Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS)
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is a core compulsory component of the IBDP that promotes the holistic development of students. It aims at developing their personal and interpersonal growth by learning through experience and by providing them opportunities for self-exploration and collaboration with others.
CAS offers an important balance to the academic rigour of the IB Diploma Programme. It motivates students to show initiative and perseverance and to develop cooperation, problem-solving and decision-making skills. CAS is an outcome based programme based on experiences that students get engage in through participation in:
- activities that involve creative thinking
- sports or other types of physical activities with the aim of achieving a healthy lifestyle
- voluntary community service activities that teach students the values of individual rights, dignity, and autonomy of all those involved.
At WISS we strongly believe in a holistic educational system which CAS in the IB programmes embraces. Hence we have extended these elements throughout all the academic programmes at our school to help students become well balanced, caring individuals who contribute to their communities.
In the lower secondary levels students engage regularly in various activities, the ‘Pre-CAS’ programme with the CAS philosophy. Furthermore, students are also encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AWARD
What is the Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE) is a non-competitive, internationally recognized program designed to encourage young people to develop positive skills and lifestyle habits. The award was founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 and has since expanded to 144 nations.
It is available to all 14-24 year olds and is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It equips young people for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests.
Doing the Award is about personal challenge and development and is adaptable according to each participant’s interests and abilities; it pushes young people to their personal limits and recognises their achievements.
The Award Framework
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes take between one and four years to complete, and they must be completed by the participant’s twenty-fifth birthday. The programmes are at three progressive levels which, if successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
- Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
- Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
- Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
- Expedition: planning, training for, and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
- At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home for five days, doing a shared activity.
The Award Framework
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes take between one and four years to complete, and they must be completed by the participant’s twenty-fifth birthday. The programmes are at three progressive levels which, if successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
- Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
- Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
- Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
- Expedition: planning, training for, and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
- At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home for five days, doing a shared activity.
To achieve an award, the participant must work on each section for a minimum period of time, and must be monitored and assessed by someone with knowledge of the chosen activities. Each progressive level demands time and commitment from participants: Bronze 3–6 months; Silver: 6–9 months; Gold: 12–18 months. Participants are required to show regular activity and commitment to the award for the duration of usually at least one hour per week.
The Award at WISS
WISS introduced the award in June 2018 the Award to its students to start the Bronze Award level.
In 2019 the Silver Award will be introduced and we intent to introduce the Gold Award in 2020.
Looking forward, the DofE aligns itself with the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) section of the IBD programme.
The skill and physical recreation requirements for the Bronze Award level can be met through our extra-curricular programme. However, students with interests outside the school are equally encouraged to develop these further.
