Moshi Campus News – 7 Dec 2024

We are heading into the last week of the term before the December-January Break. This is a time that it seems should be a time to slow down, but the reality is quite different. The events continue on to the last minute as you can read below. I truly hope everyone found the semester an enjoyable one and was able to learn and laugh along the way.

This week we have no school on Monday as it is Independence Day, a national holiday. On Wednesday we have primary conferences and a Thank You Morning.

The reports will be coming out this week. We will have the primary reports out Monday so parents have them for the conferences and on Friday the remaining reports will be issued.

This is the last newsletter of the calendar year; it is a packed one so please open it in a browser so you can see everything that is included. Our next newsletter will be in the new year before we start school.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday and look forward to seeing you on January 14th for the start of the new term.

Bob Cofer – Head of Campus

This event is open to the wider community and we look forward to welcoming you to this celebration of projects at a variety of stages. Our project teams will host talks, workshops, a swap shop, a fashion show, demonstrations and calls for partnerships.

Over the course of the semester there are a lot of people that help the school in so many different ways. There is no way we can truly thank everyone in the parent body and community for all your support. The efforts such as Uja parents, in the PTA, helping in classrooms and volunteering at events are just part of what you do. As a small token of our thanks, on Wednesday starting at 8am on the green in front of K-hall we will be having a social to say thank those that have given their time to make this a better place for the students.

Everyone is welcome to stop by.

 

As educators, observing teaching and learning is, arguably, the most effective way to build internal capacity. Over time, creating an environment where teachers are encouraged to ‘drop-in’ on each other’s lessons promotes peer to peer learning and feedback through collaboration and sharing best practice. At UWCEA, our teachers are invited to visit a diverse selection of their colleagues in other departments and grade levels as part of our ongoing school improvement.

I often find the drop-in experience reinvigorating and motivational in equal measure. More often than not, these newsletters celebrate the ‘big ticket’ events (and there are so, so many of them!) but it is also important to recognise the countless moments of meaningful, impactful and joyful learning that happen on a daily basis away from the spotlight. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to observe students performing their own poetry in M4 English, exploring real-life problem solving in P2/3 Maths, unpacking coastal erosion in M2 I & S, showcasing synth-pop compositions in D1 music, creating design posters according to client specifications in M1 Design and so on and so on.

Creating a collaborative culture where teachers feel comfortable inviting each other into ‘their’ classrooms, can only have a positive impact on learning for all. As we move into a richly deserved break, it is important to remember these learning moments that happen each and every day from EC to D2 and be grateful that we are all part of a school community that recognises itself as a constant work in progress, ever changing, adapting and evolving.

Ben Morley – Deputy Head of Campus

I cannot believe I am writing the last entry for 2024! One whole semester passed in what appears to be a jiffy as I write this, but definitely felt much longer than that in the moment, with its countless lessons, milestones, memorable experiences and ongoing MYP stories! It is finally time to take a well-deserved break, refresh, recharge and come back for more! This week’s entry showcases so much, and that makes my heart so full! I wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with beautiful moments that turn into forever memories. Stay safe and remember to smile! See you all next year!

M5 Language and Literature English
As part of the “Poetry for Cause” Unit. The M5s were engaged in “Human Library” activity. The objective of the unit was to build empathy and use language to describe resilience and hope. They went around and interviewed different members of the community about the turning points in their lives and how it changed them. The poems were written with carefully chosen words that displayed insight and a connection to the experiences of the interviewee. Thank you Ms. Vagisha for introducing us to the Human Library!
*What is Human Library: It is a concept that aims to address people’s prejudices by helping them to talk to those they would not normally meet.

M5 Swahili- Bongopoly!

The M5 Kiswahili class has been engaging in Bongopoly, a culturally immersive game designed to connect students with Tanzanian culture while focusing on the Swahili business language. Modeled after traditional Monopoly, Bongopoly is set in the city of Dar es Salaam, with transactions conducted in Tanzanian shillings. Through this activity, students not only deepen their understanding of strategic thinking and money management but also develop teamwork and negotiation skills. Reflecting on the experience, Derrick shared, “Kucheza Bongopoly kumetujenga sana kifikra na kuongeza raha pamoja na uchangamfu katika kujifunza Kiswahili.”

