Congratulations to our M5 Students on their successful Personal Project Exhibition. I think those of you who were here to see can attest to the hard work displayed and the wide variety of interest exhibited.
Over the next few weeks there are more opportunities for students to showcase their hard work in school or their talents and interests outside of the classroom. The D2 art students are up tomorrow night to exhibit their two years’ worth of work. On the 27th the P6 will get their chance to shine and educate us on what they learned in their PYPx presentations.
Some members of our community will also be sharing their talents at International Day on the 22nd and at Le Cabaret on the 29th. Please come join us for all these events.
This last week you should have received an invite from me to sign up for the conferences. If you do not see it in your email, please check your spam filter. These are our last conferences for the year.
In addition to all the events below we also have our next Farmers’ Market on the last Friday of the month. You can see all of these events and more on the calendar.
Bob Cofer – Head of Campus
Coming Soon
MVD and M-Pox Updates
There have been recent reports of mpox following testing of patients in Dar es Salaam. Whilst individual cases have been detected in East Africa previously, these have been the first reported cases in Tanzania. Whilst the risk to our students is very low, we will continue to monitor this disease and will keep you informed if the situation changes. Up-to-date and reliable information can be found at the WHO and CDC websites. We have had a small number of students approaching us for more information, please talk to your children as we are talking with residential students already.
In other news, the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in the west of the country has now been declared over with no new cases having been reported for 42 days.
Ben’s Corner
Be careful, Ben’s Corner is X-Rated this week…M5 MYPX, D2 ArtX and P6 PYPX!!
Monday’s showcase was a fabulous occasion and a genuine celebration of meaningful learning and community. MYPX is the culmination of a huge amount of work over an extended period, as the M5 students explored areas of personal interest. The experience allows the students to develop important skills they will need in both further education and life beyond the classroom. It also formally assesses their approaches to learning (ATL) skills for self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking and collaboration. The PP is made up of a process, a product and a reflective report. The students will now shift their collective focus to completing their reports. Huge congratulations to M5, Ms. Farah and all the supervising teachers.
This weekend, our focus will also shift to ArtX, as the D2 Visual Art students transform Rafiki Hall and K-Hall into galleries to display their portfolios of work from the last 18 months. The students then submit a selection of resolved artworks for assessment. The selected pieces should show evidence of their technical accomplishment during the course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication. Again, this is not quite the end of the road for them as they also need to complete a Process Portfolio to evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of activities during the course. Kudos to Ms. Janet and our talented D2 artists.
…and, then, just around the corner, the spaces will morph again to accommodate PYPX. This is a celebration of P6’s knowledge and skills throughout the PYP experience. It is a culmination of a substantial process involving self-reflection, collaboration, inquiry, action and presentation to an audience. It is an opportunity for students to share their message with the community and even the world!
These opportunities give our students opportunities to engage in in-depth, collaborative inquiry, to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning, to explore multiple perspectives, to synthesise and apply their learning and to reflect upon their journey. I hope you are able to enjoy some or all of these X-rated opportunities!
Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus
MYP News
We are starting this week’s entry On Top of the World!
That’s where the MYPX2025 exhibition took us, showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of students as they presented their personal projects. From innovative solutions to real-world problems to deeply creative and thoughtful presentations, the exhibition highlighted key elements like inquiry, action, and reflection. It was a true celebration of passion, creativity, and growth. These students not only exceeded expectations but truly exemplified what it means to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. What an unforgettable experience!
#MYPX2025 (please click this hashtag link for access to all the pictures from the day).
M1 Visual Arts
This week, M1 students have been exploring the expressive medium of oil pastels in their Visual Arts lessons. Through hands-on activities, they experimented with blending, layering, and shading techniques to create depth and texture in their work. To ensure a meaningful learning experience, the task was differentiated based on students’ familiarity with oil pastels. Students new to the medium focused on foundational techniques, learning how to control and mix colors effectively. Those already familiar with oil pastels were encouraged to refine their skills by experimenting with advanced blending methods and creative compositions. To guide their exploration, students followed instructional videos tailored to their level, allowing them to work at their own pace while developing confidence and artistic expression. This approach not only fostered technical growth but also encouraged creativity and personal interpretation in their artwork.
