It is hard to believe that we are reaching the end of April, and the Diploma exams start next week.
This last week has been an emotional one for students as the D2 students are finishing up their careers in Moshi. Friday saw us celebrating their time here with the traditional assembly, clap out and pool party with the Prom in the evening. I will post a few pictures at the end of the newsletter so you can experience a taste of the day.
To the D2 students, congratulations on work so far and best of luck on the coming exams.
While the D2 students are the focus, the M5 students are not far behind as their own exams start in May, and they too are approaching their last days as MYP students.
Please read through the newsletter to see more about what is happening on campus.
Bob Cofer – Head of Campus
Parent Coffee
On Tuesday May 6th at 8 am we will be hosting a Parent Coffee in the social center for those that would like to join us. This is an opportunity for us to socialize and talk about the school, the year past, and the year to come.
Over the next 6 weeks we also plan to host an online “Parent Coffee” for parents further away. This along with online meetings for parents of new D1 students and new MYP students means there are lots of opportunities to talk with us about the 2025/26 school year.
Bob Cofer
Spirit Week
Hello everyone!
Welcome back, the Wellbeing Committee hopes you had a great and restful break!
The week of 28th of April – 2nd of May is spirit week. The schedule is as follows:
Jersey day – Monday
Wear your favourite sport jersey and show some team spirit on Monday!
Mismatch day – Tuesday
Stripes and polka dots, a fashion nightmare? Not today! Show off your crazed mismatched combos on Tuesday.
Iconic duo day – Wednesday
Peanut butter and jelly, SpongeBob and Patrick, Candler and Joey. Grab a friend and dress up as an iconic duo from life, movies or books on Wednesday!
Workers Day (Public holiday) – Thursday
Anything but a bag day – Friday
Loose the backpacks and tote bags, put your school books in anything but a bag! Could be a laundry basket, a helmet, a shoe box, etc.
Show your school spirit and have fun!
Wellbeing Committee
Ps. D2s and M5s, good luck with exams!
Ben’s Corner
I trust you all enjoyed a safe and restful break with family and friends. I certainly appreciated the time to disconnect and recharge. I am now looking forward to another fulfilling and dynamic quarter at UWCEA. For our D2 and M5 students, the coming weeks have added significance. Be sure to give everything you can to ensure your results are a true reflection of your efforts, abilities and understanding. Do not procrastinate. Be strategic and focused. Take time for yourselves as, forgetting to, is counterproductive. Listen to and look out for each other. Be mindful. At times, it will not be easy but make sure it is worth it and, as I have said to many of you, remember that this too shall pass.
Quarter 4 is (thankfully?) shorter than Quarter 3 but, rather unsurprisingly, there is a huge amount happening in the next 9 weeks or so. We have already enjoyed the M3 Science Fair, MAP testing, Holi celebrations, the D2 Final Assembly and Clap Out AND the Prom…and this was a four-day week! On the horizon we have Cultural Nights, Spirit Week, more MAP testing, Primary Camps, the TOK Exhibition, Focus Days and sports fixtures, as well as OP Trips and the Week of Giving Back. In the background, there is also the small matter of exams, eAssessments, summatives and, of course, the M5 Ceremony, D2 Graduation and P6 Ceremony.
As always, please be sure to keep up with all the latest happenings through this newsletter and be sure to get involved and help out and support wherever you can.
Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus
Diploma News
At the final assembly this week, I shared Kobi Yamada’s picture book “What do you do with an idea?” The story follows a child who is initially afraid of their big ideas but once they accept them, grow them and then bravely share them with the world, they have the potential to change the world. I encouraged our D2s to protect and nurture their ideas in the coming years – we can’t wait to see the impact they will have! Our assembly ended with a beautiful, joyful karaoke rendition of “Africa” by Toto and it was such fun to watch the students burst into song during the chorus – “it’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you, there’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do, I bless the rains down on Africa!”
We then clapped the students out. The procession was led by Ms Margaret Brunt, who was their Diploma coordinator when they started and the D1s, MYP and PYP students gave out roses and heart felt good luck cards. Thanks to Mr Samuel, Mr Baden, Mr Ramy, Mr Ben and the students who formed part of the band, making the clap out more lively and joyful.
