A Year of CASing

by Grisela Ruiz Martí

Nothing stops our IBDP/IBCP students, not even a jam-packed academic calendar nor the occasional existential crisis over CAS reflections!

This year, they have done it all: from organising the first GESMUN and hosting a volleyball tournament, to leading Spirit Week and raising awareness on sustainability and responsible use of videogames. Some represented the school in the SEA Games, others organized the Musical Soirée, planned the Grade 12 Graduation, and hosted a chess tournament with over 100 players. Their energy and commitment to serving the school community have been unstoppable!

These are just a few CAS projects and experiences our IB students led within the school. Some went beyond school and used their German skills to run a German course to raise funds to support cancer screening, while others reached out to local communities to provide food, hygiene education, and care packages. Their creativity, compassion and commitment continue to make a real impact in and beyond school.

CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is more than a checkbox. It is one of the core components the IBDP and GIB, and it is a mandatory requirement for earning the prestigious Diploma Programme (DP). CAS serves as a vital counterbalance to the academic demands of the DP, offering students meaningful opportunities to grow beyond the classroom. Through CAS, students develop self-management skills by learning through experience. It encourages collaboration, reflection and nurtures essential life skills. Fuelled by student-driven initiatives, it brings energy and vibrancy to our school community. Without it, school life would be far less inspiring!

Many of our students begin their CAS journey feeling as if they were climbing Mount Everest. Many see it as a burden, just another requirement to complete in order to pass the DP. Some jokingly describe CAS as a “teacher conspiracy” to get them to do tasks no one else wants to do. Yet, some become so involved they become addicted to “CASing.”

By the end of Grade 12, however, most students agree that CAS has been a transformative experience. It pushes them beyond their comfort zones and gives them the nudge they need to explore interests they might never have pursued otherwise. CAS becomes the spark that helps them grow into more open-minded, risk-takers, and good communicators.

As CAS Coordinator, I would like to thank Mr. Ferrandon and Dr. Grandt for their deep knowledge and invaluable guidance, and Mrs. Steinberg, our Head of IBDP/IBCP, for her unwavering support. I am grateful to Mr. Frank, Head of School, for always saying “yes” to another CAS project every time I walked into his office, and to Mr. Ross, Director of Administration & Finance and all the Admin Team for making every school event possible. Finally, heartfelt thanks to the teachers who mentored our students, and to the parents for supporting their children quietly behind the scenes. And most importantly, to our IBDP/CP students, for their perseverance and resilience.

Without all of you, CAS would just be C.A.S., three lonely letters lacking Compassion, Attitude and Significance.