M5 Biology Students learned the fermentation process hosting a gallery walk open to teachers. Special guests, Mr. Andy and Mr. Russell were keen observers, learning about the ingredients, bacteria, enzymes and processes behind fermentations which yield cheese, yogurt and even beer. On Tuesday they will have the opportunity to attempt to make one of these three, can you guess which one they will be creating?
This links to their genetics and inheritance unit. They will soon transition into their final MYP biology unit on ecology
Secondary Conferences A reminder that Secondary Conferences will take place on Tuesday, March 25th, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm EAT, and Thursday, March 27th, from 7:30 am to 11:00 am EAT. Mr. Cofer has shared an email with detailed instructions on how to book appointments. If you have not yet scheduled your meetings, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Availability becomes limited as the dates approach, making it more challenging to secure times that work best for you.
MYP Dates to Remember
March 18th to 21st – M5 French Final Orals
March 22nd – International Day
March 25th & March 27th – Parent Conferences
April 2nd – M3 Science Fair
April 5th to 21st – Holiday
April 22nd – Classes Resume Q4
Have a wonderful week ahead! Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator
Residential Life
Dear UWCEA Community,
I hope you’re all doing well as we head into this busy and exciting time of the year. There’s been so much happening on campus, but this week, I will focus on some updates and reminders as we move closer to the break.
This past week, we had the privilege of welcoming representatives from Baret Scholars, who spoke with our students about gap year opportunities. It was wonderful to see our students engage in meaningful conversations about what life beyond UWCEA might look like. Whether it’s through service, travel, or deepening personal interests, a gap year can be a powerful way to grow before heading to university. If your child is considering this path, I encourage you to continue these discussions at home. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities ahead.
April Break Travel Plans: With the April break coming up, I would like to remind parents and students to finalize their travel plans as soon as possible. Whether your child is leaving or staying on campus this break, please make sure to fill out the travel form by March 28th so we can coordinate everything smoothly. Please review the forms below:
International Day: I also want to thank those who have already signed up to be part of the International Day, students and parents! This celebration of our diverse community is such a highlight, and it truly comes to life through your participation. If you haven’t signed up yet, I encourage you to do so—whether by sharing food, music, or a special tradition from home. It’s a beautiful way to connect with each other and celebrate the cultures that make UWCEA so special.
P6 and M1 at the river:
Lat weekend our P6 and M1 residential students took advantage of the pre-rain low river levels and explored the Karaga near school.
We’re almost there: There’s a lot to look forward to, and I know these last weeks before the break can feel overwhelming at times. Please remind your children to take care of themselves, reach out when they need support, and find moments to enjoy everything happening around them. As always, I’m here if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in.
Looking forward to the weeks ahead and wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Best, Adnan Mackovic – Head of Residential Life
PYP News
As I write, our swim team is competing at the NTSAA meet in Arusha. I understand that the children have had an enjoyable but very hot day. Results will be shared by Coach Pickell.
Please see Raphael’s flyer in the newsletter below. He is raising money to sponsor an orangutan as part of his action for his PYP Exhibition (PPYPX). Raphael is holding a fundraising bake sale on Tuesday, 18th March outside the P6 classroom at morning break. Brownies will cost 1000 Tsh and cupcakes will come 3000 Tsh. If you wish your child to participate, please send them with money on Tuesday.
Many thanks to our Co- Presidents Azca and Catalina, for leading a card making workshop on Monday with all of the PYP children to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Congratulations to Jack, Anne, Eliza, Adrian, Jeremy, Parth, Naomi and Alyssa for being risktakers by participating in the South African Maths Competition on Thursday. This is the first time primary has participated in this event. Results will be shared later.
If you have any suggestions for the primary section of the school library (for example, a book series that your child is interested in or a favourite author) please email me and we will see if it is possible to include it in our overseas order.
The secondary school Wellbeing Committee has organised a spirit day for Tuesday. The theme is “Compliments Day”. The children should wear bright coloured clothes on this day (school T-shirts are not necessary).
On Friday, 21st March, the PYP children will be presenting in the Swahili primary gathering. Please come along to support your child. The gathering will take place at 7:40am in Karibu Hall.
Thursday, 27th March, will see our P6 students present their PYP Exhibition. Please come along to Rafiki 6-8pm to support our oldest primary school learners as they share their Exhibition journey.