A special thank-you goes to Ms. Linda for organizing such an engaging and educational session. We eagerly anticipate playing more Bongopoly and embracing its motto, “Pambana na Hali Yako.” -Eunice

M1 PHE
As a culminating activity (which was their summative assessment as well) for the PHE unit about basketball, M1 students demonstrated their understanding of basketball by creating a teaching plan and delivering a lesson to a small group of P4/5 students. They outlined key factual, procedural and conceptual knowledge about basketball while effectively communicating using appropriate terminology. I must say, Mr. Ben, Mr. Ally and Mr. Pickell have some serious competition! Well done M1 and thank you Mr. Ben for such a fun assessment!

M1 Theatre
There is never a dull moment with Ms. Rachel and the M1s! This week they presented the research they had been working on earlier about rituals from history that involve performances and dance. The presentations were very interesting and enlightening! The students presented their findings, shared brief summaries and most importantly, showcased the dances! Fun, fun and more fun!

M4 Physics
In a recent engaging physics activity, students worked collaboratively to explore the real-world applications of forces and motion. Through hands-on demonstrations and creative poster presentations, they analyzed scenarios such as car safety features, athletic performance, and space exploration. The activity encouraged critical thinking as students discussed the social, environmental, and economic impacts of these scientific concepts. This initiative highlighted the practical relevance of physics in solving real-world challenges while fostering teamwork and presentation skills. Thank you M4, Ms. Hilda and Mr. Ramy!

M2 Science 
In M2 science, we have been learning about the scientific method and how to write lab reports. This week we have done exciting experiments as a part of our summative. Several different groups performed a variety of experiments which included: how drops of catalase affect the height of the Oxygen bubbles produced, how time taken for a small car to go down a ramp varies with the height of the ramp and how running different distances affects heart rate. As part of this summative we were required to plan our experiment in small groups, develop a hypothesis and then collect data. The next step will be to analyse our data and then edit our report.

Libbi

M3 Visual Arts

M3 students recently explored the art of watercolor portraiture, experimenting with techniques such as wet-on-wet, gradients, and dry brush. Throughout the process, they documented their creative journey in detailed journals, reflecting on their successes, challenges, and artistic growth. By showcasing their work, including pieces that didn’t turn out as planned, they demonstrated resilience and the importance of learning through experimentation. This activity allowed students to refine their technical skills while expressing their artistic intentions, culminating in a thoughtful presentation of their creative development. Thank you Mr. Ramy and well done M3! Now, just for fun can you spot the portrait of Mr. Ben?

MYP Dates To Remember:

• December 12th – Semester 1 Reports Released
• December 13th – End of Q1 Classes end at 12:30 pm
• January 14th – Classes Resume at 7:30 am

Farah Fawaz – MYP Coordinator

Dear UWCEA Community,

As we reach the end of this semester, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible energy, creativity, and community spirit that have defined the past few months. This has been a truly productive and memorable time for our school, filled with growth, achievement, and sometimes tears, but most importantly shared moments of joy.

With the holidays just around the corner, I hope you take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences and milestones of the semester, and look forward to the new year with a sense of renewal and purpose.

This past week has been a flurry of activities celebrating our community and achievements. From the final assembly to the Farmer’s Market, Evening of the Arts, Student Government Campaign Fair, Diwali celebrations, and the Kiota Secret Santa Dinner, it has been a rich tapestry of events that showcase the vibrancy and diversity of our school.

As we wind down, we still have a couple of meaningful events ahead. This Sunday, join us for the Student Government Presidential Debate from 7:30 to 8:30 pm in Rafiki Hall. Day students are welcome to stay on campus for the event. This is a great opportunity to hear from our candidates and learn more about their vision for leadership. If you’re still undecided, you can review the candidates for president and committee positions [here].

