.

We welcomed Mia back to our class this week. The children were happy to have her join us again.

We have begun a new writing unit, and we will be learning how to write repeat books. This coming week, we will be making a repeat book on our family. Please remind the children of aunt and uncle names, as we will be using them in our books.

Dr. Daniella joined us this Wednesday and introduced the class to the different layers we have in our body. ‘What is inside my body?’ is the question that she asked the children. They explored the different layers in preparation for next week’s investigations. Next Wednesday, they will explore bones, muscles, and movement.

Homelearning will begin again this Monday. Please remember that it is due on Friday so that we have time to prepare it for the following Monday.

Mboka Mwasongwe

What a busy and exciting week we’ve had! We dove right into our new unit, exploring how moving to a new place can change people’s lives and the communities they join. The children filled our wonder wall with thoughtful questions and sorted the reasons people move into “push” and “pull” factors. We’ve also been reading The Journey by Francesca Sanna together, which has led to some lovely, caring conversations.

In maths, we have become data detectives! The children designed their own class survey, collected the results with tally charts, and showed what they found using bar graphs, Venn diagrams and Carroll diagrams. Our P4s have also been working on clever ways to multiply by splitting arrays, while our P3s have been building their number facts to 20.

In literacy, the children have started planning and writing their own journey stories. P3 have been practising question marks and the tricky “wr” spelling pattern (why is there a w in write?), and P4 have been using fronted adverbials to begin their sentences, along with words that have silent letters, like climb and science.

Sarah Vrontamitis

We made good headway with our unit of inquiry this week. The children considered what an organisation was, using UWCEA as a case study. They considered the systems that need to be in place for the organisation to work well. Next week we will look at the organisation WaterAid and how it protects human rights. We would like to visit some NGOs in the local community to learn how their systems work. If you have any contacts or suggestions, please get in touch. In maths we have been revising different mental addition strategies and next week we will be focusing on subtraction strategies. The photo shows the children investigating buoyancy with plasticine and marbles – this activity was very wet but a lot of fun. Please note that Tuesday is athletics day and we hope to see many of you there.

Deborah Mills

This week, P6 explored what creativity is and discovered that it is not limited to Art—it can be found in music, cooking, sport and the way we solve problems.

We also began our new Unit of Inquiry with interdependence. Using their own ideas, students created the definition: “Different things rely on one another to grow and survive.” They explored this concept, applied it to Namalok and began investigating their own case studies.

In Art, students examined the issues affecting their chosen places and began planning how to communicate them visually. They explored mixed media, considered how different art techniques could be combined and thought carefully about which materials would help bring their ideas to life.

Elisha Jaffer

These are three of the projects that students were involved in for project week. We invite you to join us Tuesday at 11:30am in K-hall to learn more about these and all the other projects from that week.

Ms Faiza

Our team adapted the Technovation Girls program, which was previously implemented in Chile, to welcome both boys and girls here in Tanzania. Partnering with the TEDI Foundation, we brought this initiative to one of their schools, where students explored their curiosity to solve local social issues and created their own mobile app prototypes. Throughout this journey, the students learned the basics of business management and entrepreneurship, finishing the week with an exciting final pitch where each group proudly shared their innovative solutions.

Our Cool Schools project revolved around visiting multiple primary schools in Arusha and offering English, STEM and Art workshops. Over the five days, we were able to visit three schools, each at a completely different financial level: Excellence pre-primary school, Mariado schools, and St Jude’s. We were extremely overjoyed by the amount of love and support we received from the schools and the students. It was an impactful journey, and we hope we were able to inspire the pupils to aim for a better life and create a great future for themselves.

Our Retrofit and Rise team spent Project Week at Hanspaul Group in Arusha. Our rotations covered CNC operations, electric vehicles, quality control and administration, revealing how each department contributes to making a vehicle work. Conversations with staff helped us connect classroom ideas with practical decisions and become more confident in asking questions. We concluded the week by presenting our learning to the Hanspaul team, including the Group CEO, and left grateful to everyone who made time to teach us.