What is the CAS Programme and What do CAS experiences look like?

Have your children ever wanted to learn a new language, conquer their fears, or even become proficient in a sport or musical instrument? CAS allows them to do exactly this: through the creativity and service strands of the programme, they can develop existing skills and engage in brand-new experiences! CAS also enables them to give back to the school, their community and society through dedicated service. By engaging in CAS, our children are empowered to thrive as individual with the skills and values needed to make a positive difference.

What is the CAS programme?

In the IB Diploma Programme, most of our students’ time will be spent studying the core courses that they’ve selected from six different subject groups. However, as an IB student, they also get to do “Creativity, Activity and Service” (CAS).

CAS activities are one of the three core elements of the Diploma Programme (DP) - together with the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course and the Extended Essay (EE) – at the heart of the DP students’ two-year journey. In order to receive the diploma at the end of the Diploma Programme, students must meet all CAS requirements.

The CAS program is a part of the IB curriculum framework and although it is only the DP students who engage in CAS, students will develop the skills and values needed to be excellent CAS students throughout their time at Amity across all IB programs. In the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), students are already introduced to the IB learner profile and service as action. The service as action (SaA) is a fundamental part of the MYP since it provides students with an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others and their environment. This introduction continues into the DP where students build on what they've learned in the PYP and MYP and begin their CAS experiences. In the DP, students must engage and commit to experiences across all three strands: creativity, activity and service.

 

What do Creativity, Activity and Service experiences look like?

“Creativity” experiences encompass various activities that involve innovative thinking, imagination and the development of particular skills. For example, our DP students have already started singing in a band and learning to dance. A couple of students are already building a Star Wars display for our Senior School library. In addition, two DP students are in the creative team of our Yearbook project, creating the visuals and designing the pages. In this way, they enhance their creative skills and learn what they can do with their talent.

“Activity” experiences focus on promoting students' physical well-being and a healthy lifestyle. These activities could involve sports participation from tennis to marathon running. Our students have been doing Pilates and embarking on a new gym regime. Some DP1 students are a part of the local Football Club and Hockey Club. So, the activities are physically challenging and enable students to develop new skills.

“Service” experiences, foster an understanding of how you can make a positive impact on your school, community and society as a whole. These activities often entail significant interactions with individuals or groups and may include volunteering at local shops, assisting with a neighbour's garden, or applying to be a festival volunteer, among other options. For instance, our DP1 students have been helping run CCAs for our Senior School students. In addition, they started a recycling project that will impact the whole school for a couple of months. In this way, they are making a positive impact on their society and community.

What is student reflection in CAS programme?

Being reflective is a key aspect of the IB learner profile. In the context of the CAS programme, “reflection” plays a central role in creating a meaningful and fulfilling experience. This critical component of CAS fosters essential skills and perspectives that contribute to personal growth and development. Following their participation in various activities, students engage in identifying learning outcomes linked to their experiences. They start thinking back on choices and actions and gain the ability to explore areas for improvement and acknowledge their achievements. Ultimately, they acquire the ability to analyze situations critically, which makes them engage in higher cognitive processes

If you would like to learn more about our CAS programme, please contact our CAS Coordinator, Mr Jon.