Moshi Campus News – 28 Feb 2026

With two PYP camps, football matches, the Farmers’ Market and of course both the MYP Personal Project Exhibition and the Moshi Theater production the week was short in length, but not substance. As you read down through the newsletter you will see more about what happened this week and what still is on the way.

As a reminder, we will be having a local Coffee Morning for parents on Tuesday at 7:45am in the Duka, please come and join us. We are planning a few upcoming online sessions as well for parents regarding different topics and we will send out invites to those in the coming weeks.

In March we hold both the semester 2 secondary conferences and the PYP Student Led Conferences. The signup links for both those conferences will come out soon starting with the secondary signup next week.

International Day is a week away and we hope to see lots of members of our community there to celebrate who we are. Details are in the poster below.

As of sending this out, there are still some tickets available for tonight’s second production performance. This is a quick glimpse of what would be in store for you. I watched last night’s performance and was impressed by the acting, the music, the scenery, the technical support – well done to everyone involved.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

Second Showing tonight 

A visiting production. Free tickets will be available in the main office starting Monday. There will be limited seating.

Note that this is based on “A Streetcar Named Desire” and the content is only appropriate for M4 and older.

On Thursday, our M5 students proudly showcased their Personal Projects at MYPX2026, marking the culmination of months of inquiry, creativity, reflection, and resilience.

The Personal Project is a significant milestone in the MYP journey. It challenges students to explore a personal interest, set meaningful learning goals, develop a product, and reflect deeply on their process. This year’s exhibition was a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given true ownership over their learning.

The projects highlighted meaningful growth, not only in skills and knowledge, but in confidence, resilience, and personal ownership of learning. Throughout the exhibition, students demonstrated commitment, independence, and authentic engagement with their chosen paths.

Visitors had the opportunity to ask questions, explore displays, and engage in thoughtful conversations with our students who spoke confidently about their challenges, iterations, problem-solving strategies, and growth along the way.

Of course, the journey was not without moments of procrastination, redesigns, technical glitches, and last-minute printing adventures but that, too, is part of the learning. What stood out most was the perseverance of the students.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our supervisors for their ongoing guidance and feedback, and to everyone who worked hard to make the event successful. Most importantly, well done to our M5 students for pushing through, for owning the process, and for presenting their work with pride.

We are incredibly proud of you.

Please enjoy these photos from the day. A huge thank you to Kelli in M5 who documented the whole day in snapshots!

M1 – Creative Process
This week, M1 students explored their surroundings as ‘visual researchers’, collecting everyday objects to create imaginative patterns. They experimented with single and combined-object designs, with the goal of finding the right patterns for their bookmarks. Stamp away M1s!

M2 – Creative Process
Our M2 students are deep in the creative process, researching stop motion techniques and exploring the possibilities of origami as a storytelling medium. Sketches, notes, prototypes, and folded forms are slowly turning ideas into something tangible. There’s experimentation, collaboration, and a lot of problem-solving happening behind the scenes, and it’s only the beginning. Something exciting is in the making… stay tuned.

M4- I&S
M4 are currently exploring development in Individuals and Societies in a unit titled ‘How can developing countries successfully increase living standards?’. This week they played the interactive World Development game to gain an insight into the realities of global inequality and development.

Students were divided into ‘countries’ with very different levels of wealth and resources. They were given tasks to produce goods, earn money, and trade with other countries, but each group started with unequal advantages. As the game progressed, students had to negotiate deals, make strategic decisions, and respond to changing rules set by the ‘World Bank.’ Through this hands-on experience, students quickly began to see how global inequality operates in practice and how cooperation, power, and access to resources affect development outcomes.

The game also builds empathy, critical thinking, and global awareness, encouraging students to reflect on what fair and sustainable development might look like in the real world. It was a lively and fun lesson and students really got into the spirit of the game to deepen their understanding.

M1 English Language and Literature
This week in English we started with the unit “Verses in translation”. This focuses on translated poems from across the world. The unit aims to explain that translation involves choice, not just direct word replacement, identify at least one example where meaning shifts between the original language and English, and describe how historical or cultural context influences the meaning of symbols in the poem and how they carry different meanings depending on perspective. This week we focused on a Bosnian Poem called Djeca (Children). We invited Faris (D2), from Bosnia and Herzegovina to share his perspective on the poem. His presence made the lesson extremely meaningful as he shared Bosnian history and how the meaning for certain symbols have changed over time. He taught some Bosnian words which the class repeated with much excitement! He asked questions like “If you could, would you choose to remain innocent or acquire knowledge?” “How would you approach someone who has shown disrespect to something or someone you love?”. These reflective questions made students think about life around them and they responded with ingenuity.  This was truly an experience immersed in International Mindedness and displayed UWC values to the core.

Next week we have poetry from Ukraine!

