This last week was a full week with more to come in the following weeks. Congratulations to the Sustainability Committee for their virtual summit on Thursday which drew people from within Tanzania and beyond. On Friday we had both the Farmers’ Market and the Blood Drive. The KCMC team are ecstatic that they broke the goal of 100 units with 116 total collected. Congratulations to them and thank you to the community for supporting them. Today the TEDx team takes over with their event in K-hall starting at 1:30pm. You can see below we also have notices for our upcoming events and more information about the Personal Project exhibition and Book Week. Please be sure to click on the view entire message tab at the bottom of the newsletter so that you can read the full details of this wonderful event.
It is great to be back on campus. I have been away supporting the accreditation of a different school through MSA and CIS. While it is great to see how other schools operate and you always get to learn something new, I must say I am happy to be back here.
Please enjoy all the articles below.
Bob Cofer – Head of Campus
Upcoming Events
Spanish Cultural Night – Sunday 2nd of March at 7pm in Rafiki Hall
Ben’s Corner
One of the drawbacks of such a dynamic and action-packed campus is that, sometimes, we do not take the time to appreciate and digest events as we have a tendency to quickly move on to the next thing. This short week is the perfect example of how we fall into this trap, with M5 Mocks, two Culture Nights, a Blood Drive, a Farmers’ Market, TEDX Youth, a volleyball tournament and the Virtual Tanzanian Youth Climate Summit all happening. It is relentless…in a good way! With so much to choose from, I wanted to shine the spotlight on Thursday’s wonderful online summit.
One part of our Mission statement that has always stood out for me is the notion of using education to unite people, cultures and nations for a sustainable future. Our Sustainability Coordinator, Will Taylor, and the Moshi Campus Sustainability Committee aim to ensure that we abide by our Mission or, at least, strive to. This idea is starting to creep into school Guiding Statements the world over but what does this actually mean in practice?
The summit was a fabulous platform to raise awareness, share good practice and inspire action. We acknowledge a responsibility to our host community to participate in the protection and preservation of unique and abundant biodiversity and it was wonderful to be joined by so many passionate students, experts and enthusiasts from across the region. Participants were treated to an eclectic mix of workshops and discussions, with speakers, experts and, more pertinently, our students facilitating sessions on:
Women’s Health Empowerment
MYP Lessons in School Sustainability
DP Environmental Service
Clean up Service
Sustainable Fashion in Tanzania
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in organising and hosting this inspiring event. Sustainability and environmental stewardship must remain central to our decision-making as a school and continue to be a shared responsibility and consideration. There are exciting plans on the near horizon to continue to promote sustainable practices on and beyond campus and you are all most welcome to get involved.
Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus
Diploma News
The last two weeks have been full of exciting activities on campus. The D1 Spanish Ab Initio class had a Spanish-speaking classmate come to class to talk about Dia De Muertos in Mexico as part of their practice on traditions and costumes for the oral component. In their English classes, they presented panel discussions based on the books they have read. Many of the D1s were involved in organising the Blood Drive, the Farmers’ Market and the Youth Climate Summit – all of which were really successful events. It is so nice to see the D1 students moving into leadership roles and organising events like these.
The D2 students completed their final reflections for their Extended Essays and TOK essays. Many of them are heading into the final stages of coursework submissions and will likely face some pressure over the next few weeks. On a slightly more fun side, they are also designing and costing their class hoodies which will be available for order soon. On Monday, tickets will become available for the Prom. The D1 prom committee is well on the way to preparing for the Class of 2025’s final high school dance! We look forward to celebrating with them on 25 April.
Catherine Dowie – DP Coordinator
Diploma English
The Diploma program requires students to use texts as ways to discuss their understanding of life and circumstances thereby building empathy and an eloquent expression to speak about pressing issues like racism, inequality and injustice (to name a few). This week, D1 students engaged in a panel discussion based on the texts they have studied. The format of the discussion required students to act as the authors of the books that they have read. The students engaged in enriching discourse, which not just gave an insight about the authors but also the choices that they made to create characters and plot. The objective of the activity was to help students build comparative skills required for paper 2 where the students have to compare and contrast the ways in which two books that they have studied bring out similar themes. What is worth applauding is the precision with which they completed the task and displayed a sincere effort towards learning.
Vagisha Shrivastava
TOK
On Wednesday 19th February, the Theory of Knowledge: Knowledge and Language class, hosted a discussion on the impacts on a community of banning a language.
A panel of students and staff talked about how this had happened in their country and what it meant. We heard about Irish, Polish, Belarussian, Ukrainian, Taiwanese and South African Languages.
