These two words come to mind as I introduce the newsletter this week. The international part is obvious with the International Day festivities and fashion show yesterday, but it is the less obvious parts as well. The discussions on banned languages, the PYP gathering on flood stories from around the world. Book Week in general invites the exploration of the international side of us and the assembly showcased this well.
The connected may need more explanation. People may think we are a bit out of the way in Moshi but the campus is very connected to the community and beyond. As you read through, you will see articles about visiting theater productions, women’s empowerment, the blood drive, student Red Cross volunteers, OP trips, PYPx, river community cleanup, and others. This connection to Moshi and Tanzania is important to the school community and the students.
Focusing on more news-based items, secondary parents please remember to sign up for conferences, you will already have received the link last Monday. Primary parents please note that the invite for student led conferences will come out tomorrow. This week we have the DP Art Exhibition, the Evening of the Arts and both primary and secondary swimming trips.
You can see pictures from International Day, as well as many other events from the last week, as you read through the newsletter.
The newsletter is particularly long this week so please ensure you click the view entire message tab to ensure you see the articles about OP, the Sustainability Committee and International Women’s Day.
Bob Cofer – Head of Campus
Upcoming Events
Diploma News
What a wonderful week we have had showcasing the talents of our students! Last weekend, we watched the school play and the students put on an outstanding adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. The costumes, the stage set up, the acting and the music were all delightful and we are so proud of the efforts from all the students. Special thanks to Mr Gadi who led the cast and Ms Shealy who supported. You were outstanding!
We also had the privilege of watching a travelling theatre group with their African retelling of A Streetcar Named Desire. The theatre students had time for Q&A at the end. These two performances shared more than a stage: they shared the power of the African voice, proving that themes of power, family, love and conflict transcend space and time.
We are also incredibly proud of our Tanzanian D2 student, Bernard, who travelled to the Swedish Embassy in Dar as part of the Young Courage Nobel Teachers Dialogue. The discussion was very productive, including the Ambassador, fellow young courage students, teachers, and the Embassy representatives.
Below are some key highlights:
Together, they came up with practical recommendations to improve the Tanzanian education system. The Embassy will share these ideas with the relevant government agencies.
During the discussions, Bernard emphasised the importance of extracurricular programs in schools. He shared the example of our school and how students take part in the CAS program and develop leadership and real-world skills beyond academics.
Young Courage Award 2026 nominations are now open and we will be looking at suitable candidates in the coming weeks.
On Monday the D1 Theory of Knowledge : Knowledge and Language class explored the idea of the impact banning a language has on a culture. We started looking at countries where a language was historically banned but is now under revival. However we then moved onto where a language is still banned. We heard stories of people being arrested for speaking their mother tongue in their home. Thank you to everyone who was willing to speak. We had so many people that we couldn’t hear from everyone. I know the conversations have carried on after the lesson.
Mr Finn gave a fascinating presentation on the impact banning Maori has had but also challenged us to guess some Maori words. What do you think this means? (See image)
We would like to add a warm welcome to all members of our community to join our Evening of the Arts this Thursday at 6:20pm. Our DP Art, Music and Theatre students will be presenting their work.
Catherine Dowie – Head of Diploma
Women’s Health Empowerment
“Njia Yetu” (“Our Path”) is a magazine created by the Women’s Health Empowerment (WHE) service to inform, inspire, and bring people together through knowledge. Our goal is to highlight the diversity of Africa by exploring different tribes, their traditions, and what everyday life looks like for them. At the same time, we want to start real conversations about important health topics, especially women’s menstrual cycles and health conditions that are often ignored or misunderstood. By sharing stories and spreading awareness, Njia Yetu encourages students to be more open-minded, respectful, and educated about both culture and health, because understanding others is part of creating a stronger and more supportive community. Through this digital magazine, we explore the rich identity and empowerment of women around the world.