Finally, to bring the semester to a close, our residential students will gather for the annual Holiday Dinner on Tuesday in the Dining Hall. It’s always a special evening filled with festive cheer and camaraderie—so come dressed in your holiday best and join the celebration!

Thank you for being part of such a remarkable semester. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you all in January, refreshed and ready for a new chapter.

Adnan Mackovic – Head of Residential Life

This week, the D2s completed their Self Taught Orals. The Self-Taught Literature course in the IB offers students a unique opportunity to study and celebrate their native language and cultural heritage. The course is largely self-driven, and students are even able to design their own curriculum based on the IB guidelines. The orals went well and we are proud of them all.

The D2s also continued with their deep-dive into the TOK questions. Here are some of the questions they are exploring:

• Do historians and human scientists have an ethical obligation to follow the directive: “Do not ignore contradictory evidence”?
• Does acquiring knowledge destroy our sense of wonder?
• How can we reconcile the relentless drive to pursue knowledge with the finite resources we have available?

All D2 students should use the holiday to rest and relax but some may need to use the time to prepare for mocks, finish up IAs or their Extended Essay.

Mock exams start on 3 February.

The D1s are finishing up Units in each of their classes and have started thinking ahead to the next semester. Many of the students still need to update the initial part of their CAS portfolio before they return in January, and some may have reading to do while they enjoy a blazing fire (in Europe) or a sunny day (in Africa.) We wish them well as they rest, travel or reconnect with family.

D1 Reports will be published on 12 December and can be accessed through Life.

Catherine Dowie – Diploma Coordinator

On Wednesday, the D1 Global Politics class hosted 24 guests onto campus. The guests included members of the wider Moshi community from a range of fields: entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, artists, engineers, etc. This time, though, it was the students who presented to the guests, not the other way around. The D1 students had spent the last three months working on their independent research projects, searching for answers to a wide variety of questions about life in Tanzania — Muslim/Christian relations, the regulation of pesticides, Swahili education in public schools, etc. Each guest sat down with a student and listened to the student’s research journey and then provided helpful feedback on how to deepen their understanding even further.

This semester, the UWCEA Moshi DP Service Group, in collaboration with the girls from More Than a Drop, had an enriching and impactful experience. The group demonstrated exceptional engagement, utilizing innovative learning approaches and fostering a meaningful connection between the two organizations.

Even on the most exhausting Wednesday afternoons, each service session left us smiling, knowing we had strengthened our bond with the community. This week, UWCEA Moshi had the privilege of hosting the girls on campus. The visit included a campus tour, refreshments, engaging discussions in the Rafiki Hall, and a group picture.

Reflecting on the semester, I am truly proud of this service group’s vibrant, collaborative, and inclusive dynamic, driven by a shared commitment to learning from one another. -Sarah

We had a great turnout for Evening of the Arts on Thursday, 5 December. Our biggest thanks goes to all of the student artists showcasing visual and performing art. From PYP to DP, the arts play a key role in many of our students’ lives, both in and out of the classroom.

As you know, events like this take a lot of time, effort and support from families, teachers and peers alike so our thanks to you as well, our esteemed audience members, for your continued support of these young artists at UWCEA.

Fine Arts Team

Leopards on the Move!

Students have rebounded back from the long sports weekend event almost 3 weeks ago and are back on the field practicing.  Tuesday this week was very enjoyable to be around campus after school.

1st – Swimming U13 had a practice swim meet with Hope International School.  This was a simple event that was exciting and motivated students to continue to swim hard during practices. 

2nd – Netball played some games between each other with some added attire.  I saw reindeer head gear and Santa hats on while they played.  Congratulations girls on a very productive 1st semester.

3rd -The U16 and U19 boys football combined to play a 11 v 11 game.  It proved to be a lot different than the 7 on 7 that the boys are used to, but it was exciting and let’s try and get more games like this.

Frisbee, volleyball and even basketball are still out on the courts also. It’s good to be a part of this active campus.

