The CAS requirement demonstrates commitment to the importance of experiential learning beyond the classroom. Participation in creative projects, sports and community service encourages young people to share their energies and special talents within teams and to develop awareness and concern for others, as well as the ability to work cooperatively (especially as part of their CAS project). The goal of educating the whole person and fostering a meaningful sense of citizenship and respect for others comes alive in an immediate way when students reach beyond themselves and their books. Please note that all Post 16 students are expected to take part in Horizons Week, usually in November. Please click here to view the current Horizons Week website. Aims of CAS The aims of the CAS requirement are to enable students to develop:
An understanding that education is more than the acquisition of knowledge;
A willingness to inquire and an enjoyment of discovery;
New knowledge, skills and lifelong ethical responsibilities stemming from a better understanding of those within and beyond their own social context;
An appreciation of their own abilities and the talent of others;
An awareness of humanitarian issues across the world;
Their ability to be rational risk-takers willing to operate outside their ‘comfort zone’;
Confidence in their ability to initiate change, both individually and collaboratively;
Autonomy and self-reliance;
Principles of CAS This philosophy is based on several assumptions:
Education is not confined to the classroom or lecture hall and the most important and memorable elements of education often exist outside of both;
An international education must go well beyond the provision of information to involve the development of attitudes and values which transcend barriers of race, class, religion, gender or politics;
Service to the community (including school, local, national or international communities) is an essential complement to intellectual development;
International schools have a special opportunity to establish links between different cultures and, by doing so, to further international understanding;
Creativity, activity and service should play equal parts. However, service is often the most transformative experience for students;
CAS experiences are often the source of genuine pride and satisfaction for students and create a distinct and lasting impression of their Post 16 experience at WIS.
The CAS Strands Creativity: Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance. Creativity in CAS provides students with the opportunity to explore their own sense of original thinking and expression. Creativity will come from the student’s talents, interests, passions, emotional responses, and imagination; the form of expression is limitless. This may include visual and performing arts, digital design, writing, film, culinary arts, crafts and composition. Students are encouraged to engage in creative endeavours that move them beyond the familiar, broadening their scope from conventional to unconventional thinking.
Activity: Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle: The aim of the “Activity” strand is to promote lifelong healthy habits related to physical well-being. Pursuits may include individual and team sports, aerobic exercise, dance, outdoor recreation, fitness training, and any other form of physical exertion that purposefully contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Students are encouraged to participate at an appropriate level and on a regular basis to provide a genuine challenge and benefit.
Service: Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need: The aim of the “Service” strand is for students to understand their capacity to make a meaningful contribution to their community and society. Through service, students develop and apply personal and social skills in real-life situations involving decision-making, problem-solving, initiative, responsibility, and accountability for their actions. Service is often seen as one of the most transforming elements of CAS by promoting students’ self-awareness, offering diverse occasions for interactions and experiences and opportunities for international-mindedness. Service within CAS benefits all involved: students learn as they identify and address authentic community needs, and the community benefits through reciprocal collaboration. Service fosters development of abilities, attitudes and values in accordance with the IB mission statement and the IB learner profile. As such,CAS service experiences are unpaid.
CAS Portfolio Reflection is the essential process that allows students to learn from their experiences. Reflection is the self-appraisal of goals and achievements and provides the opportunity to document feelings and healthy self-criticism, a vital part of the CAS process. Students will use their CAS Portfolio (Datahub; online reflective tool) to record their aims, goals, participation and reflections.
CAS Learning Outcomes The IB require Diploma students to demonstrate that they have achieved the following outcomes across their two year programme.
Examples of CAS The following are a small number of the options open to students: Creativity
Music (choir, orchestra, music lessons, music practice)
Drama (performing, costume design, make-up, stage management)
Oration (debating, Model United Nations, public speaking)
Visual Art (drawing, photography, sculpting)
Website design and computer graphics
Writing (creative writing, magazine writing and editing)
The planning of service projects and special events