Red Cross First Aid Service
Wednesday, 4 March 2026, marked the first intervention by our first aid CAS at Moshi Secondary School. In collaboration with the Tanzanian Red Cross, we went to meet with the headmaster in order to introduce ourselves and explain our intentions to the student body. This first session consisted of explaining the theory of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including all safety procedures. The aim is also to train Tanzanian students to respond effectively to heart attacks and enable them to potentially save a life. Using Red Cross office equipment, including adult, child and infant mannequins, our eight members, who had been thoroughly trained in CPR beforehand, demonstrated CPR techniques to a class of around forty pupils ranging from Year 7 to Year 12. Our entire CAS group was very proud to finally be able to start making a real impact on the Moshi community and spreading awareness of CPR and, soon, other techniques such as Stop the Bleed in the coming weeks.
Héloïse on behalf of the First Aid Service
Blood Drive
The KCMC biannual blood drive took place this Friday March 6th in Rafiki Hall. Our school blood drive is one of the biggest events in the calendar for our service, and this initiative would not be possible without the support of our service members, the school community, the kitchen staff, the Tanzanian blood bank and the doctors from KCMC- particularly Dr Marieke. We would like to thank all of our brave donors (teachers, staff, students, and community members) for a very successful blood drive!
The school blood drives are particularly important because Tanzania, as a country, only receives one third of the donations that the state requires. Each donation can save up to three lives!
This blood drive was particularly special as it marks the 55th anniversary of KCMC. This session, we received 81 donations!
Our next blood drive will take place in September. Until then, rest well after donating and, on behalf of KCMC service, I say a sincere thank you once again to everyone who donated or helped support this!
Cara – KCMC Service
APOPO Rat Training
Last weekend the D2 biology students traveled to see the APOPO pouched rat training center. More details of this amazing trip in next week’s newsletter.
Residential Life
Dear UWCEA Community,
These past few days, our campus came alive with the spirit of International Day. It is always one of those moments in the year when you can truly feel what a place like ours is all about: cultures, foods, music, dances, languages, and stories all finding their way into one shared space.
Yesterday, the campus was buzzing. If you walked around the dorms or near the student kitchen, you probably smelled something cooking at almost any hour. Students were experimenting with recipes, negotiating over stove space, and occasionally realizing that a key ingredient had somehow been forgotten at the very last minute. Teachers and Uja families generously opened their kitchens, and many of our day student families prepared dishes at home to bring and share with the community. It truly became a collective effort.
And of course, there was the familiar pre-event tension in the air. Things burned. People showed up late. Someone inevitably discovered that the rice had been forgotten, or that the spices were missing. Meanwhile, Student Government was running around campus trying to coordinate performance schedules, sort out the sound system, organize tickets, and handle all the last-minute adjustments that somehow always appear five minutes before things begin.
In other words: organized chaos.
But the good kind.
And when the afternoon finally arrived and everything came together, there was that quiet moment of relief, the collective exhale when the music started, the food was laid out, and the performances began. Watching the community move from that hectic preparation into celebration is always one of my favorite moments of the year.
Looking ahead, the week isn’t quite over yet. Tonight, we will gather again, this time for an Open Mic Night – Women’s Day Edition, celebrating voices, stories, and performances dedicated to the incredible women in our lives and in our community.
If International Day reminded us how beautifully diverse our community is, tonight will remind us of how powerful it is when those voices take the stage.
Best, Adnan Mackovic – Head of Student Life
MYP News
Sometimes writing this newsletter feels a bit like walking around campus with a camera, snapping pictures here and there, capturing moments as they happen (this is literally what you can see me doing every day). By the time the week comes to an end and I sit down to put everything together, I am always reminded of just how much is happening across our MYP classrooms and around campus.
There is always something to celebrate, something to share, and something new to learn. In fact, some weeks it feels like the newsletter could easily be twice as long, and still not capture it all! Time flies quickly when classrooms are actively engaged with ideas, projects, discussions, and the occasional last-minute discovery.
And this week has been no different. As always, our students and teachers have been busy learning, creating, exploring, and preparing for what is shaping up to be an exciting weekend highlighted by International Day.
M2 – Science Our MYP 2 students brought their learning to life this week as they explored the chemistry of combustion. Using their textbooks as a foundation and building on that knowledge through hands-on investigation, they analyzed how different types of fires behave and identified the appropriate extinguishers for each scenario. By connecting theory to real-world applications, students discovered that effective fire safety begins with understanding the science behind combustion.
M5 – Personal Project We are officially in the final stretch of the Personal Project journey! On Thursday evening, our M5 students gathered for what we lovingly called a “crash session” to finalize Criterion C before submission.