MYP Dates to Remember

• March 2nd to 6th – Book Week
• March 5th – Book Week Assembly
• March 9th to 12th – M5 Final French Orals
• March 12th – Evening of the Arts
• March 17th – Secondary PTCs
• March 19th – Secondary PTCs
• 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

Dear UWCEA Community,

Some weeks feel full. This one felt meaningful.

We began with a documentary night focused on the war in Ukraine. Sitting together, students and staff, of different nationalities, different lived experiences, and watching something that is still unfolding in real time is not easy. It shouldn’t be. And yet, choosing to lean into that discomfort together matters.

What stayed with us the most wasn’t only the film itself, but the conversations that followed. Honest questions. Careful listening. A real effort to understand, not just to react. That is the kind of space we hope to hold here – one where complexity is not avoided, and where empathy is stronger than opinion.

The conversation continued later in the week at Politics & Coffee, where the focus again turned to Ukraine. There is something quietly powerful about students giving up their free time to sit with big global questions over a cup of coffee. No shouting. No headlines. Just curiosity, nuance, and care for people.

Midweek, our Student Government reminded us that community is not only built in discussions about world affairs; it is built in everyday gratitude. They organized a Support Staff Appreciation initiative to recognize the people who quietly keep this place running: the cleaners who prepare spaces before anyone arrives, the kitchen team who feed us (even on the days we pretend to be food critics), the guards who keep us safe, and the grounds and maintenance team who make the campus feel like home. It was thoughtful, sincere, and entirely student led.

We also had the privilege of walking through the M5 Personal Project Exhibition this week. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s one of those moments that quietly reminds you why education matters. Months of independent inquiry, frustration, revision, late-night planning, and creative risk-taking all on display. From passion projects rooted in sustainability and service to deeply personal explorations of identity, culture, and craft, our M5 students stood beside their work and spoke about their learning with confidence and pride. It takes courage to put your thinking and a piece of yourself on display. I couldn’t be prouder of the resilience and ownership they demonstrated.

On stage, the opening night of the school play brought a completely different kind of energy: nerves backstage, bright lights, laughter, and that collective exhale at the final bow. There is real courage in stepping into the spotlight and allowing yourself to be seen. I’m incredibly proud of every student who took that leap.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew.

And as we close the week, we’ll gather around a bonfire. No big program. No speeches. Just warmth, music, conversation, a few slightly burnt s’mores, and a chance to slow down. In a season that moves quickly, these simple moments matter.

Looking ahead…

Next week we kick off Book Week. We’ll begin with “Drop Everything and Read” during Advisory; yes, even the ones who confidently claim they “don’t read.” We’ll close the week with an all-school assembly celebrating stories, authors, and the simple (but not so simple) act of reading. I’m especially looking forward to seeing which characters from our favorite books start roaming around campus for “dress like your favorite character” day.

And then: March 7. International Day.
If you are new to UWCEA, this is the day. Food. Performances. Flags. Music. Controlled chaos. Beautiful chaos. Please see the poster above for details.

Students, please sign up to represent your country through food or performance if you haven’t yet. Parents, you are absolutely invited to join; the PTA has shared the sign-up document. If you have ever considered visiting campus, this is the right day to do it. You will see our diversity not as a concept on paper, but as something you can taste, hear, and experience.

You are also welcome to sponsor a country or your own children, as this is the Student Government’s biggest fundraiser of the year. They are putting in an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, and your support truly makes a difference.

It is a busy season, but it is the right kind of busy.

As always, thank you for being part of this community.
See you by the bonfire.
Adnan Mackovic – Head of Student Life

We enjoyed the short week in diploma but know that the D2 students are feeling the pressure of upcoming IA deadlines, TOK deadlines and language acquisition orals. The IB is known for its wide breath of learning which can feel like you are juggling a hundred things at the same time.

We have certainly focused on taking our students outside the classroom this semester. This week, our D1 students listened to Dr. David Zaber who shared about his fieldwork in water scarcity and water quality.

The D1 Business students visited a flower farm a few weeks back and our Biology field trip heads out next week to see the pouched rats at APOPO center. Special thanks to our teachers.

Many of our students are preparing for the play this weekend and we know they have worked hard to juggle the demands of art and academics. “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out” (Dorothy Heathcote).

Catherine Dowie – Head of Diploma

Our journey began bright and early in the school carpark. Though nervous and sleepy we were ready for the journey to come – only 319 kilometers to go! The first few hours of the car ride we were all passed out though we all regained consciousness when we reached the border. Funnily enough clearing customs was the quick part – the real challenge being the Maasai ladies trying to sell us their gorgeous, but clearly overpriced, trinkets! After what felt like a short lifetime, we were able to escape and continue our journey to Nairobi! The rest of the bus ride went surprisingly quickly, and before we knew it, we had reached the metropolis that is Nairobi. As the buildings grew taller and the architecture shifted outside our windows, it became more apparent to us what we had signed up for and what the week ahead would entail.

