A new school year brings with it a new set of diverse and exciting possibilities for our students in Year 12 and 13 to enhance their skills, build their confidence and make a difference both here on campus and in the wider world as BSB’s 2024-2025 CAS programme begins.
CAS, which stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service, forms an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at BSB, offering students a unique avenue to enrich their educational journey beyond traditional academics. CAS is mandatory for IB students for 18 months, but at BSB, we also welcome A-level and BTEC students when their academic demands allow. This distinctive programme requires students to engage in a variety of activities that span these three key areas throughout their time in the Diploma Programme.
Creativity in CAS encompasses pursuits that involve innovative thinking and expression, such as arts, design, and other creative endeavours. Students are encouraged to explore new forms of expression and develop their artistic abilities in diverse ways. Creativity offerings at BSB include free expression art classes where students can use their CAS sessions to discover their passion or continue a chosen project in our art studios, individually or in groups, and cooking lessons where students learn the basics of healthy eating and food preparation, with the option to volunteer at the café in Cavell House, our Families of BSB (FoBSB) parent association hub, and obtain a food hygiene qualification.
Activity focuses on physical exertion and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which complements the rigorous academic demands of the IB Diploma. This strand encourages students to participate in sports, fitness activities, yoga and wellness, and outdoor adventures, fostering habits that promote physical well-being. Activity options feature a range of sporting opportunities including fitness and sport for fun sessions, and the chance to obtain the STA Level 2 qualification in Swimming Teaching.
Service involves students in voluntary activities that benefit others in their community and beyond. These service projects are designed to be meaningful and impactful, emphasizing the importance of empathy, collaboration, and civic responsibility. Students gain a deeper understanding of social issues and develop a sense of global citizenship through their service efforts. There are two main groups available to students, offering exciting and inspiring opportunities to extend their experiences and provide service beyond the classroom.
Students can sign up to the Model United Nations group where they can hone their research, public speaking and debating skills at BSB before joining thousands of students from around the world in a week-long residential trip to The Hague in The Netherlands. In this international youth event, students are assigned a country to represent and an issue to debate in a real-time simulation of the UN General Assembly. As well as taking part in public speaking and debating session, they learn more about the principles of the UN and how it functions. Many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts – including at the UN itself – participated in Model UN as students.
The other available group in the Service category is the Global Issues Network where students and their teachers decide on topics to cover and campaigns to champion in the realm of charity and outreach work. These have included projects in the past highlighting the plight of marine ecosystems, the issue of sanitary poverty, volunteer work with the homeless through Serve the City Brussels, and Education for All which supports students in deprived areas of the world.
All these activities are designed to boost confidence, inspire ingenuity and provide our students with opportunities to gain experiences which can help them in their future careers and their lives as global citizens beyond BSB. They provide huge opportunities for those wanting to expand their horizons as BSB’s 2024-2025 CAS programme begins.
“These components allow students to explore and develop their talents outside the traditional classroom setting,” said BSB’s CAS coordinator Gwyneth Igoe. “CAS encourages students to develop practical skills, such as language proficiency, alongside personal growth. CAS is a personal journey of self-discovery. It’s about what the student wants to achieve, not just following what their friends are doing.”
The significance of CAS lies in its ability to foster holistic development in students. By engaging in a diverse array of activities under the CAS umbrella, students not only enhance their personal skills and self-awareness but also cultivate a sense of empathy and social responsibility. CAS provides a crucial balance to the academic rigor of the IB Diploma Programme, allowing students to explore their passions, discover new interests, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
“We are fortunate to offer a diverse range of options, and it’s important for students to select activities that genuinely interest them and align with their academic or career aspirations,” added Gwyneth. “One crucial aspect of CAS is reflection. It’s through reflecting on our experiences that we grow. We ask the students to think about their progress: Did today go well? How can I improve? Such self-analysis is at the heart of CAS, helping students to continuously develop throughout the programme.”
“So, as our students embark on this journey, we encourage them to choose experiences that excite them, that can challenge them, and those which can help them become the best version of themselves.”
Although CAS activities are not formally assessed in terms of grades, students are required to reflect on their experiences and demonstrate how they have achieved the seven learning outcomes prescribed by the IB. These outcomes include attributes such as planning and initiative, perseverance, and developing new skills like problem-solving and decision-making.
One of the cornerstones of CAS is the CAS project, where students undertake a significant initiative that extends over an extended period. This project challenges them to take initiative, persevere through obstacles, and collaborate effectively with others. It serves as a culmination of their CAS experiences and encourages personal growth and development.
In conclusion, CAS at BSB is designed to be both challenging and enjoyable, encouraging students to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals who are not only academically capable but also socially conscious and culturally aware, preparing them for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
CAS is open to Year 12 and 13 Secondary students. Read more about our Secondary school here.