Connecting to
Learning in the DP: Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
As part of the Diploma Early Commencement Program our Year 10s are being introduced to the CAS experience. We are very much looking forward to helping our forthcoming DP students achieve their CAS goals.
CAS is at the heart of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It formally begins at the start of the DP and continues regularly for at least 18 months, with a reasonable balance between the three strands of creativity, activity and service. To successfully complete the course, students MUST achieve all seven of the learning outcomes at least once and these must have been demonstrated and evidenced through their CAS portfolio. Some learning outcomes may be achieved many times, while others may be achieved less frequently.
The seven learning outcomes:
(1) Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth;
Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.
(2) Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process;
A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through new experiences or through increased expertise in an established area.
(3) Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience;
Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for individual or collaborative CAS experiences. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience or by launching a new idea or process.
(4) Show commitment to, and perseverance in, CAS experiences;
Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.
(5) Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively;
Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.
(6) Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance;
Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.
(7) Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.
With its holistic approach, CAS is designed to strengthen and extend students’ personal and interpersonal learning from the PYP and MYP. To help students on their CAS journey, we have created a dedicated Preshil website. Please take a moment to explore this site, packed full of information resources and CAS ideas and inspirations.
Bronte Howell & Emily Nancarrow
CAS Coordinators