It was very informative and led to conversations after the event. The impact on the literature of the country was discussed. Polish books were often written and published outside of Poland; most Irish authors write in English for example.
Thank you to everyone who contributed.
A knowledge question that came out of this is: “Can a government limit our knowledge by banning a language?”
On Thursday 27th February most D2 students submitted their final TOK essay. They had to choose one of 6 titles prescribed by IB such as “Does acquiring knowledge destroy our sense of wonder?” and write 1600 words discussing the ideas. They have discussed these as groups and individuals and with many teachers. I have read some amazing essays and had some very interesting conversations.
Residential Life
Dear UWCEA Community,
The past few weeks have been filled with moments that remind us why this community is so special. From shared meals and deep conversations to celebrations of love, culture, and connection, it’s been incredible to see the way we continue to show up for one another.
Kisiwa Dorm recently gathered for a dinner that felt like family—full of laughter, good food, and the kind of conversations that make a place feel like home. Thank you Ms. Rahma for your generous support in organizing this outing! It was a reminder of how important it is to have a space where we can truly be ourselves, support one another, and create lasting friendships.
We also had the privilege of learning from professionals who have dedicated their lives to humanitarian work. The talk on careers in the United Nations and NGOs sparked meaningful discussions about what it means to serve others and make an impact. Seeing students engage, ask thoughtful questions, and consider their own paths was truly inspiring. Thank you, Ms. Amelie, for inspiring our students!
Valentine’s Day brought warmth and joy to our campus as we gathered for a beautiful dinner organized by the Kiota dorm. Whether through music, heartfelt conversations, or simply sharing a meal together, the evening was a beautiful reflection of the relationships that make our community so strong. The Student Government added an extra touch by delivering roses, candy, and heartfelt messages—small but meaningful gestures that made the day even more special.
Finally, we welcomed the Chinese New Year, learning about and honoring traditions that connect us to a culture rich in history and celebration. The decorations, food, and shared joy reminded us of the beauty of our diverse community and the many ways we can celebrate and learn from one another.
It’s moments like these that make UWCEA more than just a school – it’s a place where we lift each other up, celebrate together, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who helped make these events so meaningful. Here’s to more moments of connection, learning, and joy in the weeks ahead.
Best,
Adnan Mackovic – Head of Residential Life
MYP News
Welcome back to a short week after a well-deserved long weekend! Sometimes, a break is just what we need to rest, recharge, and get back into the swing of things. Even though the week was short, it was a busy one, especially for our M5 students as they worked hard to wrap up their Personal Projects and sat for their mock assessments. In our MYP classes, we keep moving forward, picking up right where we left off, and that’s what makes it such a great framework where learning never really stops, it just keeps building. We have an eventful couple of weeks coming up!
M5 Mock Assessments The M5 students returned from their long weekend straight into their mock assessments, diving into the on-screen exams administered through the IB’s dedicated platform. This experience provided them with a valuable opportunity to familiarize themselves with the digital format, refine their time management skills, and navigate the platform’s tools under exam conditions. Many students reflected on the challenge of balancing speed and accuracy, while others appreciated the chance to apply their knowledge in a structured, real-time setting.
MYPX2025 M5 students will be finalizing their Personal Project Exhibition preparations on March 8-9, and all-day students are expected to be on campus on both days to ensure their displays and presentations are ready. We warmly invite you to join us on Monday, March 10, for the Personal Project Exhibition at K-Hall, UWCEA Moshi Campus. Witness the creativity, dedication, and innovation of our students as they showcase their projects and share their learning journeys.
Book Week This year, Book Week will have a Spirit Week feel! While there won’t be a whole-school assembly, the excitement is still high.
MYP Mentor groups will create tableau-style group photos representing a book or scene
Monday: DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) during Mentor time, MYP students can join Primary students.
Tuesday: Where’s Waldo?: Wear stripes! A hidden person will have candy for those who find them.
Wednesday: Guess the Teacher: Photos of teachers hiding behind books will be displayed. Students can submit guesses, and correct entries will be entered into a prize draw.
Thursday: Dress Like a Book Character…Battle of the Books will take place, and Mentor groups will take their tableau photos.
We are excited to see the MYP students put on their creativity hats and get involved!
MYP Dates to Remember
March 3rd to 7th – Book Week
March 8th & 9th – MYPX Setup
March 10th – MYPX (Personal Project Exhibition)
March 18th to 21st – M5 French Final Orals
April 2nd – M3 Science Fair
April 5th to 21st – Holiday
April 22nd – Classes Resume Q4
Have a wonderful week ahead! Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator
PYP News
On Friday 14th February, our U9 and U11 football teams travelled to Hope International School. The U9 and U11 boys’ teams were undefeated. Our mixed age girls’ team won their first game (with some of our young players playing against much older ones) and narrowly lost their final game. All of the players had a wonderful time and we are very proud of them.