Now, an evening work session after a full school day could easily have turned into a scene of exhaustion and dramatic sighs… but surprisingly, the room told a very different story. Instead of sad faces, we saw focused students, plenty of laughter, collaborative problem-solving, and an impressive number of happy faces behind those laptops.
There were last-minute edits, deep thinking, a few “wait… I think I just figured this out!” moments, and a lot of determination to get things just right. It was one of those evenings that reminded us that while the Personal Project is challenging, it is also a space where students grow, support one another, and take real ownership of their learning.
The finish line is now very much in sight, and we could not be prouder of the resilience, effort, and spirit our M5 students have shown throughout this journey.
M4 – Language and Literature English Our M4 Language and Literature students stepped into a very different kind of classroom this week as the room transformed into a “1954 Forensic Lab.” Using Twelve Angry Men as their case file, students worked through a series of inquiry stations designed to uncover the hidden logic, biases, and subtext within the script.
From analyzing how environment and discomfort can influence reasoning, to exploring silenced perspectives and decoding meaning through stage directions, students took on the role of literary investigators, questioning assumptions and reconstructing the truth behind the dialogue.
The level of engagement, collaboration, and analytical thinking on display was impressive. Students embraced the challenge, thinking critically about perspective, logic, and the power of what is not said in a text. A fantastic example of literature coming to life through inquiry and creativity.
M1-M2 Kiswahili Our M1 and M2 students enjoyed a lovely Kiswahili reading circle with Ms. Happiness, taking their learning outside the classroom. Sitting together under the open sky, students practiced reading, listening, and sharing stories in Kiswahili, turning language learning into a calm and collaborative experience. A simple reminder that sometimes the best classroom is just a good book, a great group and a little fresh air.
Secondary PTCs Secondary PTCs will take place on March 17th and March 19th. Please refer to the communication shared by Mr. Cofer for instructions on how to book your appointments.
These conferences are an important opportunity for families and teachers to connect and discuss student progress. We kindly encourage you to book your appointments ahead of time rather than leaving it until the very last minute, as time slots may fill up quickly. We look forward to these conversations and to welcoming you on campus.
MYP Dates to Remember
March 8th – International Women’s Day
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
PYP News
We enjoyed a wonderful book week in the primary school. Many thanks to everyone who visited classes as a mystery reader – the children are always delighted to hear a story being read by someone other than their class teacher. The Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) time with the MYP and DP children was a big success. The decorated classroom doors look great. The children enjoyed being judges to decide which book would win our own literary prize, the “Kilimanjaro Award.” We had a story writing competition and a guess the teacher competition. There was a dress as a book character day and a dress up in stripes, “Where’s Wally?” day. We had a special “Book Week” whole school assembly and a book related primary gathering. What a lovely week. Many thanks to everyone who supported the event – parents, we realise that it takes effort to find stripy clothes and book character costumes. Special thanks to Ms. Kacey and Ms. Jamie for coordinating the event and to Ms. Mkunde for helping to source the Book Week T-shirts.
The OP department is leading special primary Outdoor Pursuits days this semester. All classes will have the opportunity to participate in one of these. The P4/5 class will be going on a hike to the Ekanubi caves and waterfall on Wednesday, 11th March. Thank you to Mr. Andy, Mr. Isaac, Mr. Salimu and Ms. Mercy for organising these events.The photo shows Mr. Isaac with some of the new PYP sized walking boots available to borrow from the OP store.
Some of the children will attend the Arusha campus swim gala on Friday. We wish them the best of luck. P6 will not be participating on this occasion as they are busy with their PYP Exhibition (PYP X).
Dates for your diary:
Wednesday, 18th March – Community service afternoon 3:30pm- 4:15pm. Workshop to recycle plastic bottles to make weights to support KCMC spinal patients. See Eric’s article below. Parents are welcome to join.
Tuesday, 24th March – Student Led Conferences (normal school day for P6). The sign up link will be shared shortly.
Wednesday, 25th March We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our PYP Exhibition. This will take place in Rafiki Hall 5:30 – 8:00pm.
Friday, 27th March Primary gathering (Swahili – all classes presenting)
Deborah Mills – Head of PYP
Support PYPx
Hello, my name is Eric and I am in P6. I need your help.
