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Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is at the core of the IB Diploma Programme. It is one of the 3 essential elements in every student’s diploma experience and is a mandatory part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) core. It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the IB Diploma Programme to grow as unique individuals through experiential learning, and to understand they are members of local and global communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment.
CAS is organised around 3 strands of creativity, activity and service defined as follows:
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Creativity – exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance.
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Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy life-style.
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Service – collaboratively and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need.
Key to a student’s CAS Program is personal engagement, choice and enjoyment of CAS experiences. Throughout the programme students undertake a variety of CAS experiences, ideally on a weekly basis, for a minimum of 18 months. They must also undertake at least one CAS project with a minimum duration of one month. Students reflect on CAS experiences at significant moments throughout CAS and maintain a CAS portfolio.
Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for the award of the IB Diploma. CAS students are expected to:
- approach CAS with a proactive attitude
- develop a clear understanding of CAS expectations and the purpose of CAS
- explore personal values, attitudes and attributes with reference to the IB Learner Profile and the IB mission statement
- discuss plans for CAS experiences with the CAS coordinator and/or CAS adviser
- understand and apply the CAS stages where appropriate
- take part in a variety of experiences, some of which are self-initiated, and at least one CAS project
- become more aware of personal interests, skills and talents and observe how these evolve throughout the CAS program
- maintain a CAS portfolio and keep records of CAS experiences including evidence of achievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes
- understand the reflection process and identify suitable opportunities to reflect on CAS experiences
- demonstrate accomplishments within their CAS program
- communicate with the CAS coordinator/adviser and/or CAS supervisor in formal and informal meetings
- ensure a suitable balance between creativity, activity and service in their CAS program
- behave appropriately and ethically in their choices and behaviours.
Using evidence from their CAS portfolio, students will demonstrate achievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes. The portfolio is a collection of evidence that showcases their experiences and demonstrates achievement of the CAS learning outcomes:
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Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
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Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
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Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
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Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
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Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively.
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Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
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Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
The emphasis is on learning by doing real tasks that have real consequences, providing evidence of participation, and then reflecting on these experiences over the time of the activity. CAS requires students to engage in deliberate, authentic reflection.
Being reflective is one attribute of the IB Learner Profile.
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our leaning and personal development.
CAS is now becoming very important in university scholarship applications as it shows the 'whole person'.
The CAS portfolio also includes the Certificate III in Active Volunteering giving students a recognised qualification and opening pathways for Gap Year Volunteering projects.