On Tuesday, 25th February we had the PYP swim gala. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and made this event possible. The final scores were 1st place: Kibo, 2nd place: Meru and 3rd place: Mawenzi. The morning ended with Mr. Morley leading the children in a “big jump” into the pool (see photo).
Monday 3rd – Friday 7th March is Book Week and we have some lovely activities lined up. Please see the poster from Ms. Kacey below for details. Be sure to send in a “Get Caught Reading” photo of your child to your child’s class teacher or directly to Ms. Kacey at kaceybuckley@uwcea.org
Friday, 7th March, is the EC/P1 primary gathering which will take place behind Ms. Mboka’s classroom. Please join us for a 7:40am start to support our youngest learners.
Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator
Book Week
Book Week! There are lots of fun activities going on throughout the week. An email was sent to all Primary parents describing these. There are two special days that could use support from home:
Tuesday- Where’s Wally Day! Be sure to wear your stripes
Thursday- Dress like a Book Character Day and Battle of the Books
Don’t forget to send in Get Caught Reading photos. These can be sent to your child’s teacher.
Also, we’d love to have parents sign up to be Mystery Readers. Be in touch with your child’s teacher about the best timing.
EC/P1 Class
Welcome back from the long weekend. We have spent three days returning to daily routines and practicing for our primary gathering. We hope you can come and watch us. The gathering will occur at our playground, not at Rafiki or K-Hall.
Please check the email I sent you this week with all the information concerning our play and the clothing items needed. We are looking forward to all the dress-up days.
The photo shared is of the class and Ms. Susann. We said goodbye to her before our long weekend. The children loved having her in our class, and we already miss her.
Ms. Neema and I congratulate all the children who attended the swimming gala. It was the first swimming gala for some, and they were brave enough to participate in the races without fear. Well done everyone.
Mboka Mwasongwe
P2/3 Class
Our short week was fine – lots of learning and activity but the week ahead is what we’re excited about! Please take advantage of BOOK WEEK as a way to promote enthusiasm and interest in reading. See the note above about ways to be involved. A few parents have already signed up to be Mystery Readers! We’d love to fill all the spots. We’re especially looking forward to Where’s Wally Day on Tuesday with everyone wearing stripes and to Dress like a Book Character Day on Thursday!
We did kick off our new unit – Jobs.
The Central Idea is: People carry out various roles which support the function of a community.
Let me know if you’d be willing to come and talk to our class about your job!
Kacey Buckley
P4/5 Class
It was only a 3 day week but the P4/5 children squeezed in five days’ worth of work! They have continued researching different body systems and are nearly ready to publish their learning. The children have been sorting their morning snacks into different food groups and have started learning how the different food groups help our bodies. Next week we will look at unhealthy behaviours such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption on the human body. We will also spend some time writing entries for the Book Week related story writing competition. In maths we have been working on multiplication and word problems and next week we will focus on division. Please remind your child to keep practicing with their flashcards at home. Thank you for all of the Get Caught Reading photos that have been sent in ahead of Book Week – they look great. If you’ve not managed to send one in yet, why not take a photo of your child reading in an unusual situation or location this weekend? If you would like to read a story to the class we would love for you to come in – please send me an email and we can arrange a convenient time.
Deborah Mills
P6 Class
I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Even though it was a short week, we managed to fit in a lot! P6 have now passed the halfway mark in their PYPX preparation, busily interviewing experts and deciding on their ‘action’ steps.
Excitement is building in our class for Book Week. On Tuesday, we are inviting everyone to dress as Wally from the Where’s Wally? series, and on Thursday, come as your favourite book character. It is sure to be a fun-filled celebration of reading! Please don’t forget to email your child’s Get Caught Reading photo.
We have also been reading books featured in the Battle of the Books quiz, discovering new picture books to vote for our favourite, and getting creative by decorating our classroom door to bring The Wild Robot by Peter Brown to life. We cannot wait to celebrate the magic of books together next week.
Natasha Berri
Outdoor Pursuits
The Peaks Challenge trip to Kilimanjaro was indeed a challenge! No surprises there! 22 brave students from both campuses joined the trip, to which Mr Isaac described summit night as one of the coldest he can ever remember. As with all OP trips, safety is the main priority, and a successful trip is one where everyone returns back to campus safe without serious injury! Whilst the effects of altitude were felt and freezing temperatures took their toll, all students came away with a sense of achievement and enjoyment. Full student review next week!
As with trips of any kind, OP trips require a huge amount of planning with multiple trips being organised at the same time. A reminder, please ensure to give parental permission before the sign-up window closes, as this helps with confirmation of numbers. Students without parental permission will be withdrawn.
Finally, we are already looking to planning the next set of trips for the 25/26 academic year – not an easy job! We will aim to get this completed as soon as possible so students and families can start planning which trips they may like to attend next year.
The OP Team
Sustainability
On Thursday, February 27th, 2025, the Sustainability Committee of UWCEA Moshi hosted the first virtual Tanzanian Youth Climate Summit [vTYCS] on behalf of Tanzania’s Student Coalition on Climate [TaSCC]. This was the first of its kind, aimed at as low a footprint as can be managed and delivered a strong message not only locally, but regionally and up to the UN level.
The day started with an opening ceremony hosted by Alvis R, Marta M and Andressa B (committee leaders) who opened the ceremony to the virtual guests and all of the M4, D1 and D2 students. Handing over to Sofia K, Leonor J (former committee leads) and Pijus V (D2) who recapped the UWCEA journey with TaSCC, highlighting previous summits and events held in collaboration, including the 2023 summit and the 2024 talk they hosted with Jane Goodall.
This gave way to a recorded address from Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program) who delivered an impactful and inspiring address. She is Chagga and calls Moshi home, the gratitude to her for her input cannot be put into words.
Andressa then led a carbon footprint tracking workshop, moving into the action phase of the summit. Many participants were eager to share their own footprints, engaging virtually and with some troubleshooting able to engage from across the region.
Next up was Delicia Mwanyika (left), a Tanzanian climate leader based in Dar es Salaam who has an impressive track record. Her message was also inspiring, calling for actions, for change agents to be informed, to find their niche in terms of taking action in the face of environmental challenges. Delicia is a powerful figure who captured the summit, answering questions around her journey, providing valuable insights into what it takes to make meaningful change. The summit was truly graced by her presence and gained so much from her knowledge and advice.
After a short break, it was time for Sarah B (D2) to take center stage. Sarah introduced many schools and peers to the work she continues to grow through her sustainable fashion endeavours. Much as she did with the catwalk during our school’s sharation event in December, Sara’s designs and efforts for sustainable fashion truly shined.
Then it was time for Carbon Tanzania’s CEO David Beroff (left) with his operations manager Azaria Kilimba (right: photo credit Carbon Tanzania) hosted by Charity A and Lily T. For some, this was their favourite discussion as David offered an economic lens which provides an opportunity for ecosystem services. Then Azaria shared valuable insights into the on-the-ground management of such areas and the agreement’s connections to a community level. Some tough questions were asked, but this added further value to the enrichment of understanding amongst participants. They are action driven and it was very apparent.
A debate and discussion was then hosted in smaller breakout sessions (rooms), committee members, Charity, Lily, Sharon, Rory, Ivy, and Camille jumped into action taking a lead role in these discussions around next steps for TaSCC. The virtual setting set the scene, and eventually fruitful discussions were had, with many participants across Tanzania providing valuable insights and demonstrations of interest to join TaSCC and take action.
For the final keynote speaker the summit participants are forever grateful. Keynote speaker Shilpa Tiwari provided key insights into intersectionality and climate justice. This session was live and in person with virtual participants in full participation. A video from Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) provided real world insights into the uneven distribution of impacts from climate change. Finding solutions requires equity and inclusion, students were challenged to foster quick action solutions to environmental social justice issues.
The final workshops were hosted by UWCEA Moshi’s Women’s Health Empowerment (WHE), DP Environmental Service, Clean-up Service and Sustainability in School’s (M4). Their workshops went to breakout rooms for a final chance to discuss sustainability, climate justice and restoration in the context of schools. A special thanks to WHE for their flexibility, making a valuable contribution connecting access to sanitary pads to climate justice. The participants were engaged and at this point acquainted with the virtual interface.
The event closed with a celebration of the day’s event and an address from the head of TaSCC, Faith Maeda, a young Tanzanian who has been engaging over 100 schools in tree planting and a true advocate for climate action. Although her speech was interrupted by the summit’s first connectivity issue, her presence was appreciated and for all intents and purposes it seems action involving collaboration is imminent. Closing remarks were provided by Alvis, Marta and Andressa. With a thump on the lectern, the virtual Tanzanian Youth Climate Summit 2025 was declared closed to great fanfare in the room and with overwhelming gratitude pouring from the closing live Zoom call.
Congratulations to all of those in attendance and involved in this groundbreaking endeavour.