There is a friendly football match happening on our campus against PPA on the afternoon of Friday, 28th March at 1:30. We will field a 9 and under boys’ team, an 11 and under boys’ team and a mixed age girls’ team.
EC – P5 parents should have received an email about signing up for the Student Led Conferences (SLCs) on Tuesday, 25th March. The P6 class will hold their SLCs in Quarter 4. The conferences last from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how much your child wishes to share. There will be several families in the classroom at the same time. Your child will lead the conference. The SLCs provide an opportunity for the children to identify their strengths and also those areas which they still need to develop. The child reflects in their own words on how far they’ve come and what they still need to learn and the parents are active listeners, giving positive feedback and thinking of how they can best support the child. The experience is intended to boost the child’s self confidence and motivation to succeed. We look forward to seeing you there.
PYP afternoon clubs. We have 2 weeks of afternoon clubs left. There will be no clubs on Tuesday, 25th March due to the Student Led Conferences. Clubs will finish for everyone on Thursday, 27th March – there will be no clubs during the final week of the quarter.
Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator
Diploma News
D2 This week the D2 students completed their Language Acquisition orals (for French B, English B and Swahili Ab Initio). The final Math IA was also due which means that many students have submitted all their coursework (apart from Global Politics and the Arts). This can often bring relief and give students time to focus on their final exams.
A reminder that D2 Parents are invited to join us for our graduation on the 23rd May. Each D2 student may invite a max of 3 guests – because of space. We look forward to celebrating these amazing young people together!
D1 D1s will be starting to think about their final D1 exams at the end of April. These will be run in our hall to give students the opportunity to practice real exam conditions. They are also preparing to take over various leadership roles and it is such fun watching them step into leadership.
Please take note of some important dates:
25 March & 27 March: Parent-teacher conferences
4 April: Last day of classes for D2
25 April: Prom
28 April: DP Exam start
23 May: Graduation
30 May: D1 Exams start
19th – 20 June: D1 Packing and flying days
Catherine Dowie – DP Coordinator
Service in Action
At UCWEA, we dedicate 45 min-90 min of our weekly schedule for engaging the community in a variety of service projects. Students have a vast selection of services and communities to support, engage with and design solutions to meet the needs of the community they are engaging. Here are three community engagements which our students have been supporting.
Environmental This quarter, students have been balancing working in the community garden and brainstorming ideas on how to make our campus more sustainable. A few students presented to the Sustainability Committee a few weeks back and this week, they broke ground on their first plot in the garden! Finally, the chickens have been receiving some well-deserved TLC each week from the M1-3s.
Lessons in Conservation Students are finding ways to teach students from local Moshi schools about the value of conservation, teaching about animals, plant life, biodiversity and environmental impacts. Thanks to Lessons in Conservation South Africa, students have been trained in the curriculum and are now preparing their conservation lesson for the M2 class for March 17th as a preliminary practice before delivering the lessons to community schools.
Home for elderly
“Visiting the Old Age Home has been a unique experience for our service group. On our first day, instead of just cleaning, we learned how to plant, getting our hands in the soil and reconnecting with nature in a way we didn’t expect. Connecting with nature helps me remember where I actually come from, so even if sometimes tiring, coming to the Old Age Home is nice.
We also baked and sold cakes to raise funds, turning teamwork into something meaningful for the residents. Another day, we helped clean the outdoor space, making it a more welcoming place for everyone. Through these moments, we learned empathy, and discovered how beautiful the joy of giving back is.” – D1 Isak
EC/P1 Class
Student-led conferences are around the corner. Thank you to all who have signed up. If you haven’t done so already, please do. On this day, you will come with your child at the appointed time, and together, you will go through stations where they can share their learning with you. Ms Neema and I will be in the room to help with a few activities, but not all. The children will be the ones in charge of the conference. You will receive directions as you start if the children forget which station to go to next.
The first picture shows the children working on their word work activities using the light table. The second picture shows the children driving off on a safari trip. Ms. Tamsin joined us this week and taught a group how to draw hippos. Next week, she will take another group and draw zebras.
