What are the three core parts of the diploma?

What are the three core parts of the diploma?

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

CAS opens up exciting new opportunities for you to channel your energies and talents. It is a fundamental part of the IB programme that takes seriously the importance of life outside the classroom. You will be rewarded for your involvement in a wide range of activities which will help develop many aspects of your character.

CAS Requirements

You will participate in CAS activities throughout the two years of the IB Programme. A minimum of 150 hours during the two years is required with time spread among the three areas: creativity, action, and service.  The choice of activities is very much down to you. 

What can I do?

Throughout the two years you will be supported and guided by the CAS co-ordinator and the sixth form pastoral team. The CAS co-ordinator will help you organise activities, offer suggestions for activities, help you liaise with individuals and groups both inside and outside of school, and generally act as a mentor throughout the programme.

However, it is crucial to recognise that you set your own programme. You participate and organise activities that suit your character. The scope for your own CAS programme is amazing and we will support you in anything you want to do, providing it falls within the CAS guidelines.

This offers you a fantastic opportunity to expand your horizons, try something you would never have normally done, as well as furthering the talents and skills you already possess. The possibilities are endless.

Creativity

You can interpret this aspect of CAS as imaginatively as you wish. For example, this might involve participation in dance, or an activity connected to music. It could involve planning and organising a particular event such as a fashion show or a football tournament. Perhaps you would be interested in establishing a new club such as a chess club. You might wish to take a role in a play or help to paint the scenery for a drama production. Perhaps you could help a department or a local school develop a website or even assist in re-designing the look of the College newsletter. You can really use your imagination here.  What do you want to do?

Action

This involves carrying out activities that require physical exertion or it could mean planning and organising an event. You might want to try a new sport or develop an aspect of a sport you already enjoy.  Perhaps you could pass your talents on to some younger students by running some netball sessions, for example. Maybe you dance or attend aerobics classes and if not, this could be a new opportunity for you. Action might involve going on an expedition or even participating in a sponsored walk. You could also plan an event such as a sport’s festival or you and some friends might help decorate a room in a nursing home. There are many exciting opportunities for you here, and remember, these are just examples. What do you want to do?

Service

This is perhaps the most important part of CAS. It involves any activity that helps you develop as a person and crucially where somebody else benefits from something you do.  This might involve helping younger students with their reading or perhaps spending a few days in a primary school teaching children how to play cricket. It could involve doing something active to raise money for charity or maybe taking part in a beach cleaning afternoon.  Perhaps you could help organise a Christmas Party for a group in the local community or maybe run a lunchtime club for the Year 7 students. Anything is possible. What do you want to do?

CAS is a fantastic way of helping you develop as a person.