Hof Kleinenberg | Senior Secondary DP 2

DP 2 - Senior Secondary - CAS Project Exhibition

Date: 17th of March

The Creativity, activity, service Programme (CAS) is one of the core elements of holistic education. Students take initiative and complete community based projects related to those three concepts, with the idea that producing and giving to the community is equally important to developing oneself. Whilst doing this, students have the opportunity to integrate their skills to a higher level and grow towards becoming responsible citizens.

The students need to obtain a Pass for his/her CAS involvement in order to be able to graduate.

Creativity

This aspect of CAS is interpreted as imaginatively as possible to cover a wide range of arts and other experiences and projects outside the normal curriculum, which include creative thinking in the design and carrying out of service projects. This could involve doing dance, theatre, music, or it could involve taking on a leadership role and designing a service project.

Activity

The activity aspect of CAS can include:

• Participation in ‘expeditions’, camping trips
• Individual and team sports
• Physical activities outside of the normal curriculum
• Physical activity involved in carrying out creative and service projects
• Taking part in theatre plays or concerts on stage or backstage

Whilst complementing other elements in the DP, the activity is a major contributing factor to a healthy, positive and constructive lifestyle.

Service

Service involves interaction, such as the building of links with individuals or groups in the community. The service experience or project should be about giving to the community, it being the school, the local commune, and the province, national or international.

Service experiences should not only involve doing things for others but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment with them. The relationship should therefore show respect for the dignity and self-respect of others. It is an unpaid and voluntary exchange.

CAS encourages students to be creative, active and keen to serve others. The emphasis is on experiential learning through participation and experience; learning by doing real tasks that have real consequences and then reflecting on these experiences over time.

Successful completion of CAS is a graduation requirement for the Diploma Programme. The CAS programme should involve real purposeful experiences with significant outcomes, personal challenge, going beyond one’s comfort zone. The projects need careful consideration, planning, reviewing progress, reporting and reflections on the outcome for the community and personal learning.

The most meaningful CAS experience comes from spending time with others to build relationships and develop the self-worth of both server and served. In the design and construction of CAS schedules, students are asked to find a balance between the three areas Creativity, activity, service.

Students engage in creative, active and community service activities of their own choice and record details of these experiences and projects throughout the span of the diploma programme. They are expected to spend 3-4 hours per week (outside school hours) on CAS for at least 18 months. At the same time, attitude is what counts, not hours. CAS is about real commitment, being involved with others and doing your bit towards helping to create a better and more peaceful world.