Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is at the heart of the IB Diploma Programme and complements the academic rigours of the diploma program in a holistic way. It is one of the three essential elements in every student's diploma experience. CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience and provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work.
The aim of the “Service" strand is for students to understand their capacity to make a meaningful contribution to their community and society. Through service, students develop and apply personal and social skills in real-life situations involving decision-making, problem-solving, initiative, responsibility and accountability for their actions. Service is often seen as one of the most transforming elements of CAS by promoting students' self-awareness, offering diverse occasions for interactions and experiences and opportunities for international-mindedness (IBO CAS guide, 2021).
Service within CAS benefits all involved: students learn as they identify and address authentic community needs, and the community benefits through reciprocal collaboration. Service fosters development of abilities, attitudes and values in accordance with the IB mission statement and the IB learner profile.
Please see below a service reflection from Year 11 Student, Rhea Garg
Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in “The Indian Trade Fair" where many businesswomen of Indian origin joined together to showcase their talent and creativity under one roof. Personally, this experience was extremely rewarding and inspiring as I was acknowledged and appreciated by the Chief guest Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and organiser Ms. Mona Bhasin as the youngest entrepreneur of the event. The best part of the event was the fact that I could blend my passion for art with a social cause. Through my art stall I was successful in raising $500 by selling my handmade art which is heavily focused on Indian folk-art designs. I decided to donate the funds raised to St John Crisis Centre, a charitable organisation supported by the QAHS Interact Club. This non-for-profit organisation provides food and other essential services to those who are less fortunate. By supporting this organisation, the Interact club aims to encourage their inspiring work and all their humanitarian efforts for those in need. Through my personal participation of the event, I learnt the importance of planning, time management and execution skills. Moreover, I also learnt the various strategies to attract customers and engage them. Overall, it turned out to be a great learning experience for me.
Alita Lee
Deputy Principal