Creativity, Action & Service (CAS)

The Core

Creativity, Action & Service (CAS)

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi

Creativity, action, service is at the heart of the Diploma Programme. It involves you in a range of activities alongside your academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme. The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are summarised below.

Creativity: arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking

Action: physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing you academic work

Service: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

The activities that students choose to take part in will be a combination of individual challenges and those developing the key skills of team work. These activities will give students multiple opportunities to work within the local community on Guernsey as well as projects further a field in both the UK and on an international scale.

A good CAS programme should be both challenging and enjoyable, a personal journey of self-discovery that allows students to develop a number of new life skills that can be used in an extensive variety of situations throughout life. Each individual has a different starting point, and therefore different goals and needs, but for many their CAS activities include experiences that are profound and life-changing.

A key element of CAS is the reflection phase. This assists students in recognising their own strengths and weaknesses, the skills that they have learnt directly as a result of undertaking the tasks, and helps them to consider both the ethical implications and global importance of the work completed.

What you will need to do:

• CAS is not externally assessed but you need to document and reflect on at least 150 hours of activities, which is 3 to 4 hours of activities per week.
• CAS activities should take place regularly throughout the programme.
• At least one project, involving collaboration and the integration of at least two of creativity, action and service, is required.
• You must complete CAS to be awarded the IB diploma.

How will the Sixth Form Centre help you complete your CAS hours?

• Throughout the course you will have a programmed time to meet with your CAS advisor, either individually or as a group with other IB Students.
• The Sixth Form Centre runs many Personal Enrichment Courses and charity events that you can take part in to help you complete your CAS hours.
• We plan to run regular CAS trips and CAS project camps. In 2012-2014 we hope to run an exciting CAS Project trip overseas.
• You can also continue with your own activities!

And Finally....

Your CAS experience should not just be a learning experience, but a lot of fun!