February 2026 -Smiles, Small Hands, Shining Stars and New Skills at Sunrise
School Is Better With Friends!
“I’m happy to be back at school and meeting my friends again because the holiday was long.”
After a long holiday, the classrooms are full again — full of laughter, chatter, and the sound of friends finding each other.
When asked why she was happy to be back at school, one student didn’t hesitate: she missed her friends. At Sunrise, school is more than lessons and books. It’s where friendships grow — at shared desks, under shady trees at lunch time, and during group activities where everyone has a chance to belong.
In our classrooms, students learn side by side, encourage one another, and have the oppurtunity to discover more about themselves. These everyday moments — a shared smile, helping with a math problem, walking to class together — build confidence and connection.
We are grateful to see our students back where they belong: learning, laughing, and growing together.
“Little Hands, Big Healthy Habits
Our newest preschool students are learning an important lesson right from the start - clean hands keep everyone healthy.
At Sunrise, handwashing isn’t just a routine — it’s a song! Teachers make it fun by singing together while students scrub their hands, making sure they wash long enough to chase the germs away. Lots of smiles as children line up at the handwashing stations placed outside the bathrooms and near classroom doors.
These simple daily habits help prevent the spread of illness, keeping both our students and teachers healthy, present, and ready to learn.
Even more importantly, our prescoolers are becoming little health champions. The lessons they practice at school travel home with them — shared with siblings, friends, and neighbours — helping to build lifelong habits that protect the whole community.
“Believe in yourself - you are capable of greatness” ~ Teacher Robinah Top Class
Leading the Way: Top Class Shines!
This month, our Kindergarten (Top Class) has been proudly chosen as Class of the Month — and they have certainly earned it!
Their teachers are especially impressed with how quickly these young learners are growing in confidence speaking English. Every day brings new words, new sentences, and new courage to try.
But it’s not just their learning that stands out. Top Class is exceptionally organized for such young students. Their work is neat, their classroom is tidy, and their uniforms are clean and worn with pride.
They are also excellent timekeepers. When it’s time for attendance, they line up quickly and quietly, ready to begin the day. Their positive habits and respectful behaviour set a strong example for the rest of the school.
We are so proud of Top Class for showing that even the youngest students can lead the way!
Hands on Skill Training - Mixing, Molding and Making Chalk!
Sunrise students have been busy learning a new hands on skill - making chalk! As part of our Youth Skilling Program, students are gaining practical experience while helping support the everyday needs of the school.
Dorcus, the student in red, was especially excited to get involved. She eagerly joined Teacher Robert and her classmates in learning the process of mixing, molding, and drying the chalk. For Dorcus, it was not only fun to try something new, but also meaningful to contribute to the day-to-day life of the school.
The chalk produced by students will be used in all of our classrooms. This helps reduce the cost of classroom supplies while providing a high-quality product made right at Sunrise.
More vocational skills are planned for the second term, including soap making and book making. These activities will create useful items for the school, while helping students develop practical skills they can use in the future.
Dorcus is a new boarding student who joined Sunrise through an emerging partnership with the Plattern Foundation. A small group of students sponsored by Plattern have joined the boarding program as part of a pilot initiative. If the program goes well, we hope to welcome more students through this partnership in 2027.
Message from the Head Teacher
My name is Okurut Zachary Ogwang, and I am the Head Teacher of Buiga Sunrise Day and Boarding School in Uganda.
We are happy to share that the school has started the term well. In the first two weeks alone, 120 pupils have registered, and we are hopeful that even more students will join us in the second term.
I am grateful to work with an enthusiastic and vibrant team of teachers who are committed to the academic success and wellbeing of our students. As a staff, we are focused and motivated to achieve even stronger learning results across all classes this year.
We are also very proud of our Director, Madam Nicole Van Seters, for the unwavering support and encouragement she provides to the school and to our staff. Her dedication continues to strengthen the opportunities available to our students.
Any support given through her on behalf of Buiga Sunrise Day and Boarding School is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being part of the Sunrise community.
Okurut Zachary Ogwang
Head Teacher
Buiga Sunrise Day and Boarding School