I am collecting empty plastic bottles with lids to help patients in the spinal unit at KCMC hospital. Some of these patients have hurt their backs and cannot walk. I want to help them get stronger so they can push themselves in their wheelchairs.
Please bring a large plastic bottle with a lid to school. The best bottles are 1.25L or 1.5L soda or water bottles. We will fill the bottles with sand to make weights. We are planning to have an after school workshop at 3:15 – 4:15pm on Wednesday, 18th March to fill the bottles. Parents can come too. Then we will send the weights to the hospital. The patients can use the weights to help build stronger muscles.
This is also a good way to recycle plastic, which is part of my PYP Exhibition, and help people at the same time.
There is a box for the bottles (with lids) outside Room 15.
Thank you for helping!
EC/P1 Class
Thank you to everyone who came to join us this Book Week. We enjoyed your book reads.
All the children would like to make this a regular visit so look out for our future requests.
Mboka Mwasongwe
P2/3 Class
Books! Books! Books! We had a wonderful week celebrating reading. Thank you very much for your support from home with all of the activities. The Waldo stripes and the Book character costumes looked terrific. We loved having Mystery Readers pop by- thanks Mama Hugo and Mama Ryker. We celebrated our in-class reading by finally finishing the older version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that we started back in December. It certainly was a fun week.
We’re back to normal next week with a wrap-up of our Exploration unit. The focus will be on space exploration which is a topic the students are very interested in. We’re continuing on with measuring in math and complete/incomplete sentences in language. Kids are doing a great job with remembering swimsuits on Tuesday but we’re not having as much luck with Library bags on Friday, help us surprise Ms. Tahera with everyone bringing them in this week!
Kacey Buckley
P4/5 Class
The P4/5 children were on the stage twice last week and delivered two confident and clear performances. The Zimbabwe tale about why the cat lives indoors was very entertaining and was well received at the Book Week assembly. In Friday’s gathering the class did a great job of explaining the connections between The Epic of Gilgamesh, Noah’s Ark and Manu and the Fish. Next week will be a busy week. We will visit the OP store on Monday to collect walking boots and raincoats ready for our hike. If your child needs to borrow OP equipment please send in the OP slip and 10,000 Shillings deposit.
On Wednesday, we will go on the hike. On Thursday we will go to Simon Mtuy’s farm in Mweka to learn about crop production and distribution. Both of these activities are weather permitting and I will keep you informed. Some of the children will be absent on Friday attending a swim gala in Arusha.
Deborah Mills
P6 Class
This week was Book Week, and it was lovely seeing the whole school stop and read during DEAR — lots of kids completely absorbed in books and older students reading to the younger ones. Where’s Wally Day was great fun, and the Book Character costumes were impressively creative. I’ve already told the class that next year they will be responsible for designing my costume, so they may want to start planning now.
The P4/5 Primary Gathering on Flood Stories was so interesting, with some great connections between flood stories from different cultures. Meanwhile, P6 students have been putting in serious hours on their PYPX projects — working during breaks, lunches, and after school, organising people who can help them, finishing our door display, building models, and tying up the last bits of written work.
On Monday, we start planning the presentation boards, which is a good opportunity for students to talk through their ideas at home and think about how they want to present their learning.
Elisha Jaffer
Outdoor Pursuits
This week, the OP team has fully embraced life on the water. On Thursday (5th), 32 students from both campuses travelled to Fish Eagle Point for our Reefs Exploration trip. Activities include beach clean-ups, sea urchin removal (a win-win: ecosystem support and fish feeding), forest walks, mangrove climbs, mangrove canal snorkelling, open-water snorkelling, kayaking, paddle-boarding and tubing – so yes, they will sleep well.
Students will learn the rudiments of snorkelling and practice underwater communication. They will also explore the Coral Reefs Regeneration Project and examine the threats facing marine wildlife in the area, gaining a deeper understanding of how their actions can support these fragile ecosystems.
Departing on the same dates is the Reefs Adventure trip, where two groups of students are undertaking their Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications. This promises to be a fantastic experience, and we look forward to welcoming more newly certified divers into our school community.
Finally, please take a moment to read Leo’s review of the Ngorongoro trip, which returned last week.
