Our school recognizes, as stated in the mission statement, that education neither begins nor ends in the classroom or the examination hall. In fact, the essential aspects of education may exist outside both and the CAS program highlights this. An international education must go well beyond the provision of information and is inevitably involved in the development of attitudes and values which transcend barriers of race, class, religion, gender or politics. As per the IB design, CAS encompasses a broad range of extra-curricular activities including SAISA sports, creative pursuits, activities like COMUN and service to the community. The emphasis is on experiential learning and includes an expectation that students will be involved in a balanced range of activities reflecting creativity, action and service within this program.

Community service and service learning have a special place in OSC’s philosophy of education. At OSC students are encouraged to develop a positive and active approach towards service. In the Secondary School specific programs are offered to students which emphasize an awareness, concern and responsibility for service in the community. Some of these happen on a weekly basis (Thursday afternoons) after school while others are part of the Week Without Walls program (scheduled at the beginning of the 2^nd term). OSC has been working with several local charities and programs and has an excellent relationship with these community outreach programs. The destructive 2004 tsunami was a catalysis for the school’s long term involvement with several primary schools in Hambantota and Galle. DP students are also expected to take on leadership roles and are encouraged to initiate activities of their own. In the past students have organized and led medical clinics in the north of the country, played a key role in planning Thursday WWW service work, established recycling programs in their neighborhoods and much more.

DP students structure their CAS experience around seven learning outcomes that have been stipulated by the IB. These are broad ideas that help students focus their learning in the CAS program and help guide them in effective goals setting, action and reflection.

1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions