CAS and DofE Programme
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 support the development of young people through experiential learning. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1956, the Award now operates in over 144 countries and territories, and is the world’s leading youth achievement award.
It is open to all 14–24-year-olds, regardless of background, culture, physical ability, or interests. The Award is about personal challenge and development encouraging participants to set goals, build resilience, develop new skills, and push beyond their comfort zones.
The Award Framework
The Award operates at three progressive levels:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Each level requires participants to commit to regular activities over a set period of time. All activities must be completed before the participant’s 25th birthday. To achieve an Award, participants must demonstrate consistent effort and dedication, typically involving at least one hour of activity per week in each section.
With the support of adult Leaders and Assessors, participants select and set goals in the following sections:
- Voluntary Service: Contributing to the community through unpaid service.
- Physical Recreation: Improving fitness and performance through sport, dance, or physical activity.
- Skills: Developing practical or social skills and personal interests.
- Adventurous Journey: Planning, training for, and completing an expedition (typically over 2 to 4 days depending on the level).
- Residential Project (Gold only): Staying and working away from home for five days on a shared activity with people not previously known to the participant.
Each level takes a minimum duration:
- Bronze: 3 to 6 months
- Silver: 6 to 9 months
- Gold: 12 to 18 months
The Award at WISS
Westcoast International Secondary School (WISS) has been a proud facilitator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award since June 2018.
- In 2018, WISS launched the Bronze Award level.
- In 2019, the Silver Award was introduced.
- In 2023, WISS proudly launched its first cohort of Gold Award participants, with one Gold Awardee successfully completing the programme that same year.
- In 2025, WISS organised its first international Gold Adventurous Journey, marking a historic milestone in the school’s DofE journey.
As an officially recognized Award Centre, WISS provides structure, supervision, and mentorship to support students at every level of the Award.
The Award is closely aligned with the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), providing students with meaningful and transferable life experiences.
At WISS:
- Many students complete their Skill and Physical Recreation sections through our vibrant extracurricular programme.
- Students are also encouraged to pursue personal passions and community service activities independently.
In Mauritius, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is governed by the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, with whom WISS liaises directly to ensure compliance, coordination, and the best support for all Award participants.
Through this programme, WISS continues to empower students to become confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals, ready to thrive in a global society.