The D2s had a pizza lunch at the pool at their annual pool party before returning to their rooms or the salons to prepare for the prom!
A huge congratulations to our prom committee who organised a speculator evening of laughter, dancing and speeches. I was especially proud of Mr Wambua and Mr Mmassy for receiving the Best Teacher Duo – it is true, they really are a great teaching team! In true form, they were outside together on supervision duty as the award was made! A big thank you to the teachers who gave up their evening to chaperone the prom – Mr Cofer, Mr Adnan, Ms Val, Ms Rina, Mr David, Mr Samuel, Mr Mmassy and to Mr Mateusz and Mr Ally for taking photographs. The students looked beautiful and spirits were high.
This coming week, we will begin final D2 exams and we wish our students all the best.
Catherine Dowie – Diploma Coordinator
D2 Holiday Trip
Over the break, D2 students had the opportunity to visit Tarangire National Park before exams begin.
Our trip – although very short – to Tarangire National Park was truly a bonding experience for some of us D2 students. All cramped up together in the car, fighting nausea and sleep, I can say it turned out to be a great day! We almost had a one-on-one with a little elephant, and then greeted his whole gang together with a bunch of giraffes. Despite my camera dying, I’ve definitely captured the unique, meaningful moments. Glad to be able to check this off the bucket list now!
Naz D2
Science in Action
On Saturday, March 29th, three DP1 Physics students visited Moshi Technical Secondary School, a local school in Moshi, to lead a Science Session with 8 secondary school students.
The Science Session was filled with diverse and exciting activities: A Mathematics puzzle with fake coins, a colorful Thermal Physics experiment on density and temperature, and Optics demonstrations where a beaker became “invisible” and a tiny “microscope” was made using a laser and a drop of water.
The real highlights, however, were the students themselves. They gathered as a team, curiously asking “Why?” & “How?”, eagerly came up with hypotheses, and confidently stepped on stage to express their opinions.
“The most memorable moments were seeing a student speak four languages, everyone gasping when the beaker disappeared, and a student saying ‘Thank you, this is so cool’,” said the DP1s.
Overall, not only the local students, but the DP1 Physics students also learned a lot of Physics and Math in a more practical and intuitive way. In the future, the project hopes to not only help students passively learn science but also empower them to explore science in their own way.
First Aid with KCMC
On the 25th, 26th and 27th of March, KCMC carried out first aid courses for our DP students. This was led by Dr. Marieke Dekker along with interns who were our instructors for the course. Dr Marieke started off the session by explaining various sources of danger that can result in the need for first aid, such as snake bites, altitude sickness, drowning, etc. Afterwards, we had the privilege to attend a session led by Dr. Daan who was teaching first aid. We were taught the different steps to offer first aid if we were to ever find ourselves in such a situation, including proper CPR and recovery techniques. Dr. Daan and the rest of the doctors were very welcoming with questions and implemented fun ways of teaching us CPR, providing us with a mannequin doll to mimic an actual human being and a playlist of special “CPR songs” to the beat of which we can perform CPR with proper timing.
We wholeheartedly thank Dr. Marieke, Dr. Daan, Dr. Sara, Dr. Chiara, Dr. Anna and Dr. Rick for their time, effort and patience along the span of these three days. We really appreciate the learning opportunity and are grateful for the ability to achieve this certificate from such qualified doctors.
Azka
Residential Life
Dear UWCEA Community, As the final weeks of the school year approach, campus life is filled
with a bittersweet energy. We’re entering a season of transitions—some exciting, some emotional, and all deeply meaningful.
Our M5 students are preparing to step into the world of the Diploma Programme, marking a new chapter in their academic and personal journeys. Many are already imagining what life in the D1 dorms will be like, and we’re proud to witness their growing confidence and readiness for what lies ahead.
At the same time, our D2 students are nearing the end of their time with us. With the clap out ceremony this Friday, final exams and graduation just around the corner, the dorms are echoing with late-night conversations, farewell notes, and the quiet weight of goodbyes. Our final D2 dorm dinners were a moment to celebrate friendships, share memories, and close this chapter with love and gratitude.
We’re also beginning to look ahead. Planning is underway for orientation week and new dorm assignments, and we are carefully considering how to build balanced, welcoming communities in the year to come. Transition conversations are happening in every house, and we’re working closely with students to ensure they feel supported, heard, and prepared.
Some of our teachers and residential staff are also preparing for their next adventures beyond UWCEA. While it’s always hard to say goodbye, we are thankful for the care and connection they’ve brought to our community, and we look forward to celebrating them in the weeks ahead.
This time of year reminds us that the heart of residential life is the people—the laughter, the shared meals, the quiet support, the late-night chats, the resilience, and the joy. We are proud of each student and grateful to all families, staff, and community members who continue to help us make the dorms feel like home.
With all these transitions in motion, we want to begin coordinating end-of-year travel and departures. Please check your inbox for the departure form in the next few days, also linked to the dates below.
This will help us confirm travel plans, arrange transportation, and ensure all students leave campus safely and with the support they need.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s plans, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best, Adnan Mackovic – Head of Residential Life
MYP News
The first week back didn’t feel like a slow return at all…in fact, it felt more like we never left. From the start, the campus has been buzzing with activity. Our M1 to M3 students jumped straight into their second round of MAP testing, M4s are preparing for a hands-on Physics project that promises to bring concepts to life, and M5s are diving into their final stretch with exams, assessments, and transition plans already underway. Add to that the usual energy around campus. It’s safe to say we’re in full gear for an exciting final quarter.
M3 Science Fair The M3 Science Fair was a showcase of thoughtful questions and hands-on exploration. Students examined topics like how sound moves through materials, how different lights affect plant growth, and even how the brain influences reaction time. Others tested acidity levels in everyday beverages or designed creative experiments using lemons, sugar solutions, and homemade turbines. With clear communication and scientific thinking, our students demonstrated a strong understanding of the inquiry process and how science connects to real life. A great display of engagement and curiosity across the board. Thank you, Ms. Albina, and M3!
M5 Ceremony- Save the Date! It gives us great pleasure to invite you to the M5 Ceremony on Friday, May 30th, 2025, as our students prepare to complete their MYP journey and move on to the Diploma Programme. To help us plan, we kindly ask all families to complete the Google Form. Parents/guardians who are interested in helping with the event setup are invited to a short planning meeting this coming Wednesday at 2:30 PM.
MYP Dates to Remember April 28th – M5 Evening Study Sessions Start May 1st – Public Holiday May 5th to 16th – M5 eAssessments and EOY Exams May 30th – M5 Ceremony June 13th, 16th & 17th – Days of Giving Back June 19th – Classes End
Have a wonderful week ahead! Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator
PYP News
It was lovely to see the children return to school and to hear all of their holiday news. The photo shows the D2 clap-out. Our PYP children were very excited to distribute flowers and farewell posters and to say goodbye to their D2 friends.
The primary clubs sign up link was emailed to parents on Friday. The slight delay is because we were hoping to find some external providers of clubs but that has not proved to be possible at this time. Please sign your child up for clubs over the weekend as we are keen to get started. There will be no clubs on Monday, 28th April. I realise some of the children will be disappointed by the delay but, as the sign up is happening over a weekend, we need the time on Monday to organise clubs logistics. Therefore, children should go home at the end of classes on Monday. Primary clubs will start on Tuesday, 29th April. Thank you for your patience.
Next week is Spirit Week. The themes are as follows:
Monday – Sporty clothing, football shirts etc.
Tuesday – Patterns. Wear as many spots, stripes, checks etc. as possible
Wednesday – Pairs or twins day. Dress like a friend or dress like a pair from a TV show or movie (Sponge Bob and Patrick, Harry and Hermione, Batman and Robin)
Thursday – Public Holiday. No classes.
Friday – Anything except a bag day. Bring your things to school in a cardboard box, a laundry basket, a bicycle helmet or anything else that you can think of!
If you also have children in the secondary school, please note that the dress up themes for secondary may be slightly different for each day.
The P4-6 classes will take the MAP assessments in reading, language and maths, beginning on Monday, 28th April. There is no special preparation needed for the assessments. Please ensure that your child gets a good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast and brings a water bottle and a healthy snack to school. The results of the assessments will be shared by email in the coming week and will be used by teachers to plan for future learning.
The P2/3 Primary Gathering will take place on Friday, 2nd May in Karibu Hall. You are warmly invited to attend.
Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator
EC/P1 Class
What a fantastic start to the quarter! We welcomed four new students this week: one in EC1, one in EC2, and two in P1. New friendships have been made, and we have begun to settle back into our class routines. This week, we read ‘The Smeds and the Smoos’ by Julia Donaldson and started discussing choices. Janet and Bill, the characters in the book, made some choices that helped their families come together. We will continue to look at this book next week as we unpack this theme more.
Transdisciplinary Theme: How We Express Ourselves
Central Idea: My choices help me express myself.
Lines of Inquiry:
Different types of choices and their effects.
Using reflection to make better choices.
Ways to express myself, my thoughts, and my feelings.
The picture shows P1s working together to solve a jigsaw puzzle. They were working on their communication skills, learning to listen to one another and speak valid words that would help the team complete the task.
Mboka Mwasongwe
P2/3 Class
The first week of Q4 was great! We have begun our focus on telling time. We started slowly with just telling time to the hour and half hour. In the week ahead we’ll look at quarter past and quarter to as well as telling time to 5-minute intervals.
The Primary Post is open for business! Each day students have been tasked with picking up the mail, sorting the mail and delivering the mail. We’ve written lots of letters and we’ve enjoyed receiving letters as well. If you have any interest in joining the fun, feel free to slip letters into our class mailbox! Don’t forget to draw on a stamp.
We hope that many people will be able to join us for our Primary Gathering on Friday. We will be showing the things we’ve done during this busy, fun unit about Jobs in the Community. The Gathering will close with the opening of our final business: The One-Day Café! No need to bring real money, our class will be making some money for all to use. We will take some time in the student kitchen on Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare some goodies for everyone in Primary and any visiting parents to make a purchase from our Café.
Kacey Buckley
P4/5 Class
The P4/5 children returned to school full of excitement from the holidays and immediately settled down and worked hard for the 4 days of school – Ms. Catherine and I were very impressed by their focus. The children practiced adding fractions with unlike denominators and simplifying fractions. They are now also experts at punctuating dialogue. Our UOI work this week has been on a serious topic. The children completed a simulation activity, pretending to be refugees fleeing from a dangerous situation. They then looked at photos of items that real refugees carry with them and learned about some of the challenges they faced on their journeys. Lastly we started a discussion on why refugees are not always welcomed by their new communities. This is a difficult topic with no easy answer and we will continue thinking about it next week. We ended the week on a high note, clapping out the D2s and making chocolate nests, decorated with eggs. Please note that we plan to go camping to Wildtracks in USA River on May 7th. The children will bring the letter home on Monday.
Deborah Mills
P6 Class
It was great to see P6’s smiling faces return this week, ready to start a new quarter.
On Friday, we said farewell to our D2 students with a traditional clap-out. We wish them all the best as they begin their exams next week.
In Maths, we focused on decimals and money. We also started our new unit of inquiry, looking at the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which sparked some thoughtful discussions.
Next week we will be busy with MAP testing:
Monday: Reading Tuesday: Maths Wednesday: Language Thursday: Public Holiday Friday: Make-up Tests
We are also looking forward to Spirit Week and clubs starting up again. Natasha Berri
Outdoor Pursuits
Welcome back to Quarter 4! The Reefs trips before the Easter holiday were a great success, with our Discovery, Exploration and Challenge groups all having a fantastic time. The school now has 11 Open Water and 4 Advanced Open Water newly certified divers.
Pupil reviews of the trips will be next week.
In Quarter 4 we have five trips:
Plains Adventure: Maramboi (1st – 4th May)
Peaks Discovery: Kilomeni (3rd – 4th May)
Plains Discovery: Monduli (16th – 18th May)
Reefs Exploration: Fish Eagle Point (6th – 9th June)
Peaks Discovery: Longido (7th – 9th June)
Sign up for the May trips are now closed but if you are keen for the June trips, then please log on to Life and sign up. The OP team is excited for the final set of trips and allowing students to explore some of Tanzania’s amazing landscapes.
You should have also received communication from the OP team during the break regarding trips for the 2025/26 session. The OP team has worked hard to produce the calendar for the next academic year so as to provide ample time for your planning and budgeting. Please do review this communication. Please note that none of these trips will reflect in LIFE until later this academic year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