Coach Pickell

On Friday, the PYP children walked over to the Daycare Centre and watched the Daycare children present the Primary Gathering. 9 of the children were getting ready for their graduation later that day so there was a festive atmosphere. We enjoyed watching the singing and the dancing. In the afternoon Bob Cofer, Ben Morley and myself were guests at the graduation ceremony which had a lovely, celebratory feeling. Congratulations to Ms. Grace, Mr. Elias, Ms. Levine and to the graduating class, many of whom are children of UWCEA staff members.

Next week will be a short week for the primary children. Monday is a public holiday so there will be no classes. Please keep an eye out for your child’s end of semester report which will be shared on Learn on Monday. On Wednesday we will have primary parent teacher conferences where we will discuss your child’s progress over the semester. There are no classes on that day and the children do not attend the conferences. Please make sure you have booked your appointment slot on Meet The Teacher. Friday, 13th December, will be the final primary gathering of the semester. The P3 – 6 children will present some of the learning they have been doing in French lessons. The gathering will take place in Karibu Hall at 7:40am (Rafiki is being used for exams). You are very welcome to attend. We will finish at the normal time of 12:30pm on Friday.

After school clubs will not start straight away in Semester 2 as we need to set up the new schedule. If you are interested in offering an after school club 2-3pm one afternoon a week, please can you email me on deborahmills@uwcea.org.

The PYP team wishes you and your children a relaxing and enjoyable break and looks forward to seeing the children back at school on Tuesday, 14th January.

Deborah Mills – PYP Coordinator

The pictures shared are of the children’s table after it was set up for the Evening of the Arts. They had a chance to view the rest of the art from PYP to DP. There were very inspiring pieces there.

This week, we celebrated Zavier’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Zavier!

We have a short week ahead but packed with activities. We look forward to meeting with you on Wednesday for Parent Teacher Conferences. There will be no regular classes on this day.

On Friday, we will have time to celebrate the last day of the semester. We will make some holiday crafts and have a party. Please send in some treats that the children can share if you can. We will also watch holiday cartoons and dance to some holiday music.

I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing holiday.

Mboka Mwasongwe

It was lovely to see so many families at the Evening of the Arts. Our class returned to K-Hall on Friday morning to really enjoy the museum experience. It was so nice to listen to the children as they slowly walked around and considered the artwork. We talked before and after about the concept of ‘inspiration’ and students had a lot to say about what inspires them. They were also proud to see their own work on display!

We had a wonderful week with our Imagination unit. You may have heard that we did a deep dive into Pirates! We made hats and swords. We walked the plank and drew maps. It was fun to take some time to pretend together.

Next week will be fun and busy. We will have a small class party on Friday. Please send in a plate of food to share if you’re able. Mama Nicholas will be helping us to make holiday cookies on Thursday and we will decorate them together on Friday as part of the fun! There is so much to celebrate as we wrap up a terrific semester.

Kacey Buckley

On Monday, we enjoyed the end of semester assembly. Jiyu reprised her Language Idol K-Pop dance and gave a great performance. The children worked hard this week and finished many projects – they should be proud of what they accomplished. They decorated their volcanoes and finished their weaving. We were very proud of our display at the Evening of the Arts. The children wrote Kenning style poems and produced some writing with examples of onomatopoeia. The slideshows on natural disasters are complete and will be shared next semester.

We have some nice things to look forward to next week. Monday is a public holiday. On Thursday we will have Bingo organised by the secondary school Activities Committee and back in the classroom we will decorate cakes. On Friday we will have a small class party to celebrate the end of the semester. Please can you send in a small plate of food to share?

Deborah Mills

Wow! It’s hard to believe December is here already – the school year is flying by.

This week, P6 has been hard at work. In Language, they explored the art of blackout poetry, selecting words from a piece of text to create poems while ‘blacking out’ the rest. These, along with their bubblegum self-portraits, were proudly shared during Thursday’s Evening of the Arts. In Maths, P6 explored the attributes of different triangles and calculated their angles.

Next week, P6 will create electrical circuits using bulbs, buzzers, and switches, then apply this knowledge to design and begin building their own self-powered vehicles.