Tuesday came and we arrived at KICC (Kenyatta International Conference Center) where we picked up our badges. Sat in the Amphitheatre for the general assembly, a room with 1000 other delegates from all over East and Central Africa, our nerves began to settle in. The first day of conferences went by interestingly (to say the least) as a few of our peers were “shaded” (or in other words penalised) for being in violation of the conference conduct. Though we were part of different committees and walked out of different rooms that day having our own unique conversation and debates, we all knew one thing: EACMUN was going to be something truly unforgettable.

The rest of the conferences were nothing short of intense and inspiring. Each morning, we entered our respective committees to defend our countries, form alliances, draft resolutions and, if we were lucky, deliver speeches we had practiced with each other the night before! The debates challenged us to negotiate, listen and think on our feet! But between the seriousness, in moments of small mishaps and comical calamity, we found ourselves laughing more than we expected. Whether it was someone stumbling over a formal point of order or the dramatic whispers surrounding the infamous gossip box, it was those lighthearted moments that balanced out the pressure of the formal debate and made our experience just that much more unforgettable.

As intense as the days were, the evenings gave us time to relax. Every afternoon was filled with a new, unique location, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the lovely city we were staying in. From the Museum of Illusions (where we all left significantly dizzier than when we arrived) to the lively bowling alley – we were never short of a quick adventure. And at night, we went to nearby malls to share dinner, try new foods and, most memorably, gossip about the conferences behind us.

Looking back, ECAMUN 2026 was more than just a conference. It pushed us academically, socially and personally. We learned to think under pressure and work with diverse perspectives. More than anything, it was growth and shared memories that made the week unforgettable. We could not have done it without the constant support of our teachers and the strength we found in each other as a team!

Maxine M4

Last Wednesday, February 18th (PYP) and 19th (MYP and some D1s), the Physical Education Team organized the annual inter-house swimming gala. These exciting events were designed for PYP/ MYP students currently engaged in the Swimming Unit, providing them with the chance to learn, enhance, and perfect their swimming techniques. The students displayed considerable enthusiasm while representing their respective houses, with the following results:

PYP

• 1st Place: KIBO 
• 2nd Place: MERU 
• 3rd Place: MAWENZI 

MYP

• 1st Place: MERU 
• 2nd Place: MAWENZI 
• 3rd Place: KIBO

During the remainder of the quarter, MYP students will focus on Lifesaving and Water Rescue skills. They will learn methods to save lives in aquatic environments and how to assist individuals in distress effectively.

Lerato Pheko

On Friday afternoon we hosted a friendly football match against PPA. Both our boys’ and girls’ teams won their games – congratulations to them and thank you to Coach T for arranging the matches and to everyone who came out to support the event.

The P3 and P4/5 classes went camping to Simba Farm and Kahawa Shamba respectively this week. Please see class newsletters for further details. P2 and P6 will go overnight camping and EC/P1 will have a day camp later in the semester.

On Thursday, the primary children visited the M5 Personal Project Exhibition. This year there were many exhibitions that captured the children’s attention. Model Painting and Chinese Cooking proved to be particularly popular (see photos).

Next week is Book Week – a highlight of the PYP calendar. We have many fun activities planned.

Monday

• Reading with older students outside near the tree at 10:30am

Tuesday

• Guess the teacher – look at the photos of teachers reading books and guess who is who
• Book week T-shirts should arrive on this day.

Wednesday

• Where’s Wally (Waldo) Day – dress in stripes.
• Deadline for story writing competition

Thursday

• Dress as a book character.
• Whole school assembly at 10:30am. Parents are welcome to attend.

Friday

• P4/5 primary gathering 7:40am in Karibu Hall

All week:

• Story writing competition on the theme of a quest or a journey (deadline Wednesday)
• Email a “Get Caught Reading” photo of your child reading in an unusual situation or location to your child’s teacher.
• Classroom book doors competition
• Reading and judging 5 books and awarding the “Kilimanjaro” prize

Thank you to Ms. Kacey and Ms. Jamie for the work they have put into organising Book Week.

Please note that next Saturday is International Day. Please see the poster near the start of the newsletter for details.

Deborah Mills – Head of PYP

The rains have brought new opportunities to explore minibeasts. Please use this rainy season to name creeping, flying and hopping minibeasts. The children can share information with the class when they are ready.

Book Week is here. It is a wonderful week in our class. We love listening to stories and dressing up. One of our favourite times of the week is Mystery Reader time. This is when you can come to class and read your chosen book to us or pick one from the class to read. I have shared a google doc link with you. Please place your name at the chosen slots if you wish to come and read to the class. We will also be busy working on decorating our door to look like a book.