Mboka Mwasongwe
P2/3 Class
The highlight of the week was our Vet Clinic! We are happy to report that many stuffies were attended to by a team of vets. We had bush babies with broken tails, unicorns with bent horns, and a mix of other injuries and ailments. It was wonderful to see children using specific vocabulary as they went about their work! We intend to keep up our role play explorations of jobs.
Primary will participate in the Spirit Day on Tuesday of wearing brightly coloured clothes. We will take the opportunity to learn more about giving compliments and how important it is to use kind words to build each other up. Otherwise, it is a normal week with the Kiswahili Gathering planned for Friday morning. P2/3 will be sharing a song that reflects the learning from our Water unit.
Kacey Buckley
P4/5 Class
This has been a week that has showcased the generosity and enthusiasm of our community. On Monday, Dr. Oliver Henke visited the class and demonstrated his ultrasound machine. It was a powerful learning experience for the class to be able to see thyroid glands, salivary glands, spleens, hearts, veins and arteries on the screen. Oliver made time for a question and answer session at the end where he patiently answered the children’s enquiries. On Tuesday, Tamsin Barlow, a visiting Zumba teacher, led the children in a very energetic dance session as part of our inquiry into keeping fit. On Thursday, Ms. Frida led a very enjoyable yoga workshop outside in the sunshine. We are so lucky to have people who are willing to give up their time to work with the children. Next week we have some student doctors coming into class from KCMC to share their expertise. We also have a spirit day on Tuesday and the children are requested to wear bright colours on that day. Much of the week ahead will be spent working on portfolios – the children are looking forward to sharing these with you on Tuesday, 25th March, at the Student Led Conferences.
Deborah Mills
P6 Class
Shake it, own it, Zumba it! P6 threw themselves into Zumba this week, learning some funky dance moves and having a blast in the process. A big thank you to Ms. Tamsin for visiting UWCEA and sharing her passion for Zumba with us — it was an energetic and fun-filled session.
We also celebrated International Women’s Day. Our Co-Presidents Azka and Catalina spoke to P6 about its origins and the importance of appreciating the incredible women in our lives who act as everyday superheroes. The children also made thoughtful cards to show their gratitude and appreciation.
As part of their PYPX work, P6 have been busy gathering information through individual activities—some children interviewed local miners, others visited Simbas to learn more about their program or observed a local daycare center. There were experiments done in the chemistry lab, a visit to a farm, and a Zoom meeting was arranged with a conservation scientist in Ethiopia. They’ve also been analysing the results of their whole-school survey to draw conclusions from the data.
Looking ahead, next week will be an exciting one as P6 prepare their boards and finish off their interactive displays in the final lead-up to the PYP Exhibition on March 27. The countdown is on, and P6 can’t wait!
Please note that there is a spirit day, “Compliments Day” on Tuesday and the dress code is wear brightly coloured clothes.
Natasha Berri
South African Mathematics Olympiad 2025
This year, we saw an incredible surge in participation for the South African Mathematics Olympiad, with more students than ever signing up to put their problem-solving skills to the test. The Olympiad is known for its thought-provoking and intricate challenges, and our mathematicians rose to the occasion, embracing the rigorous demands of the competition.
Taking the exam online introduced an additional layer of complexity, but our participants tackled the challenge head-on, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of mathematics. The difficulties encountered were not seen as setbacks but rather as steppingstones to greater understanding and skill.
We hope that every participant enjoyed the thrill of mathematical exploration and left the Olympiad with a renewed passion for the subject. Congratulations to all who took part—your dedication and perseverance are truly commendable! Thank you to Yavna for her help in organizing the event.
Catch a glimpse of a Olympiad question here:
South African Mathematics Challenge 2025 South African Math Challenge is a math competition organized by the South African Math Federation for grades 4 to 7. 18 of our students from across P4 to M1 participated in the challenge on 13th of March 2025. This initiative aimed to foster the love for mathematics among our students and we were very happy to receive much enthusiasm from the students that participated. The competition was aimed at pushing their potential by posing challenges that went beyond their standard curriculum. This was the first round of the competition, and we will soon publish the results for students who have made it to the second round. We are very proud of the students that participated, and we hope students will keep on challenging themselves with these types of competitions. Thank you to Lily and Alvis for their help in organizing the event.
If you want to challenge yourself, then try this question from SAMC.