Parent Conferences will take place on Wednesday, and on Friday, we will celebrate the end of a successful semester with a class party.

Next quarter promises to be an exciting one as P6 prepares for and presents their PYP Exhibition, a culmination of their PYP learning journey.

I wish you all a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. Thank you for your support this year, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Natasha Berri

UWCEA offers students in M1- M3 four service experiences throughout the year, each service teams rotate through every service once a quarter.

Daycare Service
For a service project, The Daycare principal needed a box to store electronic tablets for safety. Our design team of 7 people worked on sanding and painting as well as measuring, cutting and covering the inside of the box in foam padding to ensure that it is suitable to carry fragile objects. Despite challenges along the way, we successfully produced a medium sized box lined with foam padding that was decorated colorfully to make it attractive to kids. This week Wednesday the 4th of December, we delivered the product to the customer and it was met with a warm reception, large smiles and a lot of gratitude. We had lots of fun doing this project and hope it serves our customer well. – Mwai and Josephine M3

Another need at the daycare centre was two large storage cupboards that needed repair, The cupboards needed a backboard. The student teams measured, cut the sheet timber to size and fitted the cupboards for the daycare with glue and nails.

Environmental
Environmental service is an excellent foundation program which teaches students the value of the “circular economy” and sustainable practices. Students learn about our school waste management systems and the importance of separating waste. Students primary focus is adding and “flipping” school organic compost piles made from organic waste such as Banana peels.

Knitting
This is a new service this year. It has grown out of our diploma service program with KCMC hospital. Our school discovered the need for knitted blankets for infants born in the hospital. We are so proud to say, our MYP blanket knitting program is a huge success, our MYP students are learning the art of knitting and teeny tiny newborns are warmed and comforted during their first months of life.

Appreciation
This is also a new service- In this service we have a team of enthusiastic students who engage the community with, tea, biscuits, cakes, thank you cards, bracelets and so much more, to simplify say “I see you”, “ I appreciate you” and “thank you” for all you work you do for our school. Members of our community who have been appreciated this semester are the cleaners, garden staff, maintenance staff, assistance teachers and teaching staff.

This past weekend saw two more successful OP trips with Mindfulness Discovery and Rides Exploration being the final trips of the calendar year. Please read the wonderful reviews of each trip from Marta (D1) and Thomas (D1) below. 

As we move into the last week of Semester 1, the OP Team has taken the time to review and reflect on a very busy semester. Some quick facts:

• Total distance travelled: 3,526km
• Total Students: 476
• Campcraft: 2
• Peaks: 4
• Plains: 1
• Rides: 2
• Reefs: 2

The OP’s mission is to inclusively offer outdoor education and experiential learning as an integral part of UWC East Africa’s educational model. Having nearly 500 students on trips between the two campuses explore and get outdoors is a fantastic achievement. As a team we are continually aiming to improve student experience and each student has an opportunity to feedback on their experiences after each trip.
Whilst taking the time to reflect is important, we are always looking forward, and planning the next set of trips. Quarter 3 trips were released last week for sign up and as always, we are amazed at the number of students who are keen to get involved in outdoor pursuits.

With this in mind, Quarter 4 trips are now also available for sign up on LIFE. As the Christmas period approaches, we thought it was important that students were able to view trips well in advance with the expectation that students will be able to make informed decisions about which trips to focus on, especially for those with a desire to be eligible for the various Challenge trips. We are also aware that for many students, this will be an ideal time to sit down with their parents and guardians to discuss their options.

As students begin to sign up, the OP team would like to remind all students and parents that the Outdoor Pursuits program is designed to provide students with enriching and challenging experiences that foster personal growth, teamwork, and resilience. While the program aspires to create opportunities for students to achieve significant milestones—such as summiting Peaks or scuba diving in the Indian Ocean—we acknowledge the inherent limitations that may prevent all students from fully realising these aspirations.

Factors such as weather conditions, logistical constraints, and the availability of staff are often beyond our control and may occasionally impact the scope of activities offered. Additionally, the program operates within the confines of an academic environment, which requires balancing outdoor pursuits with academic commitments and other institutional responsibilities.