Have a wonderful week!
This trip was truly an adventure and Ngorongoro is something that really has to be seen to be believed. The 5 days spent away felt like such a short time to explore such an extraordinary place. The first day we tackled Mount Lomalisin the 3rd tallest mountain in Tanzania, passing through sacred Maasai sites as well as through ancient Rainforests pressed against the Mountain side.
The night we got down from the mountain was probably the hardest as we had to immediately leave when we got down (Initially though the truck wouldn’t start). Once we had gotten to the campsite we also had to pitch up tents, in the pouring rain and the morale was pretty low, as most of us hadn’t eaten for most of the afternoon either.
But the view of the rising sun on our campsite the next morning made it all the more worth it. Encamped upon the crest of Empakaai crater, we descended with the help of our Maasai guide and ranger. Exploring the base of the crater full of all manner of nature and wildlife from Flamingos, to Baboons, to Bush and Water bucks. For the next few days we hiked through Maasai territory passing many Boma’s and visiting a local market. But by far the last couple days were the best, as once we had finished the hike we ended our trip with newfound friends in a safari lodge and a pool which we all rejoiced and relaxed in letting the past few days of hiking wash away.
The last day though brought the best spectacle, as we left the crater we encountered much amazing wildlife such as Giraffe’s, Zebra’s, Gazelle and Wildebeest roaming among the plains.
I will forever remember the friends and adventure I made on this trip and it is something I couldn’t recommend more. The starry nights around a campfire, the changing landscape of Ngorongoro really puts DP life in perspective and makes you appreciate where we are.
Leo (D1)
Sustainability
Community River Clean-up Saturday, 14th March – Departing campus at 7:45 am – Shanty Town and Karanga River
Next week we will be collaborating with the Tunza Foundation to clean up the Karanga River in Shanty Town next Saturday. This is a public community activity where you will have the chance to reduce waste and make the world and our community cleaner and more beautiful, while exploring different areas of Moshi and meeting members from the community. This builds on the success of the previous clean-up we had on Valentine’s Day, where we cleaned the area around the Rau River while learning more about water pollution. We will be leaving at 07:30 and returning by 9:30. So if you want to participate in this event, pay attention to your emails!
International Day In preparation for yesterday’s International Day, the Sustainability Committee hosted a banana plate-making session on Friday. This week, members of the committee prepared banana leaf plates to be used as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic or paper plates during the celebration. It was very encouraging to see members of our school community joining in, with special thanks to the M1-3 Environmental Service, you can find the M3s hard at work (right). Initiatives like this help reduce waste and support our goal of lowering carbon emissions of our community during large events. By using natural materials and working together, we continue taking small but meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. Please remember to dispose of your banana plates in the compost bins placed around the stalls.
UWC East Africa – Moshi Campus X UWC Thailand On Thursday, the Sustainability Committee of our school participated in an online meeting with the Sustainability Committee of UWC Thailand to discuss sustainable practices across both campuses. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, present ongoing initiatives, and reflect on the different approaches each community takes toward environmental responsibility.
During the call, both groups shared the sustainability projects currently implemented on their campuses. Our committee presented several initiatives from UWC East Africa’s Moshi campus, including recycling efforts, zero-waste plans, the waste-tracking system used on campus, community sustainability projects and more. Students from UWC Thailand also shared their initiatives, such as beach clean-ups, bottle cap upcycling programs, dorm sustainability competitions and strategies for promoting sustainability through social media. These discussions offered valuable insights and inspiration for future projects.
The meeting was a meaningful opportunity for collaboration and learning. By exchanging experiences and ideas with other UWC campuses, we hope to strengthen our efforts.
Women’s Day Especially in this era of conflict and oppression, the upcoming International Women’s Day reminds us of the significance of UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality, and why our action against the injustices women face all across the world is crucial. As Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”
We see this occasion as an opportunity to expand on the perception of “sustainability” within our campus. We will be diving into fragile topics by listening to the stories of women on our campus, having activities aiming to raise awareness about gender norms, rights, and Gender Based Violence (GBV) in order to contribute to Goal 5 – Gender Equality. So look out for the activities we will run during the International Women’s Week! Join, speak, listen, and learn.