This coming Friday, P4/5 will be leading our primary gathering and EC2s will be the MCs.

Mboka Mwasongwe

This was a big week for our class and for our class parents! Half of the class went for our annual overnight camping trip to Simba Farms. The sweetness of our whole class was on display when there were tears at the bus when P2 and P3 students said farewell on Wednesday! We had an amazing time and, most amazingly, we stayed dry. Everyone had some sleep, plenty of food and lots of fun. Ms. Zitha kept things educational and enjoyable back in the classroom with the students who remained. As always, we are all grateful for her leadership and kindness.

Book Week is shaping up to be a terrific week. We’re excited about revealing our book door based on our current chapter book read-aloud. Please do re-visit the email from me about the support we need from home- stripes on Wednesday, costume on Thursday, and sign-ups for Mystery Readers any day that suits you. I’m happy to fill those slots with eager teenagers but the kids do love having their parents pop in!

Kacey Buckley

Our camp at Kahawa Shamba was so much fun! We went on a coffee tour and learned about the use of natural pesticides and fertilisers. The children roasted and ground their own coffee and we all had a (small) cup of coffee to drink. Putting up tents and dismantling them was an opportunity to demonstrate teamwork. The food was delicious (thank you to Ms. Tahera, Ms. Mercy and Mr. Salimu). Ms. Catherine and Ms. Durriyah made sure that everything ran smoothly. The children loved the beautiful setting of the campsite and spent hours playing football, frisbee, volleyball, hula hoops, board games and card games. In the evening we had a campfire and played with flashlights. Everyone got on well and we had a very happy time.

Back in school, Ms. Grace taught the children how to make a Google Slides presentation and they have started making a slideshow about the camping experience which will be shared with parents later. Next week is Book Week – please see the main PYP newsletter for details. Friday is the P4/5 primary gathering. The children will bring some lines home to practice for home learning.

Deborah Mills

The Kilimanjaro Project hosted two of our students last week, who headed off on an adventure to Kahe Forest and (in true rainy-season fashion) got themselves properly stuck in the mud — experiential learning at its finest. A big thank you to Mr. Quentin Robb from Masifio for taking the time to sit for an interview and share his expertise with our inquirers. We are now nearing the end of the written component of PYPX, which means it’s action mode from here on out — the exciting, slightly louder phase.

Students will head home this weekend with homework as we make our final push toward the end of the quarter, including lines to begin memorising for their presentations. Book Week is next week (details are in your email), and we are still on the lookout for mystery readers if you’re feeling brave. The rains have finally arrived — everything is green, dramatic, and mildly chaotic — which feels very aligned with life in P6 at the moment. It’s busy, it’s muddy, it’s creative, and somehow, it’s actually a lot of fun.

Elisha Jaffer

This short week has brought many valuable discussions surrounding sustainability moving forward at UWC East Africa. On this note, it is a pleasure to announce the upcoming community clean-up drive event in partnership with Tunza Foundation.

Saturday, 14th March – Departing campus at 7:45 am – Shanty Town and Karanga River
This is an opportunity to support our community beyond our gates and connect with our shared resources. The team at Tunza connects such events to local leaders. This is done in order to raise awareness of waste dumping, burning and the impacts of pollution beyond aesthetics as the impacts of this affects everyone. In particular, we share great concern for the women who are exposed to toxic chemicals right in their neighborhoods.

In preparation for International Day, the sustainability committee will host a large banana plate-making session on Thursday. If you are involved in a food stall (particularly) or not, please come along and support this initiative. Our collective efforts help ensure that our International Day remains one of the most sustainable across the UWC movement.  Join us in this demonstration of conscious consumption and waste reduction in action.

Less waste starts with how we consume, this is why international day is a 0-waste event. Thank you for respecting this by not using single-use plates, cups, cutlery, bowls or napkins at school events. You can always bring your own items to events. If you have any questions, reach out: sustainabilitymoshi@uwcea.org.

We were also privileged to welcome Dr. David Zaber, who met with our ESS and Biology students to explore climate change across scales. Drawing on his extensive work across Tanzania, he offered powerful insights into the interconnected challenges of ecology, and strategies required to address them systemically. Thank you to Ms. Mika for helping to set this up.

Our new Sustainability Committee has hit the ground running. Why not join Evelyne’s Green Lens Collective campaign, developed to share environmental issues from the perspectives of different countries, regions and communities. Join to share your stories. Scan to join.

Next week we are also launching life skills workshops for Diploma Year 1 students, connecting them directly to our composting, gardening, and chicken systems. Mr. David (Head Gardener) will be facilitating these sessions alongside the sustainability team, empowering both residential and day students to contribute meaningfully to these living systems.

The rain has arrived! Why not plant some starter vegetables, connect with the community garden and help grow a space that reflects both care and collective responsibility.

William Taylor