We remain committed to maximising opportunities for all participants and ensuring that every activity reflects the program’s core values of safety, inclusivity, and exploration. While not every goal may be attainable for every student, the program is structured to offer meaningful and memorable experiences that challenge personal limits and inspire lifelong learning.

As a team, we thank you for continual understanding and support as we strive to deliver the best possible outdoor education within these parameters. We are working towards becoming a world reference in terms of outdoor education, bridging the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and inquiry through experiential learning.

Finally, the whole OP team would like to wish you a fantastic break and look forward to seeing everyone back in January.

Please enjoy reading the trip reviews below.

The OP Team

A bumpy ride onboard the Lorry took us about an hour from campus to a cozy, sun filled landscape where we got to spend the weekend for Mindfulness OP. The main activities we did were focused around how to be mindful and present in the moment. In addition to learning skills and techniques to reduce stress (tools that can be rather helpful in facing the IB). We spent our time switching between yoga, mindfulness practices like breathing activities, going for a walk, drawing, making bracelets and reading.

The weekend was loaded with activities and things to do, but all were at their own time, promoting relaxation between and being fully in one activity at a time. Finally, one of the main points of the weekend was to give us an opportunity to make time and room for ourselves, taking a break from what often weighs heavily on our shoulders. I believe a great number of the participants, myself included, enjoyed the opportunity of disconnecting from our phones and academic life to connect with ourselves for a moment. I am very grateful for going and recommend everyone that has the opportunity to join the next trip!

Marta M (D1)

Before the trip, we had 2 training sessions that included similar situations we would face regarding elevation changes, as well as points when we would have to cross a tarmac road. On Monday the 25th of November, we met at the OP store for our equipment collection, Thursday of that same week, we met at the OP store again, for bag check and packing the bus for our trip the following day. Everything was packed and ready for the journey ahead, all that was left was packed lunches, and packing our day bags which included any other necessities, like our phones, snacks and lunches. We were advised to be at the parking lot behind the dining hall at 5:30 am.

Day 1

On Friday morning I woke up at 5:00 am to get ready, I had already packed most of my stuff in my day bag, leaving only snacks that needed to be cool and also my water bottles, I left the dorm with my friends to meet up with the rest of the students attending the trip, we waited a few extra minutes for others that were running a little late to arrive to leave campus. When we left campus the majority of, if not all of us slept on the way there due to the lack of sleep from the early start. We met Arusha Campus students at the starting point of the trip, and we quickly had a brief introduction of the journey, as well as introducing all the members of staff. We were given the chance to have a quick toilet break before we began. We set off, on the 25km cycle – today was mainly uphill. It didn’t take long before we encountered our first puncture that one of the students had gotten, luckily, I came with my repair kit, to help alongside the fundi that came with us. We quickly patched his tyre so that we could catch up to the others. They had not gone far after realising our situation. We then had a break to recuperate and prepare ourselves for the next part of our trip, as we were slowly gaining elevation our pace slowed, and the group was spread out again, we had small breaks in our groups where we would drink some water or grab a small snack. After cycling some more, we reached a place where we could enjoy our lunch. After lunch we continued with an even more intense uphill, this was no doubt the steepest part of the entire trip, others were forced off their bike to push it up on foot, while others managed to stay on, by putting their bikes into a lower gear, and inching their way up. At this point, we had already covered over half of the day’s trip, and the remaining section was a similar gentle uphill like the first part, at this point we were all closely spaced, compared to the two previous instances. We had our last break only 4 kilometres away from our campsite. When we reached camp, we set up our tents and had a brief discussion on groups and chore rotations, we then went on a small walk towards Momella Lake which borders Arusha National Park. The camp gave us some amazing views over Big Momella Lake with Mount Meru as our backdrop. We then prepared and had dinner, after dinner we spent around 2 hours just relaxing, then we went to bed.

Day 2

On day 2 we woke up at 6:00 am and a little earlier for those who were on cooking duty, we then had breakfast at 7:00 and set off at 8:00. The first part of Day 2 was really enjoyable, as it was a combination of downhills and uphill’s, but it was short-lived for me, on one of the uphill’s after our first recuperation, trying to gather everyone so they knew the right way to go, I encounter a major failure on my bike, as I was attempting the uphill, I was pulling on my handlebars to get some more force on the pedal to keep my momentum, but sadly all of a sudden, my handlebars split in 2, right at the stem/centre of the bar. Completely disheartened that my bike had just broken, I shrugged on, luckily, we had a spare bike on the bus behind, so we swiftly swapped the bikes, and I continued on our way. Day 2 was less demanding as it consisted of both uphills and downhills, then we had our first accident, one of the students fell off his bike and badly injured himself, leaving him with a few bruises on his leg and arms. About half an hour later, I sadly encountered the same fate, on a downhill with loose gravel, one of the other students had passed me, unluckily he started to lose control of his bike as he locked up his rear tyre and started to skid. He fell in front of me letting go of his bike, I am not sure how, but his bike then slid forward and his front tyre was right in front of me, without time to react and any space between us, I also ended up falling off. As I slid on my arms, elbows and stomach, I quickly recuperated and went to go check on him, soon after the remaining staff showed up, and immediately got to work treating our wounds, thanks to Mr Andy, Ms Mika, Mr Frank, Justin as well as the others for looking out for us so well. I felt a little lightheaded, so it was advised to spend the remaining part of the trip on the bus, to our last stop. With only 3 kilometres to go the student that had fallen earlier decided to get back on his bike and finish the rest of Day 2. With the rest being a nice level path, we eventually arrived at our second campsite, which was a nice inn. Similar to the first day we had a brief discussion of the rest of the day’s plan, there was an organised small venture with our bikes around the area, I chose to join to be able to ride the next day, luckily, they had sodas and a pool that we were allowed to use for a few hours then after dinner we went to bed.

Day 3

On Day 3 we had a similar schedule wake up at 6:00, breakfast at 7:00 and leave camp at 8:00. My bike was luckily repaired as we borrowed one of the school bike’s handlebars, as it had far worse problems. Day 3’s journey started with some on-road action, but it was only for a little while we quickly covered 3-4 kilometres within minutes, and then we headed into a village, we then went down some of the best downhills that I have ever experienced, I think I speak for all when I say that that was the most enjoyable part of the trip, after this exhilarating and adrenaline pumping experience, we had our first break, surprisingly we had already covered 10 kilometres. After our small break, we then continued with some more downhills that weren’t as steep, but still fun. This gradually turned into a more gradual flat downhill, where we then stopped again 10 kilometres later for our second break, this was the best pace we had all weekend, completing long distances in short period of time. Here we waited for everyone to catch up so that they could get a break and have some snack, we continued again on the gradual flat downhill at a great pace, again after some riding we had our final break of the trip, which would be the home stretch to the end, with only 4-5 kilometres left to go, the end of our trip was closely arriving, when we reached close to the turn-off to go to KIA, we then had a soda to celebrate, as we loaded up the buses. We then had our closing discussion, pointing out all the staff members that made the trip possible, after our goodbyes we hopped onto the buses and headed back to our respective campuses.

Thomas R (D1)

Dear Moshi community!

The semester is coming to an end and we are soon to ring in the new year. With a rather long holiday awaiting we hope that you will find time to recharge, reset and reflect over the year that has passed (2024).

The holiday season is often associated with joy, songs we can’t get out of our heads, and quality time with family and loved ones. However, between the travels, tasks, celebrations, and family obligations, the holiday season can be a trying time for anyone.

Taking some time to reflect is essential for growth and can-do wonders for your sense of wellbeing. How can you go about this? Reflect on the following:

• What has gone well for you this year?
• Which are some personal, social and academic achievements that you deserve to celebrate?
• What challenges have you overcome?
• What are you grateful for this semester?

We would like to take this opportunity to share a few tips for the holiday and activities to help you to look after your wellbeing.

• Do some physical exercises and have fun while you are at it
• Make sure you are having nutritious meals.
• Sleep, sleep, sleep
• Turn off your devices and connect physically with your friends and loved ones
• Spend time in nature, go for a walk, swim, get some sunshine
• Incorporate self-care routines
• Schedule down time to allow you to reflect. You can journal, write down what you are grateful for to nurture an attitude of gratitude.

A new year starting can also be a catalyst for new ways of doing, thinking and approaching life. What are some habits you wish to implement as part of your everyday life?

Best wishes & have a wonderful break

Ms Frida & Ms Keziah, The Wellbeing Team

Our sharation teams are outlined below and excited to present their projects and experiences so far:

DP Environmental Service Group
This service is dedicated to regenerative practices and circular models for reducing our impact and regenerating the ecological systems we operate in. This comes in many forms and through demonstrations and evidence of their progress they would love to show you what they have been working towards! These eco champions are ready to welcome you.

M4-5 Environmental Service group
Much like the Diploma Environmental Service Group, these MYP students are dedicated to soils and healthy foods. They have explored food systems from the social, environmental and economic lens.

Swap Shop! M1-3 Environmental Service group
M1-3 Environmental service group has been exciting to follow this year. They are tracking wildlife on campus, involved in our recycling and compost program, growing food and will be hosting a clothing swap shop during the sharation. Bring your second hand clothes and see what sustainable items can spruce up your wardrobe!

Tree Planting Service    
This project is starting to grow roots. They have been tracking species around our campus and working on their species identification and tree planting techniques. They welcomed experts and with their extensive team are hopeful at launching their first tree planting campaigns. They too are a part of our recycling and compost program with so much outreach ready to go, they are eager to welcome you as well!
                           
Sustainability Committee
If you are a keen reader of the newsletter then these dedicated ecological heros need little introduction. Our group of D1 and D2 students have been hard at work aiming to track our schools ecological footprint and are at the center of our community compost and recycling program. They are now mentoring PYP ecological heros and carrying out waste audits to identify how we can further reduce our footprint. With the February Tanzanian Youth Climate Summit ahead they certainly will be happy to share their work with you at the project sharation!

Community Clean-Up Service 
At the center of our recycling program, these D1 and D2 students are enthusiastic, active and committed to a cleaner and healthier neighbourhood. Every week they track and clean up waste around Shanty Town and on campus. Their attitude is fantastic and we could use more of them in our community! Maybe you can join their next community clean up.
                         
Sustainable Fashion and Jewelry (with a fashion show!)
With a passion for sustainable fashion, Sarah (D2) has proposed a mindfully focused fashion service/club. With ideas already to fabric it is exciting to announce our first sharation fashion show all with off cuts and upcycled fabrics. The aim of the service is to go beyond design and shift the way we consume clothes, empowering local seamstresses and perhaps shifting where our fabrics are sourced in school and beyond.

Conservation Service (Cape Town 2 Kili)
The Cape Town to Kili project launched training for your upper MYP students. These committed keen conservation minded students have learned a lot about conservation. With a day in the field under their belt and full scale training modules ready to go we are all eager to see what they have learned. Come along and support their progress, with this knowledge there are so many directions they can take their service.

Reefs
Launched with a design project, this award winner of a service has been around for generations of diploma students. Their work on the Tanga coast will be on display as they look to pivot the project forward. Come along for some fishy business and learn about coral regeneration. They are looking to freshen their network in order to align their work to high international research and restoration standards.

Smokeless Kitchen
Health and the environment go hand in hand and this moving project is changing livelihood one chimney at a time. The smokeless kitchen is on a mission to provide a breath of fresh air to homes that use indoor combustion for food preparation. This life changing service has many stories to share and look forward to reaching out regarding their project.

Women’s Health Empowerment [WHE]
Women’s Health Empowerment is a service group which identifies health related issues, and proposes, develops and implements low cost sustainable solutions. Currently in process is the planned production and distribution of sustainable feminine hygiene products, this new project has momentum they would like to build upon.